GENERAL MISSION:
As a volunteer committee of the Annex Residents' Association, the Parks and Trees Committee has a focus on maintaining and strengthening the quality of life in the Annex through various interests and projects, including ensuring the integrity, maintenance, and renewal of our existing parks and the infrastructure of the urban forest, and developing new parks to increase the limited green and open space, and to better meet the needs of the community in enjoying and fostering close ties with the natural elements that help sustain the built environment. To this end, we work closely with the community and neighbourhoods and various working committees of the Annex, with the representatives of the City Parks, Forestry and Recreation Department, and with the ward Councillor Adam Vaughan and his office.

MEMBERS
Patrick Kennedy, Nena Hardie, Kristina Reinders, Louise Morin, Premika Ratnam, Ginny Brett, Michael Lo, Bobbi Speck and Paul Martel. Also, there are several other people interested in the subgroup considering dogs-off leash alternatives.

CHAIR - Paul Martel

VICE-CHAIR - Nena Hardie.

PARKS AND TREES COMMITTEE REPORT                                                         

The Parks and Trees Committee of the Annex Residents’ Association submits this brief report for the ARA Board Meeting of March 13, 2008, and some of the current initiatives:

 1.            Taddle Creek Park:   

Landscape Architects Janet Rosenberg & Associates are working on a revised concept and budget. We have asked them to make a few changes based on comments from the Parks, Forestry & Recreation Department as well as community comments. The city will be meeting with them shortly to discuss their revisions. Some of the elements we have asked them to look at are seating, playground details and location, and material selection, etc. An announcement is anticipated on the winner of the artists competition.

             For information, contact Jennifer Tharp at jtharp@toronto.ca

2.         ARA/Councillor Adam Vaughan Community Meeting, March 1, 2008
             Ideas for Off-Leash Areas for Dogs:
 
This is a report of the meeting March 1, 2008, 1.00 - 3.00 pm,  at Royal St. George's School Chapel, 120 Howland Avenue, Toronto,
held jointly by the Annex Residents' Association and Councillor Adam Vaughan, about Annex Parks: Ideas for Off Leash Areas for Dogs.
 
2.1.    In attendance were Councillor Adam Vaughan, Sandy Straw of Parks, Forestry and Recreation, a representative from Toronto Animal Services, Paul Martel on behalf of the ARA and Parks and Trees Committee; and approximately 40 community residents (38 signed the attendance list);
there were a number of regrets from persons wishing to attend the meeting but unable for various reasons.
Paul Martel chaired the meeting.
 
2.2.    Paul Martel presented a general overview of the existing Parks and open spaces in the Annex, using the large planning map for reference and description, which indicates existing parks, potential areas for additional open space development.
2.3.    Sandy Straw described the current city policies on People, Dogs and Parks - Off-leash policy, and the criteria for establishment of off-leash areas
in parks by community residents.
2.4.    Attendees provided comments and questions, relating to the existing parks and dogs/people relationships, including the cancellation of the existing off-leash areas at Sibelius Square, short term solutions while long term policies are being worked out, community involvement in the process of arriving at a solution, uses of parks for recreation by daycares and for-profit community services.
2.5.    Councillor Vaughan described potential areas for new off-leash options, including possible accommodation in existing parks space; other existing sites, including Howland Avenue Fire Station which may be relocated to another city location, and the resulting building and space available for community use; green p parking area north of the Spadina subway station, which could be linked with Ecology Park located adjacent; Lippincott Street green p parking lot (south of the Annex). Councillor Vaughan advised that the Parks land acquisition fund has substantial capital funds, which could assist in funding appropriate
space for off-leash areas for dogs.
2.6.    There were further comments and questions from the attendees; and general consensus to establish a working group, with the endorsement of the Councillor that it be community based and community lead; that the working group be balanced in membership and interests; that the Councillor will assist in facilitating the process; that Parks, Foresty and Recreation will assist in providing information on Parks and Open spaces to help the working group.
2.7.    A motion for the formation of the working group was proposed by Ian Lee, and including a friendly amendment proposed by John Vincett, both of whom are Annex residents.  The motion was voted on, with 22 in favour, no one opposed.
Refer to the attached motion.
2.8.    The next task is the establishment of the working group, including the chair/co-chair and membership, with a balanced representation and in a transparent manner.
2.9.    The Animal Services representative provided information on registering pets and the City's People, Dogs and Parks policy.

Paul Martel,
Chair Parks and Trees Committee ARA

           For information, contact Ange Kinnear at akinnear@toronto or Paul Martel at  paulmartel@bellnet.ca

5.       Proposed Farmers’ Market:   
Two meetings were held, attended by several delegates from the ARA Board and the Community as well as representatives from HVRA, HSRO, Bloor BIA and FMO.

Christine Innes and Helen Goldlist- both community reps. from the Annex - came forward as co-chairs.

A preliminary start-up budget, covering such cost as flyers, flyer distribution, sandwich boards, banners and incidentals has been estimated at $1,650. In-kind donations have been taken into account.

The committee is asking the ARA board to approve a pro-rated amount based on households in the ARA area so not an exact 3-way split.

There will be an opportunity to fundraise at the market by the 3 sponsoring Residents' Associations to recoup some of this money.

The market will start first week of June with a grand opening planned for June 11 or 18 depending on how the growing season progresses.

Location: Green P parking lot between Borden and Lippincott.

Suggestions for a name of the market are currently being collected.

The next MAC meeting will take place on April 7. For more information on Farmers Markets of Ontario, please visit www.farmersmarketontario.com.

Micky Fraterman,
ARA board representative on the Farmers' Market Advisory Committee

       Paul Martel, Chair Parks and Trees Committee, ARA, 35 Admiral Road, Toronto, Ontario  M5R 2L4.

       paulmartel@bellnet.ca  or  paulmartelarchitect@on.aibn.com