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Toronto City Council · 2023-07-19 · 2023.MM8.20

The filed record

Acquiring Strategic New Parkland for Residents Moving into Dense Neighbourhood on the East Side of Yonge North Secondary Plan - by Councillor Lily Cheng, seconded by Councillor James Pasternak

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The decision

2023-07-19 · Toronto City Council · amended

As filed

City Council on July 19 and 20, 2023, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, in consultation with the local Councillor, to identify potential parkland acquisition opportunities on the east side of the Yonge Street North Secondary Plan area, confirm available funding and seek Council authority for any required budget adjustments to pursue priority sites through City-led purchases, parkland dedication and other tools.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

Toronto's hundreds of parks are an invaluable feature of our great city. They provide a refreshing escape to green space, gardens and play structures-beloved destinations in our neighbourhooods. The COVID pandemic made us acutely aware of a local park's ability to encourage connected communities, offer social gathering spaces and promote vital mental health. The current number of nearby parks walkable to the new neighbourhood that will be established on the east side of the Yonge North Secondary Plan will not be sufficient to serve the projected 24-25 thousand residents reflected in the development pipeline.

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The east side of the Yonge North Secondary Plan area is presently served by Centre Park (1.1 hectares) which is a 13-minute walk from the northern boundary of the secondary plan. Goulding Park, a large park to the west (4.6 hectares) crosses a 6-lane major artery, serves the broader community and is also a 13-minute walk from the northern boundary. Additional parks providing a full range of functions and features are required to serve the significant growth underway in the area and ensure a high quality of life for existing and new residents. This motion is urgent because over 100 developments are currently in process for Willowdale Ward 18. It is fiscally responsible to purchase the parkland sooner anticipating increased land value once density further intensifies.

Staff recommended

Councillor Lily Cheng, seconded by Councillor James Pasternak, recommends that: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, in consultation with the local Councillor, to identify potential parkland acquisition opportunities on the east side of the Yonge Street North Secondary Plan area, identify and allocate appropriate funding sources and pursue priority sites through City-led purchases, parkland dedication and other tools.

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