Authorization to Release Section 37 Funds to Toronto District School Board for Ossington-Old Orchard Junior Public School Playground - by Councillor Ana Bailão, seconded by Councillor Mike Layton

Section 37 funds have been secured and received from the development at 871 to 899 College Street to be allocated towards park improvements within the proximity of the site within the boundaries of Ward 9. The use of Section 37 funds is appropriate as the Section 37 Implementation Guidelines (section 5.9) approved by Council in 2007 states: "Cash contributions toward the capital improvement of school board playgrounds are eligible S.37 community benefits where the playground serves as a local park, where the public will continue to have reasonable access for the foreseeable future, and where there is no local City-owned parkland performing a similar function in the same community that could otherwise benefit from the cash contribution." The funds will be forwarded to the Toronto District School Board once the School Board has entered into a Community Access Agreement with the City, governing the purpose of the funds, the financial reporting requirements, and addressing community access to the improved facilities, to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, prepared in consultation with the General Manager, Parks Forestry and Recreation and the Ward Councillor.

2. City Council request City staff from the Management Services Branch, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to participate in the preparation of the Community Access Agreement and City Council request the City Solicitor to draw up the Agreement, in consultation with the Ward Councillor and Community Planning staff, provided acceptable terms can be agreed upon. 3. City Council authorize the execution of a Community Access Agreement with the Toronto District School Board for the capital improvements to the playgrounds at Ossington - Old Orchard Junior Public School, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation , and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 4. City Council direct that the funds be forwarded to the Toronto District School Board once the Toronto District School Board has signed a Community Access Agreement with the City, governing the purpose of the funds, the financial reporting requirements, and addressing community access to the playground facilities. 5. City Council direct that the funds be used for: a new asphalt walkway around playing field for a run / walk / bike path around field; new sand pit; a new Inclusive and Accessible Playground; a Natural Play Area; and upgraded basketball courts.