DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning & Urban Design
	PREPARED BY:	Linda Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Development
	DATE OF MEETING:	March 1, 2005
	SUBJECT:	Preparation of a Town-wide Pathways and Trails Master Plan

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report to Development Service Committee dated March 1, 2005 entitled “Preparation of a Town-wide Pathways and Trails Master Plan” be received;

THAT Council endorse the use of the balance of funds, in the amount of $69,106, in Planning and Urban Design’s Capital Account #59-5350-2525-005 (formerly a Parks Construction and Maintenance account for pathway link construction) for the purpose of creating a “Town-wide Pathways and Trails Master Plan”;

THAT, Council approve the retention of a consultant in accordance with Purchasing By-law 2004-341 to develop a “Town-wide Pathways and Trails Master Plan” and that funding be provided from Planning and Urban Design’s Capital Account #59-5350-2525-005, “Pathways”;

AND FURTHER THAT, staff provide regular updates to Development Services Committee on the progress of the “Town-wide Pathways and Trails Master Plan”.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to seek Council’s endorsement of the use of the balance of funds, in the amount of $69,106, in Planning and Urban Design’s Capital Account #59-5350-2525-005 (formerly a Parks Construction and Maintenance account for pathway link construction) for the purpose of hiring a consultant to prepare a “Town-wide Pathways and Trails Master Plan”. The purpose of the plan is to identify links and extensions of existing trails as well as create new pathway trail connections through the Town’s parks, valley land and open space system. The objective of the plan is to create a system of connected trails throughout the Town in accordance with the strategic priorities in the Town of Markham’s “Parks, Recreation, Culture and Library Master Plan, 2005-2021”.

BACKGROUND:

In 2000, the Parks Construction and Maintenance Department of the Community Services Commission identified four pathway link opportunities:

§ Thornhill Link - connecting the existing trail from Huntington Park to an on-road connection at Evergreen Crescent

§ Milliken Link – trail loop around the constructed Demonstration Pond (south of 14^th Avenue, east of Highway 48)

§ Markham Link – connecting the existing pathway at Waldon Pond (north of Highway 7, west of Bullock Road) to Milne Dam Park

§ Unionville Link – connecting the existing trail at Victoria Lane to the existing trail east of the Kennedy By-pass north of Highway 7

In June 27, 2000, Council adopted the Community Services Report entitled “Parks Pathway Program” directing staff to proceed with the construction of the four pathway links noted above, to engage Marshall, Macklin Monaghan Consultants to undertake the design and contract administration of these pathway projects, and to charge all costs to Parks Construction and Maintenance’s 2000 Capital Account #595-3502-525-005. With the exception of two sections of the Markham link and The Thornhill link, which was built in 2001 from Evergreen Court to Huntington Park primarily utilizing Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC) lands, all other options brought forward in the original June 19, 2000 report from Marshall Macklin Monaghan required either the procurement of land or easements across private property, or actions outside the direct control of the Town. Consequently, due to a variety of factors beyond the Town’s control, including land ownership issues and works undertaken by others, the remaining links have not been constructed.

Since the above mentioned trail link projects were implementation-related, responsibility rested with Community Services. Now that the need has shifted from implementation to planning, Development Services has agreed to manage this new master planning initiative. Community Services will play an advisory role in the planning and design stage, and will have a more primary role to play in future at the funding, implementation and operations stages.

In anticipation of future approval to undertake a pathways and trails master plan, the balance of funding in the Parks Construction and Maintenance account #595-3502-525-005, in the amount of $69,106, was transferred to Planning and Urban Design in 2003. These funds have remained dormant and unspent, and require Council’s authorization to expend them for purposes that are different from originally anticipated.

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

Since 2000, a number of requests for additional pathways and pathway links have been suggested by various members of Council. However, without a Town-wide Pathways and Trails Master Plan, it is difficult to identify priorities, projects, and determine appropriate levels of funding. Furthermore the Town’s “Parks, Recreation, Culture and Library Master Plan 2005-2021” identifies “a connected system of trails and pathways” as the number one strategic priority for the Town. In addition, the master plan recommends that a funding strategy be developed to bridge any funding gaps required to deliver required services.

Based on this, staff recommend that a consultant be hired to prepare a “Town-wide Pathways and Trails Master Plan” to link and extend existing trails as well as create new pathway trail connections through the Town’s park, valley land and open space system. This master plan would include identification of a pathway and trails network, cost estimates, potential support programs and policies, facility design and maintenance guidelines, as well as an implementation, phasing and funding strategy.

This study will be coordinated with the Town’s on-going work related to bicycle lanes and bicycle routes currently being undertaken through the Engineering Department. In January 2004, Transportation Committee endorsed the creation of a Town of Markham Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CPAC). The mandate of CPAC is “to advise staff of various departments and Council on the design, development and delivery of cycling and pedestrian policies, programs and facilities to promote and enhance cycling and walking in Markham”.

Consequently, public consultation and opportunities for community input, including consultation with the Town’s Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CPAC) will be part of the pathways and trails master plan process. Furthermore, Community Services’ Strategic Services Department will also be involved in the master planning process and assist in identifying possible funding strategies for trails and pathways development. An inter-departmental, cross-commission technical steering committee will be established to oversee the master plan process which will include representatives from Community Services particularly recreation and parks operations staff.

Town policy requires that Council authorize the expenditure of funds for purposes that are different from those originally approved. Consequently, staff are bringing forward this report seeking Council approval to use of the balance of funds, in the amount of $69,106, in Planning and Urban Design’s Capital Account #59-5350-2525-005 (formerly a Parks Construction and Maintenance account for pathway link construction) for the purpose of creating a “Town-wide Pathways and Trails Master Plan”.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Staff recommend that Council approve the retention of a consultant to develop a “Town-wide Pathways and Trails Plan” and that funding be provided from Planning and Urban Design’s Capital Account #59-5350-2525-005, “Pathways”.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Community Services and Finance have been consulted in the preparation of this report.

ATTACHMENTS:

None

Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Director of Planning & Urban Design

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Commissioner of Development Services

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