Request to Accept Bequest for Riverdale Farm - by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, seconded by Councillor James Pasternak

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The decision

2020-07-28 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on July 28 and 29, 2020, adopted the following: 1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to accept the gift of $200,000 from the estate of Donald Henry Reid, for the purpose of investing in projects at Riverdale Farm in accordance with the estate wishes, in compliance with the Donations to the City of Toronto for Community Benefits Policy. 2. City Council express, for

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the record, and on behalf of the residents of Toronto, its deep appreciation for this generous gift from the late Donald Henry Reid that will benefit Riverdale Farm, the creatures who live there and the many thousands of visitors who will enjoy this beloved park for years to come.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

Parks, Forestry and Recreation has been notified by the estate lawyer for the late Donald Henry Reid of Toronto that the estate wishes to give the City of Toronto a $200,000 bequest to support Riverdale Farm. Without imposing a formal trust, the estate would like to see the funds invested in the living quarters for the farm animals. Under the Donations to the City of Toronto for Community Benefit Policy, donations in excess of $50,000 must be approved by City Council.

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The Motion seeks City Council authority for the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to accept this generous donation. Mr. Reid was a retired CBC set decorator with no immediate family. He died in 2019 following complications from a bicycle accident. A dedicated cyclist, he continued to be active on his bike into his senior years. He loved Toronto's parks, including Riverdale Farm, and also believed in improving the lives of at-risk youth. He has made other gifts to organizations sharing those values. The bequest from Mr. Reid for Riverdale Farm would be deposited in a Parks, Forestry and Recreation deferred revenue account, to provide time for staff to propose how best to invest the funds at the Farm. Once a project is identified, it will be advanced through the normal budget process. This Motion is deemed urgent because staff have already received the bequest cheque.

Staff recommended

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, seconded by Councillor James Pasternak, recommends that: 1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to accept the gift of $200,000 from the estate of Donald Henry Reid, for the purpose of investing in projects at Riverdale Farm in accordance with the estate wishes, in compliance with the Donations to the City of Toronto for Community Benefits Policy. 2. City

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Council express, for the record, and on behalf of the residents of Toronto, its deep appreciation for this generous gift from the late Donald Henry Reid that will benefit Riverdale Farm, the creatures who live there and the many thousands of visitors who will enjoy this beloved park for years to come.

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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