City of Windsor Parks Department Willistead Park Public Meeting Tuesday, December 9, 2014 5:00 p.m. to 7:00pm
Willistead Park Classification Willistead Park is designated a Regional Park under the City s Parks Master Plan. Regional Parks are the largest parks in our park system. They have the broadest range of amenities and uses and are designed for the greater Windsor/Essex population including visitors, tourist and guests to the area. Willistead Park is designated a Heritage Site under the Ontario Heritage Act. Willistead was the first heritage designation in Windsor, with its By-law passed by Council on January 12, 1976. The designation was revised with Bylaw No. 149-2012 on October 15, 2012, to include building and property features. The Windsor Heritage Committee advises Council on proposed changes to the property
Purpose of Today s Meeting The City of Windsor Parks Department is requesting your feedback to help us gain valuable information regarding your hopes and aspirations for Willistead Park. We are here to listen to your ideas and concerns regarding the park and to collect information on future park development needs. The City of Windsor Parks Department is here to discuss with the community : 1. Items being proposed to the Heritage Committee in early 2015, including: Enhancements of the FOUR existing gates Alteration to re-establish a pedestrian gate to the main entrance on Niagara St. Rehabilitation of the Queen Victoria Jubilee Fountain Restoration of the South Garden Parterre 2. Arboretum Concept for the tree planting that has occurred this Fall 3. Process for any Future work in Willistead Park RATIONALE: A. To comply with directives established in designation Bylaws passed by Council in 1976 and 2012, which designated the property and the manor as heritage features. B. To become compliant with the AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) 2005, S.O. 2005, CHAPTER 11 which requires Public Sector Organizations (including the City of Windsor) to make public spaces barrier-free by January 2016. C. Ensure the longevity of this civic Heritage Resource for all Windsorites
1. Initiation of a Proposed Project a) Issued Identified by City Inspections b) Private citizens Proposal c) Direction of the Willistead Board of Directors d) Budget Item from City Council 2. Development of Conceptual Ideas 3. Application to the Heritage Committee a) Recommendations which may or may/not include Public Consultation 4. Primary Public Consultation to review proposed concepts 5.NEXT STEPS: a) Summarize Feedback from Public Consultation b) Review with Willistead Board of Directors c) Establish preliminary cost estimates d) Make appropriate Revisions to Heritage Committee Application 6. Heritage Committee Meeting a) 2 nd opportunity for Public input through Delegations b) Recommendations for 1. Further revisions, or 2. Proceed to Council for resolution, or 3. Denial 7. Council Meeting Agenda a) 3rd opportunity for Public input through Delegations b) Approval i. Direction how to proceed including ii. Conditions not limited to: Prioritization Procurement process Timeframes Upward budget c) Or Council Recommendations to revise and Defer or Nonapproved
1904 to 1906, Manor buildings erected by Edward Chandler Walker (1851-1915) son of Hiram Walker (1816-1899) Tudor-Jacobean Revival-style, during Edwardian Period by Architect Albert Kahn Consisting of Manor House, Coach House, Gate House on 6.2 hectare property 1910, Main Gates Carriage way Pedestrian gate 1914-1915, Property improvements Fences and Gates by Architects Stahl Kinsey & Chapman Neo-Grecian Porch relocated from Hiram Walker s Manor house in Detroit 1921, Donated by Mary Walker (E.Chandler s Widow) to Town of Walkerville Manor becomes Walkerville Town Hall And, Walkerville Public Library (until 1978) Coach house became Police Station 1935, Walkerville amalgamated with the City of Windsor 1958, Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Fountain relocated to south end of Manor from Railway Station 1959-1975 Manor repurposed as Art Gallery Art in the Park established 1971 1976, Heritage Designation of Buildings & Park Site 1978, Manor restorations begin 1981, Manor repurposed as Banquet Hall Parking lot and unit pavers installed to formalize existing paths 1994-1996, Paul Martin Sr. Gardens 2000, Park Improvements Vintage Lamp Standards installed Gardeners Shed Landscaping 2005, Rotary Wheel installed North of the Manor 2012, Revised heritage designation by-law 2013, Pathways re-established To comply to AODA standards & Year-round accessibility Council Direction to address Gates and Queen Victory Fountain 2011-2014, Gate House restoration work 2014, Proposals for Park restorations
Willistead Park Aerial Photo 1949 Manor House North Gate And Gate House East Gate (Devonshire) Coach House Parterre Greenhouse & Vegetable Garden West Gate (Chilver) South Gate (Richmond)
Willistead Park Aerial Photo 2013 Manor House North Gate And Gate House East Gate (Devonshire) Coach House Celtic Cross Garden & Queen Victoria Fountain West Gate (Chilver) South Gate (Richmond)
Willistead Park Proposed Site Layout Manor House North Gate And Gate House East Gate (Devonshire) Coach House Restored Parterre & Fountain West Gate (Chilver) Recent Pathway Improvements South Gate (Richmond)
Willistead Park Arboretum Proposal North Gate And Gate House Manor House East Gate (Devonshire) Restored Parterre & Fountain Coach House West Gate (Chilver) Recent Pathway Improvements South Gate (Richmond)
When debuted in 2015 the Arboretum will showcase 400+ trees of 125 Cultivars
Pere Marquette Railway Station & Victoria Fountain (source Detroit Yes! Photo circa 1910) Queen Victoria Fountain with Pipe Rail (source Walkerville Times Photo circa 1954) The Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Fountain and Horse Trough, moved to its present location south of the manor house in 1958, is currently located in a high-traffic area at the junction of five paths. The proposed path layout includes the construction of a small plaza around the fountain to protect the limestone base from salt, mechanical damage and vandalism. The surrounding plaza will consist of a natural stone paving. The area would only be accessible to pedestrians and mobility devices. Along with improved lighting near the fountain, the proposed removal of the 3 Globe Norway Maples through the reconstruction of the south parterre garden will help improve sight-lines from the Manor itself to ward off unwanted activity. Queen Victoria Fountain and Celtic Garden at terminus of the Willistead Tree Allée (2014)
Existing Condition Proposed Rehabilitation GOALS: 1. Restore Fountain with a setting complementary to that which existing in the original location at Pere Marquette Railway Station. 2. Provide a setting for park users to ENJOY the fountain 3. Integrate the Fountain with its immediate park surroundings 4. Rehabilitate the South Garden to better reflect the original design as a parterre 5. Make the paths accessible 6. Restore the original curbs(now buried) and staircase to the Manor 7. Low ornamental fence surrounding both the garden and fountain to aid in protection
Proposed Queen Victoria Fountain Restoration Proposed Parterre Garden Restoration 15
Willistead Parterre Garden (c1914 )showing details of original garden and steps (Walkerville Times Photo, courtesy of Southwestern Ontario Digital Archives) Current Celtic Cross Garden with narrowed walks and remaining three of four Globe Maples planted in the 1980's. The proposal for the landscape south of the Manor also includes, restoring the Parterre Garden as shown archival photography from the 1920s. This will require changing the Celtic Cross Garden located between the fountain and the manor house. Parterre Garden (1921) looking south side of Willistead Manor showing; parterre pattern, established tree allée, circular pool or garden, wide walks, and existing peripheral edge (Walkerville Times Photo courtesy of Southwestern Ontario Digital Archives). Restoration will also result in wider accessible pathways than currently exist (see above) but more characteristic of the original plan (see images to the left). The horse trough near of the fountain would become the centerpiece of the restored garden, where a bird bath once stood (see top left image). Willistead Parterre Garden (1926 )showing details of original garden and steps (Walkerville Times Photo, courtesy of Southwestern Ontario Digital Archives) Removal/relocation of the poorly placed globe maples in the Celtic Cross Garden will also restore the southern vista from the manor down the allée of trees, as well improve sight-lines from the Manor to Fountain for improved security.
Original North Gates at Niagara c. 1910 showing pedestrian gate near gate house (Photo from Detroit Publishing Company) Current North Gates widened for motorized vehicles. Proposed North Gate Plan 17 ft Concept Drawing of Main (Niagara Street) Gateway looking North Concept Drawing of Main (Niagara Street) Gateway looking South The proposal is to restore a separate pedestrian entrance with a small plaza to the east of the main gate linking directly to the path system with an accessible route to the manor; eliminating potential conflicts with vehicles. The proposed gate would include two metal posts with materials similar to the original fencing, with small peaks at their tops. Existing limestone columns would not be altered or relocated, and would remain the dominant visual feature of the north entry; the secondary metal posts would be functional but not call attention to them.
Existing : West Carriage Gate along Chilver Proposed West Gate Enhancement Plan Other entrance gates will include: Small plazas proposed to be installed at each entrance (with the exception of the coach house pedestrian gate) to provide a transition from the park paths to the city sidewalk. The plazas would contain relevant signage for the park and accessible information. 24 ft 6 in The materials for the plazas will consist of concrete banding and natural stone infill paving. No new gate locations are proposed along the perimeter fencing.
Exisitng East Pedestrian Gate along Devonshire Rd. Proposed East Gate Enhancement Plan 17 ft 13 ft Concept of East (Devonshire Road) Gateway (Similar exterior treatment to be seen on South (Richmond Street) Gate
Furnishings: Benches and interpretive signage to be placed at the proposed plazas would provide rest areas as per the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the City s Facility Accessibility Design Standards (FADS). Benches and trash/recycling receptacles will be standardized Walkerville BIA design Existing : South Pedestrian Gate along Richmond Proposed South Gate Enhancement Plan 21 ft 21 ft Concept of South (Richmond Street) Gateway
Willistead Park Conceptual Site Features & Amenities Park Benches Similar to the other alterations recommended, the use of natural stone paving to achieve an accessible surface would be the most appropriate and help connect the gardens of the manor house to the periphery of the park. Associated with all four of the gateways would be ancillary park amenities including standardized Walkerville benches and trash receptacles, as well as modest vegetative plantings where warranted Interpretive Signage Interpretive markers both external to the site and internal to the grounds at the gateways, would demonstrate the relationship of that entrance or immediate grounds and their relationship to Willistead Manor, the Walker Family as well as, other important architecture, people and events in area, in close proximity to a particular entrances. Some suggestions for interpretative plaques are as follows: North Gate - Internal Signs Willistead Manor Gatehouse The Arboretum North Gate - External Signs The Gates St Mary s Church Architecturally significant residences along Niagara or north of the Park East Gate Devonshire (2) Walker Portico Paul Martin Gardens Hiram Walker s executives homes development Architecturally significant residences east of the Park South Gate Richmond (2) History of the Park itself Park trees and continued restorations on the site Architecturally significant residences south of the Park West Gate Chilver (3-4) Former Greenhouse and Vegetable Gardens Coach House Carriage access from Chilver Architecturally significant residences on west of the Park
City of Windsor Parks Department THANK-YOU FOR ATTENDING the Willistead Park Public Meeting Please remember to complete your feedback questionnaire so we may understand your approval rating of the proposed enhancements.