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Agenda - Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee - 20240118Town of Aurora Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Date:Thursday, January 18, 2024 Time:7 p.m. Location:Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall Meetings are available to the public in person and via live stream on the Town’s YouTube channel. To participate, please visit aurora.ca/participation. Pages 1.Call to Order 2.Land Acknowledgement 3.Approval of the Agenda 4.Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof 5.Receipt of the Minutes 5.1 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 21, 2023 1 That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 21, 2023, be received for information. 1. 6.Delegations 7.Matters for Consideration 7.1 Memorandum from Collections and Exhibitions Coordinator; Re: Community Reflection Space 5 That the memorandum regarding Community Reflection Space be received; and 1. That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee comments regarding Community Reflection Space be received and referred to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate. 2. 8.Informational Items 8.1 Memorandum from Manager, Recreation; Re: Recreation Needs Assessment for Persons with Disabilities - Follow-up 12 That the memorandum regarding Recreation Needs Assessment for Persons with Disabilities - Follow-up be received for information. 1. 9.New Business 10.Adjournment Town of Aurora Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Date: Time: Location: Thursday, December 21, 2023 7 p.m. Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall Committee Members: Councillor Ron Weese (Chair) Irene Clement Jessie Fraser* Shaheen Moledina* Mayor Tom Mrakas* (Ex-officio Member) Members Absent: Michelle Dakin (Vice Chair) David Gren Adrian Martin Corrina Tai Other Attendees: Lisa Warth, Manager, Recreation Matthew Volpintesta, Manager, Parks and Fleet* Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator *Attended electronically _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. Land Acknowledgement The Committee acknowledged that the meeting took place on Anishinaabe lands, the traditional and treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island, recognizing the many other Nations whose presence here continues to this day, the special relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this territory, and that Aurora has shared responsibility for the stewardship of these lands and waters. It was noted that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the Page 1 of 13 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Thursday, December 21, 2023 2 Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams Treaties of 1923. 3. Approval of the Agenda Moved by Irene Clement Seconded by Jessie Fraser That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved. Carried 4. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50. 5. Receipt of the Minutes 5.1 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 19, 2023 Moved by Shaheen Moledina Seconded by Irene Clement 1. That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 19, 2023, be received for information. Carried 6. Delegations None. 7. Matters for Consideration 7.1 Memorandum from Manager, Recreation; Re: Recreation Needs Assessment for Persons with Disabilities Lisa Warth provided a brief overview of the project scope, community engagement and timelines, and introduced the project consultants. Jodi Ball and Gabrielle Peters of J Consulting Group facilitated the discussion Page 2 of 13 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Thursday, December 21, 2023 3 and invited Committee members to share their experiences and insights on inclusive recreation programs and services, needs and gaps, delivery of programs, and expectations of the assessment. The Committee provided feedback and discussed various elements including: the need for fully accessible playground and greater information on accessibility of parks and trails, including on the AccessNow app; the need for more summer camp spaces and staff training to make summer camp programs more accessible for children with special needs or behaviours; the need for a study of existing and changing demographics of Aurora; the need for a clear understanding of what the Town already provides as a baseline from an accessible and inclusive standpoint; the importance of also surveying caregivers and family of participants with lived experiences; outreach to York Region Early Intervention Services and school boards to help support accuracy of survey; connect with local sports organizations re best practices; the need for better communication, in multiple languages, on the programs and supports currently available in Town; inclusion vs integration/segregation; and identification of barriers such as financial, transportation, and equipment. Discussion on expectations included: recognizing the link and possible gaps between programs and services and related built facilities; how to address desired services that may not fall within the purview of the Town; comparator information from other municipalities, public and private organizations and service providers; outcome that includes broad range of demographics, types of disabilities, best practices, solutions, and priorities; and opportunities to build on or create partnerships with other groups. Moved by Irene Clement Seconded by Shaheen Moledina 1. That the memorandum regarding Recreation Needs Assessment for Persons with Disabilities be received; and 2. That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee comments regarding Recreation Needs Assessment for Persons with Disabilities be received and referred to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate. Carried Page 3 of 13 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Thursday, December 21, 2023 4 8. Informational Items None. 9. New Business None. 10. Adjournment Moved by Irene Clement Seconded by Shaheen Moledina That the meeting be adjourned at 8:14 p.m. Carried Page 4 of 13 100 John West Way Aurora, Ontario L4G 6J1 (905) 727-3123 aurora.ca Town of Aurora Memorandum Community Services Re: Community Reflection Space To: Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee From: Michelle Johnson, Collections and Exhibitions Coordinator Date: January 18, 2024 Recommendation 1. That the memorandum regarding Community Reflection Space be received; and 2. That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee comments regarding Community Reflection Space be received and referred to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate. Background On January 16, 2023, the Town’s Indigenous Relations Committee (IRC), discussed establishing a public space for the community to gather and share condolences related to Truth and Reconciliation. The absence and importance of such a space within Aurora was identified and a small working group comprised of IRC members met to determine possible locations, features and project scope. On February 13, 2023, the IRC was presented with the findings of the working group. The scope of the space was modified to include reflection for all tragic situations regardless of their location and cause. Some recent examples include the conflicts in Ukraine, Israel and Palestine respectively. As a result of inter-department consultation, staff identified the eastern parkette within the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Park as an ideal location for a Community Reflection Space. A funding request is included in the 2024 and 2025 budgets to advance this project, including consultation and capital costs. On November 21, 2023, a report was submitted to Council, which contained the following recommendations: Page 5 of 13 Community Reflection Space January 18, 2024 Page 2 of 3 1. That Report No. CMS23-050 be received; and 2. That Council approve proceeding with the design of a Community Reflection Space; and 3. That Council approve the eastern portion of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Park as the preferred site for the Community Reflection Space. The first two recommendations passed, and the third failed. Council requested that staff engage in public consultation prior to an area being selected. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee is being asked to provide comments on location options, possible features, and amenities for the Community Reflection Space. Analysis There is a need for a dedicated public space within Aurora for the purpose of bringing the community together when faced with tragic histories and current events. Events that provoke public grieving occur spontaneously at the local, national and global level. Whether it’s a fatal accident, findings related to past atrocities, or the escalation of an armed conflict, members of the public are often confronted with tragic news. A designated Community Reflection Space acknowledges the complexity of emotions evoked during tragic circumstances and the importance of community gathering to our collective wellbeing. The creation of a reflection space would provide a consistent location for the community to come together in times of sorrow, with a unified purpose of paying respects to those affected by tragic events. Staff have identified potential locations for a dedicated Community Reflection Space, which include: 1) Lambert Willson Park 2) Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Park 3) Town Hall 4) Town Park The intention of the Community Reflection Space is to operate year-round, and it will require specific features and amenities, including, but not limited to: • Security lighting • Benches Page 6 of 13 Community Reflection Space January 18, 2024 Page 3 of 3 • Weatherproof shelter and changeable signage • Inclusion of a public art component • Flagpole Attachments Maps of potential sites: 1. Town Hall 2. Town Park 3. Lambert Willson Park 4. Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Park Page 7 of 13 John West WayAmberhill Way Aurora Town Hall:Proposed Reflection Space &Pathways Requiring Additional ServicePathways Requiring Additional ServiceMap created for the Town of Aurora Community Services Department, 2023-12-12. Base data provided by York Region & the Town of Aurora. Air Photos taken Spring 2023, © First Base Solutions Inc., 2023 Orthophotography.k01020MetresPath Distance (7 Metres)7 MetresProposed Reflection Space (Option#1)Attachment 1Page 8 of 13 Larmont StreetWells StreetMosley StreetAurora Town Park:Proposed Reflection Space &Pathways Requiring Additional ServicePathways Requiring Additional ServiceMap created for the Town of Aurora Community Services Department, 2023-12-12. Base data provided by York Region & the Town of Aurora. Air Photos taken Spring 2023, © First Base Solutions Inc., 2023 Orthophotography.k01020MetresPath Distance (25 Metres)Proposed Reflection Space (Option #2)97 Metres25 MetresPath Distance (97 Metres)Proposed Reflection Space (Option#1)Attachment 2Page 9 of 13 Lambert Willson Park / the Arboretum : Proposed Reflection Space & Pathways Requiring Additional ServicePathways Requiring Additional ServiceMap created for the Town of Aurora Community Services Department, 2023-12-12. Base data provided by York Region & the Town of Aurora. Air Photos taken Spring 2023, © First Base Solutions Inc., 2023 Orthophotography.k03060MetresPath Distance (315 Metres)Proposed Reflection Space (Option #2)315 Metres41 MetresPath Distance (41 Metres)Proposed Reflection Space (Option#1)Aurora Community Arboretum BoundaryLambert Willson Park BoundaryAttachment 3Page 10 of 13 John West WayHollandviewTrailCivic Square GateQueen's Diamond Jubilee Park:Proposed Reflection Space &Pathways Requiring Additional ServicePathways Requiring Additional ServiceMap created for the Town of Aurora Community Services Department, 2023-12-08. Base data provided by York Region & the Town of Aurora. Air Photos taken Spring 2023, © First Base Solutions Inc., 2023 Orthophotography.k01020MetresPath Distance (110 Metres)Proposed Reflection Space110 MetresAttachment 4Page 11 of 13 100 John West Way Aurora, Ontario L4G 6J1 (905) 727-3123 aurora.ca Town of Aurora Memorandum Community Services Re: Recreation Needs Assessment for Persons with Disabilities – Follow-up To: Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee From: Lisa Warth, Manager, Recreation Date: January 18, 2024 Recommendation 1. That the memorandum regarding Recreation Needs Assessment for Persons with Disabilities – Follow-up be received for information. Background On Thursday December 21, 2023, Jodi Ball and Gabrielle Peters from J Consulting Group attended the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting to have a conversation and ask questions to help inform the Needs Assessment. The Committee discussed questions such as:  What do you think the Recreation Needs Assessment for Persons with a Disability should tell us?  Are you aware of any positive examples of accessible and inclusive recreational programming?  In your opinion, how can we improve recreational programming for persons with disabilities in Aurora? Several other questions were also discussed. The conversation was informative and productive and will assist the consultants in completing the Needs Assessment. Page 12 of 13 Recreation Needs Assessment for Persons with Disabilities – Follow-up January 18, 2024 Page 2 of 2 Analysis As a follow-up to the conversation with the consultants, staff wish to make committee members aware of further opportunities to inform the needs assessment and to share information on the project with others. There are a series of community engagement initiatives taking place during January and February and will include an online survey, telephone survey, focus groups and interviews with the general public, community groups, service providers, persons with disabilities and families and caregivers of persons with disabilities. All this information can be found on the Town’s website on the Engage Aurora platform engageaurora.ca/RNA. Attachments None. Page 13 of 13