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Northern Light

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The City has launched a public engagement exercise towards some level of re-do of the park in 2024.

Given the meager budget offered, I'm not sure this merits its own thread, but I know from my review of it as is, in the Problematic Park Design thread that many here are interested in and engaged with this park, so for those who are......here ya go!

Project Page:

www.toronto.ca

Barbara Hall Park Improvements

The City is collaborating with the local Church-Wellesley Village community to develop a new vision and Master Plan for Barbara Hall Park. The objectives of the park vision and Master Plan are to enhance the park’s function for everyday use and, as a central gathering space for the City’s...
www.toronto.ca www.toronto.ca

Not stated there, but having looked at the budget, this project, inclusive of design is allocated only $300,000 that will not go far at all!

Budget: (see p.12): https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/965e-2023-CAPTOR-Report-PFR-V1..pdf

For those wanting a bit of refresher on the issues, my post from the Problematic Park Design thread:

Problematic Park Design - Why Some Parks Don't Work

I'll occasionally visit friends in the Fairview Mall area and we'll spend time at Godstone Park. I always thought that park could use more tree cover and programming given its massive size (6 acres IIRC). Granted, that space is split between the middle school and City territory. Would love to...
urbantoronto.ca urbantoronto.ca

Now to tag the person who asked for that review, and those who 'liked' or commented immediately after:

@TossYourJacket , @Sky High Arch , @ADRM, @Patch , @TRONto and @toast_and_tea

***

If no other money were added to the budget 300k (270k for construction) would allow some minor fixes and one material change of some type (done well). Not a whole lot more.
 
Last edited:
Northern Light said:
The City has launched a public engagement exercise towards some level of re-do of the park in 2024.

Given the meager budget offered, I'm not sure this merits its own thread, but I know from my review of it as is, in the Problematic Park Design thread that many here are interested in and engaged with this park, so for those who are......here ya go!

Project Page:

www.toronto.ca

Barbara Hall Park Improvements

The City is collaborating with the local Church-Wellesley Village community to develop a new vision and Master Plan for Barbara Hall Park. The objectives of the park vision and Master Plan are to enhance the park’s function for everyday use and, as a central gathering space for the City’s...
www.toronto.ca www.toronto.ca

Not stated there, but having looked at the budget, this project, inclusive of design is allocated only $300,000 that will not go far at all!

Budget: (see p.12): https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/965e-2023-CAPTOR-Report-PFR-V1..pdf

For those wanting a bit of refresher on the issues, my post from the Problematic Park Design thread:

Problematic Park Design - Why Some Parks Don't Work

I'll occasionally visit friends in the Fairview Mall area and we'll spend time at Godstone Park. I always thought that park could use more tree cover and programming given its massive size (6 acres IIRC). Granted, that space is split between the middle school and City territory. Would love to...
urbantoronto.ca urbantoronto.ca

Now to tag the person who asked for that review, and those who 'liked' or commented immediately after:

@TossYourJacket , @Sky High Arch , @ADRM, @Patch , @TRONto and @toast_and_tea

***

If no other money were added to the budget 300k (270k for construction) would allow some minor fixes and one material change of some type (done well). Not a whole lot more.
Click to expand...
maybe they can buy a trash can with the money. Haha . Dont get me wrong i'm happy to see the some money, lets hope they get more. I see this money as more of fixing / maintenance to what has been damaged over the pandemic.
 
Northern Light said:
The City has launched a public engagement exercise towards some level of re-do of the park in 2024.

Given the meager budget offered, I'm not sure this merits its own thread, but I know from my review of it as is, in the Problematic Park Design thread that many here are interested in and engaged with this park, so for those who are......here ya go!

Project Page:

www.toronto.ca

Barbara Hall Park Improvements

The City is collaborating with the local Church-Wellesley Village community to develop a new vision and Master Plan for Barbara Hall Park. The objectives of the park vision and Master Plan are to enhance the park’s function for everyday use and, as a central gathering space for the City’s...
www.toronto.ca www.toronto.ca

Not stated there, but having looked at the budget, this project, inclusive of design is allocated only $300,000 that will not go far at all!

Budget: (see p.12): https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/965e-2023-CAPTOR-Report-PFR-V1..pdf

For those wanting a bit of refresher on the issues, my post from the Problematic Park Design thread:

Problematic Park Design - Why Some Parks Don't Work

I'll occasionally visit friends in the Fairview Mall area and we'll spend time at Godstone Park. I always thought that park could use more tree cover and programming given its massive size (6 acres IIRC). Granted, that space is split between the middle school and City territory. Would love to...
urbantoronto.ca urbantoronto.ca

Now to tag the person who asked for that review, and those who 'liked' or commented immediately after:

@TossYourJacket , @Sky High Arch , @ADRM, @Patch , @TRONto and @toast_and_tea

***

If no other money were added to the budget 300k (270k for construction) would allow some minor fixes and one material change of some type (done well). Not a whole lot more.
Click to expand...

Guess 1/3 of it will go to the public consultation? :rolleyes:

AoD
 
@Northern Light, I guess I'm gonna come out of my self-imposed exile/early-retirement for this one.

IMO, this is a tough challenge. A lot of the issues with this park aren't going to be solved with park design, but with programs to help with mental health, addiction, and homelessness. $300K will not fix that, obviously. I think a lot of the issues with Barbara Hall Park come down to that it doesn't feel safe much of the time. I can say I personally barely ever go there, despite living nearby, because it just doesn't feel safe. Maybe redesigning for more open sightlines, better lighting, etc will help, but I don't know.

Maybe this redesign can make it a better space for the events it hosts during Pride? That would be an easier task I suppose. Figuring out better ways to manage traffic flow, etc.
 
TossYourJacket said:
@Northern Light, I guess I'm gonna come out of my self-imposed exile/early-retirement for this one.

IMO, this is a tough challenge. A lot of the issues with this park aren't going to be solved with park design, but with programs to help with mental health, addiction, and homelessness. $300K will not fix that, obviously. I think a lot of the issues with Barbara Hall Park come down to that it doesn't feel safe much of the time. I can say I personally barely ever go there, despite living nearby, because it just doesn't feel safe. Maybe redesigning for more open sightlines, better lighting, etc will help, but I don't know.

Maybe this redesign can make it a better space for the events it hosts during Pride? That would be an easier task I suppose. Figuring out better ways to manage traffic flow, etc.
Click to expand...

In my earlier review of this park, I made suggestions I believe would help, from a design perspective. I certainly agree there are broader social issues at play, both generally and in a site-specific way.

I'm not convinced that the money allotted is sufficient to address those design consderations I outlined; however; and needless to say, absent broader investment, any design changes would fall short of ideal.

***

PS, stop being retired, your more active presence is missed.
 
Barbara Hall Park is in the 2024 Capital budget for just over a quarter million.

1705027069039.png
 
Northern Light said:
Survey on the this project is up:

Towards a Vision: Barbara Hall Park Improvements

s-ca.chkmkt.com s-ca.chkmkt.com

From the survey:

View attachment 557874
Click to expand...
As it is a very small park, I doubt all of this could actually fit! Maybe its time to decide if we want parks that offer everything to everyone poorly or offer top rate facilities to most people. If the 519 and the Park were 'programmed' together it could be better - shared toilets, 519 cafe opening onto park etc etc.
 
DSC said:
As it is a very small park, I doubt all of this could actually fit! Maybe its time to decide if we want parks that offer everything to everyone poorly or offer top rate facilities to most people. If the 519 and the Park were 'programmed' together it could be better - shared toilets, 519 cafe opening onto park etc etc.
Click to expand...

I may have submitted similar commentary. ;)
 
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