WELCOME OLD SOUTH The Green Community Input Session April 6, 2017
AGENDA Welcome/Introductions Project History Heritage Status Existing Conditions What We ve Heard to Date Design Principles Concept Plan Community Input Wrap Up
PROJECT HISTORY September 2004 Community led initiative to retain building and The Green in public ownership. February 2014 City acquires building and The Green. April 29, 2015 YMCA leases building. Doors open April 2017. November 2015 Discussions with OSGO and community starts. November 10, 2015 OSCO meeting April 14, 2016 Online Survey launched May 25, 2016 OSCO June 3, 2016 Gathering on the Green February 14, 2017 OSCO meeting August 2016 YMCA Opens April 6, 2017 Community Input Session
HERITAGE PROTECTION The Normal School/The Green is one of the most valued and protected heritage landmarks in the City of London. It is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act and under the Wortley Village Heritage Conservation District. A Heritage Conservation Easement is held by the Ontario Heritage Trust on the property.
HERITAGE PROTECTION 1922 1945
1898, the Normal School built as a training facility for elementary school teachers, 1958, the Normal School was abandoned as a teachers training facility and converted to a junior high school, 1963, the building was converted to the administrative offices of the London Board of Education, 1985, the province sold the grounds to the London and Middlesex County Roman Catholic School Board to house their administrative offices, 1985, the city places a heritage designation, and the Ontario Heritage Trust applies a Heritage Conservation Easement on the site, 2004, the Catholic school board relocates, 2014, the City of London purchases the site. The Normal School
The Heritage Conservation Easement Agreement Site protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust. A Heritage Conservation Easement Agreement is in place in order to conserve the aesthetic and scenic character and condition of the building and grounds. The Agreement outlines that the City of London shall not without approval of the Trust: Remove, destroy or cut trees, shrubs and other vegetation Plant trees, shrubs and other vegetation which would reduce the aesthetics of the property or causing any damage to the property Allow any activities, actions or uses detrimental to water conservation, erosion control or soil conservation Allow any changes in the general appearance or topography of the property, including the digging of construction ditches, erection of transmission towers as well as the excavation, dredging or removal of loam, gravel, soil, rock or other materials. Ontario Heritage Trust could support the 3 options for park improvements that are in keeping with the Agreement restrictions.
Existing Conditions Annual Community Events Open Space Overgrown shrubs at corner. Desire Lines Hazard Trees Trees nearing end of life span
Tree Assessment
Event Schedule 2016 Events 1. May 1 Walk So Kids Can Talk 2. June 3-5 Gathering on the Green 3. June 21 Aboriginal Solidarity Day 4. July 5 Collector Car Show 2016 5. July 16 Movie Night 6. August 23 Collector Car Show 2016 7. August 28 Wortley Village Jazz & Blues Festival 2016 8. October 1&2 Culture Days 2016 9. October 29 Halloween in the Village 2017 Requests for The Green to date. 1.Gathering on Green June 2 & 3, 2017 2. Collector Car Show June 20, 2017 4pm 9pm RAIN DATE - June 27, 2017 4pm 9pm 3.The Social Beehive Inspiration Fest 2017 July 23-9:30am 7:00pm 4. The Maker Gather August 12, 2017-11am 6:00pm 5. Collector Car Show August 22, 2017 4pm 9pm
The Survey Over the month of April 2016, the City distributed flyers to residents in the Old South Community, inviting anyone interested to weigh in on visions for The Green. The public were asked to review three options being considered and then asked to choose which option represented their vision for The Green. The response was excellent; the City received 1,078 responses
The Survey Results Leave it as it is- No Development Passive Green Leave As Is Passive Green - Minimal Improvements Event Space Event Space Moderate Improvements CITY OF LONDON
Design Principles: Respect Heritage Designation Maintain Open Space Manage Healthy Trees + Plant New Trees Manage park use for events Retain Soccer Field(s) Provide Hydro and Water for Community events Improve accessibility of site Provide appropriate seating area/benches Improve turf conditions Address desire lines across park
The Options
Proposed Concept Plan Link to the YMCA Electrical and water hookups Realigned soccer fields Pathway New trees Existing trees Benches Corner Feature
Amenity Examples -1 2m wide paths- asphalt, concrete, granular Native Shade Trees Bench CITY OF LONDON Electrical pillar
Amenity Examples Doidge Park- Corner Feature Picadilly Park- Streetfront Feature Victoria Park- Garden Seating Feature
Accessibility The requirements under the Design of Public Spaces Standard apply to new construction and the redevelopment of elements in public spaces. Accessibility benefits everyone. Good public spaces are planned and designed from the beginning with accessibility in mind. Accessibility by design can provide people with disabilities with more opportunities to work, shop, travel and play independently. The City of London is inviting comments and suggestions from residents regarding the accessible design feature(s) of this project, as required by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. More specifically, the City would like to consult on the following items: Recreational trails: Slope of trail (if it exceeds our standards) Need for and location of ramps Need for and location and design of Rest Areas, Passing Areas, Viewing Areas Amenities on the trail Any other pertinent features
Public Input: 1. Input Sought from Public: 2. General Comments on proposed plan 3. Pathway alignment? Surface treatment? 4. Signage- Historical/Cultural? 5. Bench Locations 6. Tree Planting 7. Accessibility of Recreational trails: 1. Slope of trail (if it exceeds our standards) 2. Need for and location of ramps 3. Need for and location and design of Rest Areas, Passing Areas, Viewing Areas 4. Amenities on the trail 5. Any other pertinent features 8. Corner Features
Next Steps Following public input and finalization of a concept plan for The Green: 1. Post the final concept plan on City website and on sign in Park www.london.ca/thegreen. 2. Hire a consultant to prepare documentation required by the Ontario Heritage Trust. 3. A package will be submitted to the Ontario Heritage Trust for their approval to proceed. Also, an application for a Heritage Alteration Permit will be required from the City. 4. Following approval by the Ontario Heritage Trust and receiving an alteration permit, anticipated tree planting and construction would commence in the autumn 2017/spring 2018.
The Survey Detailed Results Common requests: 77 - Tree planting 19 - Benches 19 - Better Maintenance 21 - Pathway