BEASLEY NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN 20I7
bnaBeasley Neighbourhood Association N
TABLE OF James Hughson John Catharine Mary Elgin Ferguson Wellington CONTENTS CN Rail Tracks Murray History & Methodology 2 Progress Update 4 Barton Neighbourhood Action Evaluation 6 What We’ve Learned about Beasley 8 Beasley Community Survey 10 Robert
The Plan
MacLaren Park Health & Wellbeing 12 Cannon Safety 20 Parks & Recreation 26 Kelly Beasley Park Diversity & Inclusion 32
Dr. Davey School Wilson Summary of Objectives 38 Rebecca
King William
Gore Park King
Main
The Beasley Planning Team was created in 2015. An informal group of BNA volunteers committed to reviewing and revising the Beasley Neighbourhood Plan. Over the course of 15 months, more than two dozen volunteers would participate, and this work would not have been possible without their hard work on donated evenings and weekends.
This would also not be possible without the tireless work of Beasley’s community developer, Brandon Braithwaite, as well as the many other Social Planning & Research Council community developers who work on behalf of downtown Hamilton residents.
We also thank the City of Hamilton’s Neighbourhood Action Strategy and Ward 2 Councillor Jason Farr for their focus on making Beasley a better place to live, work and play, as well as the Hamilton Community Foundation for its support to Hamilton’s neighbourhoods.
Many thanks also to Sara Clausnitzer for her photography, Paul Elia for his art, as well as the many, many community members who shared memories & photos you see in this plan.
Finally, we sincerely thank all the people who live, work and play in the Beasley community for sharing their thoughts, ideas, and vision for a better Beasley.
2 Welcome Message The first Beasley Neighbourhood Plan, published in 2011, became a guide to drive community pride and ownership with the goal of improving the overall quality of life for residents today - and in the future.
In 2015, members of the Beasley Neighbourhood Association recognized the need to update, refine, and expand on the actions established in the 2011 Plan. So much had changed in Beasley since 2011, and many of the first plan’s actions were coming to fruition. We recognized that we needed to take stock of our successes while scoping out weaknesses from new vantage points.
We are proud to publish this first update to the Beasley Neighbourhood Plan, and we hope it acts as a kind of road-map to direct the energies of the BNA and its Charter partners, especially the City of Hamilton and its agencies, over the next five years.
This plan is the culmination of hundreds of hours of volunteer time, many in-kind and donated resources, and the energy of a team of enthusiastic residents who want to improve their community. After some hard years, the Beasley Badger is standing proud and tall again, and the neighbourhood is excited about its place as the dynamic and diverse heart of the city.
It is important to note that this is a living document: as the findings of the NeighbourhoodAction Evaluation demonstrate, these visions for a better Beasley may evolve over time as priorities change, champions move in and out, and resources come and go. We believe that a flexible approach to issues management is important, but the objectives and actions reflect the best resident-driven ideas for building up our community.
With a view to the year 2020, the BNA looks forward to working with all interested residents and stakeholders on achieving the very attainable goals in this Plan.
Sincerely,
Allison Chewter Cindy Stover Mike Borrelli President Secretary Treasurer
First published in Hamilton, Ontario in February 2017 by: THE BEASLEY BADGER WANTS
bnaBeasley Neighbourhood Association www.ourbeasley.com YOU!1 HISTORY & METHODOLOGY
The foundation of the first plan
The creation of the 2011 plan was undertaken through the direction of the Beasley Neighbourhood Charter and a group of local stakeholders convened by the Beasley Neighbourhood Association (BNA). The plan supported community bridge-building, inclusivity, and hearing a diversity voices, and these values were integral to its development. Community engagement and two-way information sharing were facilitated through open table-discussions at Charter meetings, and a Community Survey administered through the BNA
Participants included:
● Residents and business stakeholders in the community ● Local and provincial governments and their agencies ● Schools and religious communities ● Charitable and other mission based organizations serving in Beasley
Planning themes were established and detailed objectives were broken into specific action items that became a list of priority projects identified by the City’s Neighbourhood Action Strategy.
2 Redevelopment of the plan
The redevelopment of the Neighbourhood Plan began in mid-2015 with the forming of the BNA Planning Team, consisting of members from the Association’s executive and a large cross-section of residents, community partners, and service providers.
Public engagement
Public engagement in the planning process was anchored in four pillars:
1. Regular meetings of the Planning Team 2. Public engagement events at the Beasley Community Centre (three in total) 3. 2016 Beasley community survey 4. The use of online/internet engagement tools to geographically map community assets and liabilities.
At the initial meetings of the planning team in September 2015, and at a public engagement exercise held at the BCC on November 25th, 2015, themes that had been developed from the 2011 Plan’s goals were explored in order to reconfirm resident commitment to the BNA’s mission & vision, and to explore the values inherent in the 2011 Plan.
These discussions identified the four key themes that will be the focus of the 2017 Plan: ● Health & Wellbeing ● NEIGHBOURHOOD Safety ● Parks & Recreation ● Diversity & Inclusion
Limitations
The following work reflects in-person, survey and online engagement that sampled a limited number of individuals in an effort to draw a broader picture of an incredibly diverse neighbourhood with changing demographics. The BNA is always striving to reach out further, and this Plan is a living document that, like Beasley, will change over the next four years as additional residents become involved, and new actions emerge.
3 BEASLEY NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN PROGRESS UPDATE
OBJECTIVE: OBJECTIVE: Improve Parks, Promote Beasley Recreation & As A Great Place Gathering To Live Places
BEASLEY & MCLAREN PARK REDEVELOPMENT BEASLEY BANNERS Last year the BNA and the City of Hamilton started work on the redevelopment of two of our Thanks to generous donations from Cogeco, Jason neighbourhood parks. While Beasley Park is still in the design phase; work on Mclaren Park Farr, Ward 2 City Councillor and Glen Norton from has already started. Thanks to the City of Hamilton, Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion and the Urban Renewal Planning & Economic Develop- volunteers from the neighbourhood, who organized a neighbourhood engagement event and ment Department, the Beasley neighourhood will be spend all day on a Saturday talking to a wide variety of people who use the park on a regular decorated with colourful banners that celebrate the basis about their ideas. diversity and resilience of the neighbourhood.
Mclaren park is one of the smallest, yet most heavily used parks in Hamilton. It was identi- The first phase of the banner project was completed fied in our neighbourhood plan as a park that needed some TLC. Look for improvements to in the fall of 2014! 40 banners have been installed happen over time. If you take a stroll down John Street to the park you’ll notice a much nicer all along Ferguson Avenue, running from King Wil- looking cast iron fence has replaced the chain link liam down to Barton. The banners are a variety of that gives the park a better look, while still provid- bright, vivid colours and each feature a different “be- statement”. All of the “Be-statements” were created ing safety from the busy street. and chosen in many brainstorming sessions with the residents at our Beasley Neighoubhood Charter The kids and youth asked for a larger grass soccer meetings. pitch so the basketball court is being moved to the asphalt pit and grass is now covering the old court. For the second phase of the banner project, we There are also plans to tear down the concrete hope to install more banners along Cannon, Wilson building and add better lighting in order to make and John Streets in the near future. the park safer at night.
OBJECTIVE: CANNON STREET BIKELANES Health and Well OBJECTIVE: Being Of The In September 2013, City Council voted unanimously to support Promote Livable Community Street and Traffic the installation of two-way bike lanes on Cannon St. through the downtown core. Over just a few short months, the Yes We Design Cannon campaign convinced councillors that a prominent east/ west bike route on Cannon will be good for residents & cyclists, and will not greatly impact drivers. MCLAREN CUP AND NEIGHBOURHOOD HOOPS Yes We Cannon was a local, grassroots movement, gathering Hamiltonians to petition City This past summer the BNA helped organize the 2nd annual Mclaren Cup. During the last week Council to improve cyclist and pedestrian safety in the lower city by taking one simple step. of August dozens of neighbourhood kids came out to practice soccer skills and play in some The mission was to create a bi-directional bike lane, running the full length of Cannon organized games, finishing off on the weekend before school with an all day tournament and Street, by 2015. the crowning of the Mclaren Cup Champions. Thanks to the Youth Out Reach Workers, Y on Wheels and the West Hamilton Youth Soccer club for helping to make this happen! A cycling trip is only as safe as the least safe part of the journey. Adding bike lanes to Cannon Street provides us an opportunity to make our roads safer, our communities better 'Neighbourhood Hoops' campaign brings Mac basketball connected, and our citizens healthier and happier! to Beasley Park. The league offers barrier-free, acces- sible basketball programming to players ages 9-14 in the inner-city Beasley community. The 8 week program allows participants to make new friends and learn the fundamentals of basketball in a positive, supportive environment. Neighbourhood Hoops was developed in partnership be- tween the City of Hamilton, the Eva Rothwell Resource Centre, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hamilton, Wesley Urban Ministries and McMaster Athletes Care. Nearly 200 people came out to see the finale between our Beasley Community All-Stars vs. the McMaster Basketball team.
4 OBJECTIVE: OBJECTIVE: Improve Housing Integrating with Options & Social, Religious Property & Cultural Standards Groups
HAMILTON COMMUNITY LANDTRUST MULTICULTURAL CELEBRATIONS In 2014 the BNA decided to publicly support a grassroots effort to found a Hamilton Community Land Trust (CLT) downtown. A CLT owns land in the name of all citizens and protects it and leases The first annual Beasley Multicultural Celebration hap- it to community groups for certain uses such as gardens, green and community space, and af- pened this September in Beasley Park. This is an event fordable housing. It is a way to ensure that positive land uses can be protected against rising land for people all ages and backgrounds to celebrate the values and gentrification, and keeps citizens involved in decision-making in the rapidly developing beautiful cultural diversity of this neighbourhood featuring downtown core. performances, music, a fashion show, delicious food and wonderful company! Allison Maxted, a UBC planning graduate and Hamilton resident had approached the BNA in 2013 to study the possibility of creating a land trust here. Beasley residents have been enthusiastically Beasley also hosted an Eid al-Fitr potluck this summer at supporting the group as they have incorporated, recruited a Board of Directors, and received a the Old Beasley Community Centre! The potluck cel- Ontario Trillium Foundation grant to fund a feasibility study. We think a CLT is a great opportunity ebrates the end of Ramadan, was a great opportunity for to build and protect our community assets while protecting the amazing diversity and dynamism mutual learning and knowledge exchange. Get to know of our neighbourhood. your neighbours by bringing a dish to share!
To learn more about the Hamilton Community Land Trust or to volunteer visit: www.hamiltonclt.org
OBJECTIVE: OBJECTIVE: BEASLEY BANNERS Improve Parks, Encourage Recreation & Cultural Gathering Ambassador Places Programs
JOHN/ROBERT TOWERS TENANTS GROUP Some 60 residents of the 181 John St. N. and 192 Hughson St. N. apartments came together BEASLEY PARK COMMUNITY MURAL for a public meeting at the Beasley Community Centre in February of 2015. The event, orga- The Beasley Community Mural was completed in August 2013! Matt McInnes, Becky Katz and Sylvia Nicker- nized by the Hamilton Social Planning and Research Council, was held to give building tenants son, along with numerous neighbourhood volunteers of all ages helped paint the Beasley Community mural some guidance about what to do as the property tries to move people out ahead of major onto the exterior wall of the old Beasley Community Centre in Beasley Park. The design for our mural came renovations. from 50 kids drawings made by kids who live in Beasley or attend Dr. Davey School. These drawings were collaged together to make the mural design. Thanks also to the hard work of residents and volunteers from the John/Robert Towers for A big Thanks to: Benjamin Moore, Hamilton Community Foundation, Syliva Nickerson, Matt McInnes, Becky knocking on the doors of the towers and neighbouring apartment buildings. They gathered Katz, Landon Haggerty, Beasley Neighbourhood Association volunteers, kids from Dr. Davey School and signatures in support of installing a pedestrian activated crosswalk at the corner of John and the Beasley neighbourhood, Charlie Mattina, Brandon Braithwaite, Neighbourhood Development Strategies Robert streets. Residents were empowered to make a postive change and make the streets office, City of Hamilton, and many more people who helped us get this projected completed this summer. safer for the childern crossing to get to Mclaren Park!
OBJECTIVE: OBJECTIVE: Enhance Pride Promote & Ownership Healthy Food Through Networks Beautification
THE ALLEYWAY PROJECT COMMUNITY KITCHEN & OUTDOOR OVEN Alleyways are consistently areas used for dumping and other acts that shouldn’t happen in public spaces. Inspired by the Friends of Dufferin Grove Park , a group of Bealey community residents and In the Neighbourhood Plan, residents identified alleyways as a part of the neighbourhood that they wanted city of Hamilton took a road trip to see the wood fired communal ovens at Dufferin Grove to improve on. The BNA held a neighbourhood engagement night to kick off this special project to make the alleyway a safe and vibrant place in our community. Park Toronto. The tour included a history of the ovens ,operations, costs, building plans and communal uses such as “Pizza Days”. The ovens and the community kitchen have been With the help of our fellow neighbours in Ward 2, the Beasley Neighbourhood was able to secure funding become a true focus within in the neighbourhood. through the Participatory Budgeting process. We have up to $200,000 for the improvement and beautifica- “The oven is a story magnet. People rarely pass by the tion of the Elgin and Mary St. Alleyway running north from Cannon to Barton. park oven when something is baking without stopping to talk.” The information was brought back to the BNA and the In Sept.2015 the giant steel Beasley sign went up on time for the first ever Gallery Alley market Charter groups. It was decided to include an outdoor oven party! An exciting event with art vendors, musi- and community kitchen as part of the Beasley Neighbour- cians and free BBQ. hood Plan. With funding secured through the Participatory Budgeting process and partnerships created through the Phase 2 of the project gets underway this month Beasley Neighbourhood Charter, this objective is one step on designing and constructing the Beasley closer to reality. Weather Station.
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BEASLEY NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION SUMMARY 1
Challenges
Residents raised concerns about how the Action Plan will continue to address the issues related to poverty, affordable housing and displacement, when the shifting neighbourhood could mean that those most affected by these issues will no longer physically be in the neighbourhood. Beasley is gifted in its diversity and so communication can become a challenge in connecting with neighbours. Residents discussed interpretation services, making sure promotion materials are translated, and the importance of understanding cultural practices like observing holidays and food preferences.
Addressing complex Action Items
Some Action Items have been addressed and completed, but many are still in progress. Several Action Items are Not Started or Underway because there seems to be no one Context Action Plan person/department/service provider that can be responsible for it. There are big, complex Items related to poverty or affordable housing In June 2016, the Neighbourhood Action Each neighbourhood within the that seem to have no champion and no simple Evaluation team from the University of Neighbourhood Action Strategy has solution. Residents suggest beginning to look Toronto facilitated a focus group with the created an Action Plan for and with at these topics from a different angle. Beasley Neighbourhood Association (BNA). their community. Beasley’s Action Plan The purpose was to capture the progress, has Action Items that are related to Inclusion challenges and successes that the BNA has safety, beautification, recreation, experienced in implementing their Action poverty reduction and other important Inclusion is a key/high priority identified in the Plan. The Action Plan is part of the areas identified by the community. BNA’s Action Plan. One way that the BNA Neighbourhood Action Strategy (NAS) in talks about inclusion is through a focus on partnership with the City of Hamilton. The Successes food. Creating an inclusive event means Neighbourhood Action Evaluation has been understanding, respecting and responding to attending community meetings, interviewing The large, community-wide events are the different needs and values related to food residents and service providers and other seen as very successful. Successful for residents with a variety of cultures and partners of the NAS since 2012. This events include the BBQ, Winterfest and backgrounds. Food as a way to include document is a brief summary of the progress, the fair in April. Residents are happy neighbours is an important issue that requires process and success of the Neighbourhood with the Alleyway clean up and the more discussion. The Action Plan currently Action Strategy as described by members of McLaren Park redevelopment. Building doesn’t address how to create more inclusive the Beasley community during the June 2016 on these successes, residents hope for events that meet the needs of a diverse range focus group and interviews with residents and more social and recreation of people and cultures. How people eat service providers in the summer of 2016. opportunities. (A chart showing the together and what they eat are important breakdown of Action Items by status as things to consider so that everyone can feel of June 2016 is shown below.) Some completed Action Items welcomed and can be included meaningfully. include: Action items are accomplished when The BNA has also established the Beasley there is a community champion to bring Beasley Banners Inclusion Group (BIG) to address issues related the action to life. When a passionate to exclusion and racism. As well, they have McLaren Park Improvement resident uses their skills, networks and participated in the Diversity Matters
energy, they accomplish so much. community research project with the Hamilton Beasley Fair Centre for Civic Inclusion to explore ways to combat racism in the neighbourhood.
6 BEASLEY NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION SUMMARY 2
Outreach Highlights Resources
Reaching out to new residents, Residents and Service Providers shared many For more information about the Neighbourhood newcomers, and people who are unaware thoughts, ideas, and concerns at the focus Action Strategy: of community resources and planning group. Some recurring themes and issues are https://www.hamilton.ca/city- teams is a big challenge. Beasley residents highlighted below: initiatives/strategies-actions/neighbourhood- agree that word of mouth is the most action-strategy successful and informative way of reaching Inclusion: Create Ambassadors to connect out to engage the community. People people of different cultures and languages as For more information about the Neighbourhood have access to vast networks through the well as to reach out to hard-to-reach Action Evaluation school, community centre, different apartment buildings. Contact: [email protected] service providers, and their friends and Support: Remember to use the service families. Getting the word out through providers that are present. They are resources Follow us on FB these networks is an effective way to share for the community. information about community events, For more information about the Beasley Neighbourhood Association: news, and meetings. Many people agreed People Power: Beasley relies on hard-working, that building personal relationships, thoughtful volunteers to go the extra mile to http://www.ourbeasley.com/ although it is time consuming, is the best support their neighbours. way to reach new people and invite them to participate. It’s time to knock on doors! Issues: Poverty and access to education are
significant barriers for many Beasley There are independent groups in Beasley neighbours. that are meeting, connecting, and creating change in the neighbourhood. Many Dedication: Good work is being done and people may not attend the BNA meetings, Beasley residents are still pushing for things to but that doesn’t mean they are not active be better, more inclusive, and more equitable in their community. Everyone plays an for their community. important role in building a stronger community. “This is a beautiful, vibrant neighbourhood to live in”!
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What the BNA learned about Beasley since 2011
Online Engagement
The 2016 Plan used a web-based GIS tool available at www.ourbeasley.com to gather and present geographically-based information about the neighbourhood. Beginning in November 2015, residents marked virtual “pins” on an electronic map of the Beasley neighbourhood to identify positive or negative experiences associated with each of the four themes. Similar real-world mapping exercises were also conducted at the public engagement events in September and November of 2015, and the maps’ notes, mark-ups, and sticky-notes were then consolidated and entered into the GIS system by volunteers. This produced a series of rich and valuable community asset and liability maps.
The GIS heat map consolidated pins that were close to each other into clouds of different colours, where red represented a large collection of pins and blue represented a small collection of pins. These maps illustrated key locations in the neighbourhood where both good or bad experiences occurred in the categories of Health & Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion, Parks & Recreation, and Safety. A total of 217 heatmap data points were collected across the four key categories.
Out of the 217 data points collected, Parks & Recreation had the highest number of positive mentions (70%), followed by Diversity & Inclusion (65%). Safety had the highest number of negative mentions (77%), followed by Health and Wellbeing (56%).
Public EngagemenT As noted in the methodology section, public engagement was a key pillar of data collection, largely at a series of public events, including the Beasley Fair (April 23, 2016), the Beasley BBQ (June 5, 2016), a series of scheduled planning meetings (near-monthly), and at larger input gathering meetings attended by members of the public (November 25, 2015; February 24, 2016, and June 22, 2016).
8 What others have learned about Beasley since 20II: CRUNCH
Collaboratory for Research on Urban
2016 Follow-up report y As part of a McMaster research Neighbourhoods, Community Health and d Housing (CRUNCH) is a cluster of affiliated u study, we did surveys with Beasley, Keith, t McQuesten, Rolston, Stinson and Stipley Here researchers, facilities and equipment, housed at S BEASLEY are some highlights. You can also view the full McMaster University. s d report at: crunch.mcmaster.ca/hnstudy. neighbourhood o The Hamilton Neighbourhoods Study is a o rh research project looking at the changes that are u o Who we talked to in Beasley: taking place in neighbourhoods across Hamilton, hb ig particularly in the neighbourhoods which are Ham n Ne ilto 18-34 a part of the City's "Neighbourhood Action 134 Participants 21% years old Strategy." We ask residents questions about What is the impact of the what they like about their neighbourhood and Neighbourhood Action Strategy? 35-54 what they would change, as well as questions That is the question the Hamilton 34% Neighbourhoods Study asks. years old about their daily lives and their health. This study is a survey of residents in Female Beasley. The survey includes questions 53% Results of the study will be used to help 55+ on: housing & physical environment, 46% make Hamilton’s neighbourhoods safe, happy community, safety & security, civic years old engagement, health, employment, and and healthy places to live. Neighbourhood education & demographics. 47% Male groups and the City of Hamilton can use the information to figure out what’s important in the Beasley is the CNR TRACKS neighbourhood 35% House neighbourhoods we are studying, and how the stretching from Neighbourhood Action Strategy is making a BARTON STREET EAST James Street North Renters difference. to Wellington 67% Street North 18% Low-rise and Main Street CANNON ST
JAMES STREET NORTH East to the CNR N tracks. 33% Home owners 47% High-rise
WELLINGTON STREET NORTH
KING ST E
MAIN STREET EAST What changed for participants? Below shows the changes in answers to the same survey questions, two years apart. A change is categorized as an increase or decrease of 5% or more. Improved No change Got worse Satisfaction with home and neighbourhood X Neighbourhood as a place to raise a child X Feels safe outside at night X Feels safe outside during the day and in home at night X KEEP IN Email:Children [email protected] are safe when walkingFollow to and us: from school X 905-525-9140 ext. 23375 Online: crunch.mcmaster.ca @crunch_research TOUCH! It is very important to live in this neighbourhood X People in neighbourhood are friendly X
Neighbourhood Concerns 9 Get Involved With We asked participants to indicate if certain issues were a problem in their neighbourhood. The table below shows Beasley! the changes in issues identified as ‘a serious problem’ in If you’d like to find out the neighbourhood. more or get involved in your No Got neighbourhood, contact: Improved change worse Beasley Neighbourhood Drug dealing and/or use X Association Meets from 7-9pm on the second Litter in the streets X Wednesday of each month at Sex work X Beasley Community Centre, 145 Poor air quality X Wilson Street. Poor air quality X Online: www.ourbeasley.ca Vandalism, graffiti X Like: Traffic and road safety X Beasley Neighbourhood Rundown or boarded up X Association properties Please note, this phase of the study is over. There may be future phases. Thank you to our research participants for their time and contributions.
H A M I L T O N NEIGHB OURHOODS S T U D Y
This research was funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. The views expressed are those of the researchers, not the Government of Ontario, or the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. BNA COMMUNITY SURVEY
The BNA has administered a community survey annually since 2010. The 2016 survey measured perceptions and attitudes on four key categories: ● Health & Wellbeing ● Safety ● Parks & Recreation ● Diversity & Inclusion
The 2016 survey had 88 respondents - 14 completed the survey online, and another 77 completed the survey in person at community events. Key findings from the survey are presented below:
2016 Survey Respondent Demographics:
10 What do “The community of What do “Feeling unsafe Comments/Pins by Theme you like people who live here.” you like at night.” most about "Multiculturalism" LEAST about "Drug Use" Beasley? “I like how close I live Beasley? to everything.” “Cost of Housing” “I see more organizations coming “There are a together and more neighbourhood "Poverty" lot negative led initiatives.” stereotypes of this “Too much neighbourhood. “Many of the vacant "The garbage in Improving how storefronts have been Parks" the streets” people see this cleaned up and or neighbourhood rented out.” would be great!”
Other Observations: When comparing survey data between the 2012 and 2016 surveys, perceptions of the neighbourhood’s Health & Wellbeing and Safety declined, while there were improvements in perceptions of neighbourhood Diversity & Inclusion and Parks & Recreation. The primary change in attitudes that led to an increase in What We Heard: positive sentiment towards Diversity & Inclusion were: ● A stronger feeling that there is an opportunity to speak Diversity & Inclusion: Respondents consistently up and be heard on things that matter +13% noted the friendliness of neighbours, willingness of ● A stronger feeling that there is no other neighbourhood others to help each other out, and multiculturalism that residents would rather live in +13% as Beasley’s greatest assets. ● A stronger feeling that Beasley is a neighbourhood where neighbours help each other out +6% Parks & Recreation: Beasley Park, playing soccer and basketball, and the Cannon Street cycle The primary change in attitude that led to an increase in positive track were the most frequently mentioned positive sentiment towards Parks & Recreation are: experiences. ● A stronger feeling that people enjoy participating in Health & Wellbeing: Respondents feel that neighbourhood events +18% smoking, littering, and access to affordable housing as areas that need improvement. This change in attitude was balanced by:
● A decrease in sentiment that the recreation programs Safety: Respondents frequently mentioned public are meeting the needs of respondents -13% intoxication and drug use, lack of lighting at night time, and deserted streets as Beasley’s liabilities. The primary change in attitudes that led to a decrease in positive sentiment towards Health & Wellbeing are:
● A decrease in sentiment that residents are happy with Comments/Pins by Theme - the condition and cost of housing -10% ● A decrease in sentiment that there is access to fresh Comparison to 2012 survey affordable food -8%
This change in attitude was balanced by:
● A stronger feeling that the health services in the community meet the needs of residents +2%
The primary change in attitude that led to a decrease in positive sentiment towards Safety are:
● A significant decrease in sentiment towards general safety in the community -31%
This change in attitude was balanced by:
● A significant increase in sentiment towards the neighbourhood being a good place to raise children +25% 11 HEALTH & WELLBEING
12 Good Experiences Heat map Bad Experiences Heat map
● Elgin Street Alley - Alleyway cleanup ● Ferguson & Barton - Lack of human ● Beasley Park - Skateboarding Park scale, too many hospital parking lots, HHS parking lot ● Hamilton City Centre - Farmer’s Market ● Hughson Street - Garbage in streets and alleyways ● John & Robert - Residents displaced from affordable apartments HEALTH & WELLBEING
Good Experiences Wordcloud
“Love the market.” Bad Experiences Wordcloud “Inspired by the art I saw at the James “Food Insecurity.” North Art Crawl.”
13 OBJECTIVE: Improve Food Security
In the 2011 Plan, Action #1 was to “Promote Healthy Food Networks”. In 2012 the Beasley Charter group identified Food Security as a priority action to be addressed with community gardens, community kitchens, outdoor bake ovens, and other “value-added” approaches to addressing hunger in our neighbourhood.
Recent kitchen renovations to the Beasley Community Centre and Bill Simone Hall offer tools to address local hunger, including the continued operation of breakfast nutritional programs. Other groups working in Beasley have been instrumental in beginning to address some food security issues, such as the Hamilton Victory Gardens, formerly operating in two locations in Beasley, and now concentrating their efforts on a large site behind the nearby Food Basics.
In terms of market-based access to food, accessibility has increased dramatically since 2011 with the opening of the Nations supermarket in Jackson Square, new restaurants on James St. North. Access to some of these food options is very dependent on income, however many larger food markets do tend to offer a selection of healthful and affordable foods. ACTIONS:
City & Charter partners:
● Continue to support community efforts to increase food security through the funding and promotion of community gardens, community kitchens, and existing food support networks. ● Maintain and aim to improve levels of community access to kitchen resources at the Beasley Community Centre and Bill Simone Hall. ● Invest in means to facilitate and expand use of public food infrastructure (e.g. reduced/no user fees for community assets, cover/insure for group use of kitchen & recreational space to reduce administrative hassles.)
Community & BNA:
● Support and volunteer with local community gardens and food support networks, agencies, charities, etc. ● Pursue public and private grants and other funding to expand existing food security infrastructure (e.g. community gardens, community kitchens, Good Food Box). ● Engage with Canadian Food Centre regarding Beasley-based programming. ● Continue to work with Hamilton Community Land Trust to seek out opportunities to protect land for community gardens.
14 OBJECTIVE: Increase the amount of greenspace in the community relative to grey space.
Trees Please Hamilton is a project of The Hamilton Naturalists’ Club and Environment Hamilton. Endorsed by the Ontario Lung Association, it is designed to improve Hamilton’s air quality through strategic planting of native trees, shrubs and plants in six lower city neighbourhoods.
More vegetation will improve the health of Hamilton’s urban forest, and as a result, help remove particulate pollution from the air, mitigate the impacts of climate change, create more shade and shelter for humans and wildlife, and enhance neighbourhood aesthetics and quality of life.
The BNA supports the efforts of Trees Please and its sponsors and recognizes the importance of greenery in Hamilton’s urban core on health and quality of life.
ACTIONS:
Community & BNA:
● Support Environment Hamilton and the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club’s Trees Please Project and its focus on getting more trees planted in Beasley to improve air quality and bring other benefits of urban greening. ● BNA to work with partners to encourage residents living along our alleyways to plant seedlings in their yards to create shade canopies over the alleyways and improve the health of the urban forest in Beasley. ● BNA to work with the City and seek community support to pursue opportunities to develop City-owned lots while retaining parking capacity.
City & Charter Partners:
● At political and planning levels, continue to pursue better uses for existing surface parking lots around Beasley while maintaining parking capacity. ● Use development opportunities to fund greenspace expansions in Beasley, especially parks.
15 OBJECTIVE: Improve HOUSING OPTIONS & STANDARDS
The 2012 Objective to Improve Housing Options & Property Standards is still as relevant today, if not moreso. Housing costs in Beasley have increased significantly since 2012, as reflected in the price of resale homes, on updated residential property tax assessments, and average rents.
Turnover of units has also displaced long established tenants and forced some to move outside of Beasley, while others have scrambled to find replacement housing of a similar quality. Much of the housing stock in Beasley is old, and while it provides a distinct and historic flair, it also means depreciating assets or costly maintenance.
In the years since the 2012 plan, the broader Beasley community has built tremendous capacity around housing advocacy: residents in larger rental buildings established the Hamilton Tenant Solidarity Network (www.hamiltonsolidaritynetwork.ca) and the Hamilton Community Land Trust (www.hamiltonclt.org) was created.
Though both efforts have succeeded by broadening the discussion on housing matters, there is the recognition that macro approaches by the City and higher orders of government are immediately required. Affordable housing need to be protected and increased in number, especially for communities of newcomers, seniors, and those with unique needs. These communities all benefit from proximity to established social networks and community assets like health centres, schools, community hubs, and nearby parks and recreation.
16 ACTIONS:
City & Charter partners:
● City of Hamilton to mandate an inclusionary zoning policy that sets hard targets for the percentage of affordable units in new multi-unit developments. Ensuring “affordability” that is tailored to typical Beasley incomes is also extremely important. ● Direct immediate financial resources towards opening new affordable and subsidized housing units within Beasley. Every unit counts. ● Pursue “bonusing” options with larger multi-unit developers that allows for greater density, provided additional affordable housing and community amenities such as greenspace, public art, and community space are included in the development.
Community:
● Continue to support efforts of established groups, and support all Beasley residents who wish to organize around housing advocacy. ● The BNA will continue to act as a facilitator for residents to seek information and volunteer opportunities with the City, agencies, and community groups working on housing matters.
“Landlords needs to help tenants keep homes in a safe condition.”
17 OBJECTIVE: STRENGTHEN BUSINESS & ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
Beasley is a multi-use neighbourhood, and is a current and historic commercial district that serves and employs Hamiltonians from all parts of the city. Economic opportunities in Beasley’s core business district have expanded greatly since 2011, and BNA generally supports efforts to build economic opportunities that can employ residents, and support the city’s tax base.
The BNA recognizes that the City of Hamilton is our neighbourhood’s most influential economic developer, and will continue to support City efforts that build and improve Beasley, such as 2016’s sale and pending redevelopment of the Cannon Knitting Mills, and successful efforts to save mixed- use zoned land from use as sprawling parking lots.
In the near-term, to 2020, the BNA has a key interest in ensuring local businesses are reasonably accommodated during LRT construction, as the success of that project represents a significant once- in-a-generation opportunity to build Beasley’s economic and transit infrastructure.
ACTIONS:
City & International Village Business Improvement Area:
● Stress the importance of shopping local. International Village is going to depend on its surrounding neighbourhoods to support us and carry through LRT construction. ● International Village is working on dedicated “shopping days” in the late spring/early summer that will invite members of the surrounding neighbourhoods to shop in the village, enjoy special sales and have a tour of all the exciting shops, services and businesses in our BIA.
Community:
● Shop local: patronize and promote businesses along the future LRT corridor. Beasley residents understand their support is needed during planning and construction. ● Continue to patronize other Beasley-area businesses and promote the neighbourhood as a safe and welcoming business and entertainment destination.
City & Barton Village Business Improvement Area:
● Support redevelopment of underutilized land ● Beautification of Barton St (e.g. get garbage off streets, work with businesses to help fix up buildings, support tree-planting efforts)
18 Other Health and Wellbeing success stories:
Beasley Lab for INventive Kids (BLINK)
This fall, McMaster University students partnered with Dr. Edgar Davey Elementary School to provide four sessions to 24 children in grades 4 and 5 to teach topics in science and technology. Sessions covered algorithms, elements of programming and building a thermostat and were well attended! BLINK aims to provide children with an exciting and fun foundation in science and engineering. The program was able to provide 30 microcontroller lab kits to the school that the kids can use to do programming and electronics experiments.
Elgin St Alley Weather Station
Beasley knows that good environments promote good well-being! As part of the revitalization of the Elgin Street Alley (Gallery Alley) the Beasley weather station team has begun construction on a functional art exhibit that revitalizes old industrial equipment. The weather station is an interactive art installation that greets residents as they enter the alley and is inspired by Hamilton’s industrial history mixed with Beasley’s organic creativity. When complete, the weather station is planned to include weather sensors and a website where residents can learn about the environment in their neighbourhood in a physical way. On the physical side, the materials and work on the station has largely been generously donated and the station was painted by neighbourhood children and volunteers. While on the technology side, the weather station team has partnered with McMaster University and work is continuing on programming and integrating weather sensors that will collect the environmental data and make it available on the internet.
19 ● SAFETY
20 Good Experiences Heat map Bad Experiences Heat map
● Beasley Park - Park redevelopment, ● Cannon - Car break-in, home invasion, bike community centre, gallery alley stolen, traffic, need for two-way conversion ● Cannon St. - Cannon cycle track ● Beasley - drugs, lack of supervision for children ● Hughson St N - Great neighbours looking ● John & Wilson - bad lighting, car break-ins, out for each other, helping homeless traffic, mugging ● John & Rebecca - drugs & intoxication ● James N - harassment, sexual harassment, screaming
Good Experiences Wordcloud
“Love the Cannon bike lane.” Bad Experiences Wordcloud “Always a positive experience at the community centre.” “Should be less drugs in Beasley Park.” “Need signal crossings.”
21 OBJECTIVE: Keep improving Beasley’s Alleyways
In 2013, Ward 2 residents voted to fund a Beasley Alleyway project through the Participatory Budgeting process. Approximately $230,000 was earmarked for alleyway “beautification” in Beasley and nearby Corktown. After many years of hard work, Gallery Alley opened in 2016 in the alley behind Elgin street, north of Cannon.
It features community-generated murals and artwork that improves the sense of place and encourages positive uses such as neighbour walk-throughs & cycling, and discourages negative uses, including substance abuse. Pop-up craft markets also occasionally operate in the Alley, and various groups and individuals have started projects to increasingly beautify the space.
As well as being an art-space, Gallery Alley also hosts a Weather Station, operated by local volunteers. The Weather Station was constructed by re-using thousands of pounds of industrial steam pipes and valves, with equal amounts of concrete. Info-nodes installed on the station will provide minute-by-minute temperature and barometric readings, and additional nodes will be installed by community researchers for specific projects and studies.
ACTIONS:
City & Charter Partners:
Work to maintain the new alleyway network, and access available grants and funding to incrementally improve the Alleyway experience to include amenities such as solar lighting for safety, way-finding signage & public art. Increase number of public garbage and recycling containers along major pedestrian streets, especially James, Barton, and Cannon streets. Provide resources to help community keep alleyways safe & clean from rubbish and sharps
Community:
Find local champions to organize alley cleanups/maintenance at least once a year to keep up neighbourhood pride in the alley. Work with Beautiful Alleys community group to pursue an annual fund from City continue to support public art installations.
22 OBJECTIVE: VISION ZERO
In 2016, the Beasley Neighbourhood Association endorsed Vision Zero for Hamilton, a campaign that aims to reduce traffic fatalities to zero through engineering and designing streets and neighbourhoods in the safest way possible. Beasley is a multi-use neighbourhood with a significant residential area where pedestrians and vehicles of all kinds share the roads.
Vision Zero began in Sweden in 1997 and shows what cities can do when they prioritize driver, pedestrian, and cyclist safety over speed. With a traffic fatality rate of just 3 in 100,000 and falling, Sweden has inspired a number of Hamilton’s neighbourhoods to strive for Vision Zero in our communities. We now know that a vast majority of the deaths on our roads, things we discount as “accidents”, can be prevented with good design.
ACTIONS:
City:
Immediately support and implement proposals for 40km/h on all Beasley’s residential streets. Upon the completion of the North End Traffic Management Plan and its 30km/h residential speed limit, evaluate the impacts and consider further reducing limits.
Community:
Pursue a “New 30km/h Normal” for Beasley’s residential streets in the medium-term. Continue to publicly advocate for good road design downtown to reduce the risk of road fatalities in and around Beasley.
Individuals, small groups, and other associations will work with the Ward 2 Councillor and through local initiatives like Plan Local to fund public works improvements and identify quick-fixes that can further complete streets in our community such as:
● Two-way streets, ● Bump-outs & speed humps ● Ladder crossings ● Photo radar in community safety zones ● Push-button signals ● On-street parking lanes
23 OBJECTIVE: Pursue harm-reduction strategies for vulnerable populations
What makes a safe community is different for everyone. For the kids at Dr. Davey a safe community would be one where they could use the park adjacent to the school. For some people dealing with addiction, a safe space is a park or alleyway at night, where they can be alone, or where it is dark and away from watchful eyes.
This crossroad is one of the reasons the BNA believes in a harm reduction approach to drug users. Current laws and enforcement have failed at stopping dangerous drug use and may have even caused more harm to users and communities at large.
Harm reduction is: • An approach to keeping individuals and communities safe from negative effects of drug abuse. • Considered to be practical and non‐judgmental, and is used by public health programs across Canada. • Recognizes that containment and reduction of drug‐related harms is a more feasible option than efforts to eliminate drug use entirely].
Harm reduction for drug users Harm reduction programs provide sterile needles and safe injection drug supplies, which decrease the risk of HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B when using drugs. Harm reduction for taxpayers Evidence shows that harm reduction strategies reduce the transmission of HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B, resulting in a decrease of the health care costs treating these diseases.
As of the writing of this plan the City has started a discussion about the creation of a Supervised Injection Site in the city. A SIS would be able to better support our neighbours dealing with injection drug use while also keeping needles and other paraphernalia out of parks and alleyways. ACTIONS:
City & Charter Partners: ● Conduct an evidence-based investigation of safe injection sites, and potential positive impacts in downtown Hamilton. ● Continue the work of Public Health in engaging and informing people about the importance of harm reduction ● Work with the community to conduct regular needle-sweeps of Beasley Park and keep data to produce a baseline observation
Community: ● Promote the use of harm reduction strategies and the creation of a Supervised Injection Site ● Develop the an inclusive community that improves the public’s perceptions and actions towards drug users
24 OBJECTIVE: Provide positive opportunities for youth, especially vulnerable youth.
There is a further discussion regarding the provision of additional recreation opportunities to youth in the next section, however we feel it is important to note that the value of youth drop-in and rec programs is also a harm reduction strategy for vulnerable youth.
2016-2020 City & Community Priority Actions: ● Work with SPRC to investigate the costs and benefits of a safe-injection site in Beasley as a harm reduction strategy. ● Maintain & expand opportunities for after-school and drop-in programming for youth.
Engage with St. Joseph Hospital’s COAST & Urban Core Health Centre to explore other harm reduction strategies for aggressive panhandling in Beasley.
OBJECTIVE: Mitigate Aggressive Panhandling
In 2016 the Beasley Neighbourhood Association was approached by the Hamilton Police Services and Downtown BIA for advice on a strategy they had developed to cope with aggressive panhandlers downtown. A group of residents met with HPS and the BIA to discuss this strategy and possible other approaches.
Though residents have indicated a concern about the effects of aggressive panhandling, there is still a strong neighbourhood desire for an approach that respects diversity and inclusion in Beasley. Any attempts to mitigate aggressive panhandling must not criminalize Hamilton’s street-involved population, as panhandling has roots in other social issues that should addressed as a greater priority (i.e. homelessness, poverty, mental health). ACTIONS:
City, Community & BNA ● In 2017 we will continue meeting with the HPS and BIA and other agencies and groups to pursue harm reduction strategies for panhandling that is inclusive and does not criminalize street-involved persons.
International Village Business Improvement Area & City: Promote and expand Neighbourhood Watch: Encouraging residents to report all crimes no matter how big or small to police either by reporting it to dispatch at 905-546-4925 as a non-emergency or 911. Police need a paper trail to follow in order to dispatch patrol. International Village has seen an influx of small property crimes in 2016 (graffiti, smashed windows, knocked over planters).
25 PARKS & RECREATION
26 Good Experiences Heat map Bad Experiences Heat map
● Beasley Park - decorate the fountain for ● Beasley park - needs a soccer field, Christmas, add a library/coffee house, transformer station, more bike friendly skateboard park, love the park for family ● Dr. Davey - programming at early years is outings not consistent ● Beasley Community Centre - BNA ● John & Rebecca - Park potential (violence) community planning ● McLaren Park - Rubbish and garbage ● McLaren Park - Dog walking ● Cannon Street - Bike lanes ● Barton & Wellington - Park potential PARKS & RECREATION
Good Experiences Wordcloud Bad Experiences Wordcloud
“Love the park for family outings.” “Full of Trash” “Well used and much safer than before.” “Decorate and light the Beasley fountain for Christmas.” “The park shows the diversity in our neighbourhood and what an inclusive place can look like.”
27 OBJECTIVE: Maintain & expand cycling infrastructure
In the 2012 Plan, cycling infrastructure improvements were identified as a priority, and the Beasley community was not disappointed when, less than two years later, the dedicated volunteers of the Yes We Cannon! campaign were successful in introducing a Cannon Street Cycle Track pilot project.
Since its opening, the track has been heavily used, and has turned a dangerous, high-speed road into a more calmed and complete street that still moves traffic efficiently across the city. With the pilot project coming to an end within the period of this plan, it has been identified as an important objective to maintain and expand this critical piece of transportation infrastructure. ACTIONS: City: ● Share relevant data and measures regarding Cannon St. Cycle Track and bike-lane usage and effects with the community and Charter Partners in late 2016/early 2017 ● In early 2017, begin public engagement with businesses and residents along the route to evaluate effects and ongoing support ● Convert the pilot project to permanent infrastructure in 2017
Community & Charter partners: ● Facilitate the collection of resident input on the effects of the Cannon St. Cycle Track ● Over 2016 and 2017, sustain public support for, and use of, the Cannon St. Cycle Track through promotion in newsletters, social media, etc. ● Support resident appeals for additional cycling infrastructure through community donations, grant applications, Plan Local and other funding sources. This might include water-filling stations, wayfinding markers, bike parking/lock-ups, etc.
City & Hamilton Bike Share (SoBi Hamilton): ● Launch an Everyone Rides Initiative designed to encourage, educate, provide access and surmount barriers individuals and families may have to riding a bike or choosing bike share as an option for transportation. ● Provide access to subsidized membership options for community centres & individuals in need, and market SoBi as an option for all residents through outreach and education ● Install 7-10 new bike hubs in the East End, along Barton Street and down Ottawa Street (create mini parkettes around hubs where possible) ● Add 75 new bikes into the SoBi fleet ● Attend community Hub meetings to gather public opinion on station locations ● Maintain and develop relationships with Beasley community organizations in need of subsidized memberships (e.g. Wesley Urban Ministries) 28 OBJECTIVE: Increase recreation opportunities for youth & seniors
The goal of improving and expanding the recreational opportunities available to youth and seniors has matured since 2011’s Plan, and has been a topic of significant focus through the collaboration of the BNA, the City of Hamilton, and Wesley Urban Ministries through the joint Beasley Community Centre Advisory Team (BCCAT). The BCCAT is a collaboration between residents and service providers from the Beasley Community designed to maximize the significant community asset that is the Beasley Community Centre.
Since 2011 the Beasley community has benefitted from numerous sustained and pilot programs that have helped to connect youth and seniors to one another, and with Despite these successes, however, there is still the community at large. In 2013, research conducted by an impression among some residents that the McMaster students examined barriers to participation in our programs and services available in Beasley are neighbourhood, and in the ensuing years, programming not meeting their specific needs. has been developed to help address these barriers.
Some of the successful opportunities to have come out of community collaboration since 2011 include book clubs, drop-ins, senior recreation programs such as “Stand Up” and Tai Chi, as well as numerous youth-centered programs such as drop-ins and after-school programs, organized sports, and especially the Neighbourhood Hoops basketball program, and annual McLaren Cup soccer tournaments. Since 2011, survey results indicate that there is increased satisfaction in participating in neighbourhood events (e.g. Hoops Finale, McLaren Cup, BBQ, Winterfest, etc.).
The perception among survey respondents that programming is sometimes incongruent with their needs requires some additional attention ACTIONS: by all the parties and partners working to make Beasley a better place to play.
City, Community & Charter partners: ● Support efforts by the Beasley Community Centre Activities Team (BCCAT) to collect data on program usage to develop in-demand programming for seniors and youth ● A renewed focus among partners (BNA, City & Wesley) to engage Beasley residents in the Beasley Community Centre Advisory Team, with the goal of better understanding community needs and desires. ● Conduct a comprehensive and transparent evaluation of past and current programming available at the BCC sometime in 2017 or 2018 to build on past, evidence-based reviews of program usage. Include participant feedback evaluations, barriers to participation, as well as cost-benefit considerations with the goal to improve services for the community, especially seniors and youth. ● Work to remove barriers to community-led initiatives and events. These actions may include working to simplifying the SEAT application process, community centre booking, and obtaining open air burn permits. 29 OBJECTIVE: Expand & improve Beasley residents’ access recreation infrastructure, especially for swimming & soccer
“Water is life!” The most common piece of input received regarding Beasley’s parks and recreation opportunities is that there is tremendous demand for a central-Hamilton pool. Though virtually every other downtown neighbourhood is served by a pool, Beasley residents must travel to other parts of downtown to access a community pool.
Since the neighbourhood is expecting upcoming park redevelopments, there may be no current ability to situate a community- use pool within Beasley, however some of the central functions of a pool (i.e. cool, family- friendly fun with water) can be replicated by enlarging and enhancing splash pads, or co-locating drainable wading ponds into park redevelopments.
Soccer also continues to be a reigning passion among Beasley residents, especially its children. Beasley also does not have Location of existing City of Hamilton pools (2016) a standard-size soccer field within its boundaries, and finding an appropriately sized piece of land in the area is unlikely. The BNA continues to support efforts to generate opportunities for Beasley residents to enjoy the benefits of soccer play in and around the neighbourhood, especially the McLaren Cup event held each year at McLaren Park. ACTIONS:
Community:
● Working with the City, find a champion to help enhance out-of-neighbourhood swimming opportunities for Beasley residents, and in the longer term, pursue a pool in a growing Beasley. ● Work with partners to identify spaces within a 5-10 minute walk of Beasley that could host a standard sized soccer field.
30 OBJECTIVE: Park expansion & redevelopment
The McLaren Park redevelopment has been a success and the City and staff should be acknowledged for the tremendous renovation of what is believed to be the mostly densely used park in Hamilton. In addition, due to community concerns about violence outside of the clubs on King William Street at Catherine Street, there is a renewed interest in the development of the much anticipated John & Rebecca Park.
Initially underserved by parks and recreation facilities, there has been a transformation in available recreational opportunities in the heart of Beasley since 2011. Through an operating agreement with the City of Hamilton, Wesley Urban Ministries operates the Beasley Community Centre and arranges programming, while interacting with the BNA to ensure performance and access levels are being maintained.
With the New Beasley Community Centre opening in 2010, the original 1994 building (renamed Bill Simone Hall in 2016, after the tireless Beasley resident and volunteer) is now available for alternate uses, including a breakfast program. Working with the City and Wesley, the BNA was also able to negotiate some additional community access in order to facilitate preparation and operation of community events such as the Beasley BBQ and Winter Fair. ACTIONS: City: ● Continue to support and improve the varied use of Beasley's parks and community centres at all times of day. ● Plant more street trees along our major road corridors such as Cannon Street to increase the shade, aesthetics and air quality. ● Expand seating options in Beasley Park, both along paths and under trees ● Explore potential for flattened and level space for ball games and ice rink
Community, BNA & City: ● Continue to assist Hamilton Skate Assembly and their work with Beasley Park ● Support the efforts of the Hamilton Naturalists' Club and Environment Hamilton through their Trees Please project to green the area by the Good Shepherd Venture Centre (155 Cannon St East), specifically, the land owned by the City. By working with the Trees Please project, Good Shepherd and the City, the BNA supports the creation of green corridor along this stretch of Cannon Street which includes Beasley Park. ● Expand electrical infrastructure in park to support community events and seasonal decorations ● Community to explore potential to work with developer of Cannon Knitting Mills to develop ground level retail, storefronts and workspaces
Community to find champion to work with city to explore food carts and shipping containers in the park 31 DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
32 Good Experiences Heat map Bad Experiences Heat map
● International Village - good samaritans ● Beasley Park & Dr. Davey - Ontario ● Beasley Park - Old community centre, Early Years Centre, BNA diversity of residents in the park, skate ● Robert St.- Housing needed, residents park displaced from affordable apartments ● Cannon & Elgin - Refugees welcomed, ● James Street North - Gentrification newcomers welcome signs, Good Shepherd ● James Street North - Art, Evergreen space
Good Experiences Wordcloud
“Seeing “Newcomers Welcome” signs in people’s homes as I walk by” Bad Experiences Wordcloud
"Friendliest neighbours!”
33 OBJECTIVE: Keep Beasley welcoming & inclusive (“A place everyone can be their best”)
As one of Beasley’s key values, every input gathering tool used to produce this Plan showed a real pride and value for Beasley’s inclusive nature--reflected in the BNA’s mission to “make a place where everyone can be their best.”
The primary change in attitudes that led to an increase in positive sentiment towards diversity and inclusion are: ● A stronger feeling that there is an opportunity to speak up and be heard on things that matter +13% ● A stronger feeling that there is no other neighbourhood that residents would rather live in +13% ● A stronger feeling that Beasley is a neighbourhood where neighbours help each other out +6%
Protecting and expanding this spirit of inclusiveness meant many things to many people. Some advocate for more outreach to newcomers and those potentially isolated by language, culture, or other barriers; others want to ensure that racist, sexist, or other hateful graffiti is identified and reported to police for investigation; virtually everyone is interested in ensuring that our parks, community centres, streets, and other public spaces are safe for everyone to freely use.
In an effort to defend the welcoming attitude that has become a Beasley hallmark, in 2014 a group of Beasley residents, including BNA volunteers, spearheaded the Beasley Inclusion Group (BIG). Over the past two years the group has organized a series of successful potluck dinners and parties in community centres and parks in order to include and engage with residents, especially new Canadians from a variety of social and ethnic communities.
In addition to BIG, a Tenant's Solidarity Network has developed over the past two years in response to economic displacement concerns. This group has been very successful in highlighting the issues of economic inclusion, and has broached a wider discussion about the importance of preserving socio- economic diversity in Beasley. ACTIONS: City, including Hamilton Police Services & Charter partners:
● Continue to pursue a community policing model that prioritizes citizen communication and tolerance.
Community & BNA:
● Continue to host welcoming, inclusive events for the neighbourhood. Use these opportunities to celebrate Beasley and have some fun with neighbours. From Summer BBQ’s, Winter Carnivals to cooking classes and movie nights big or small events can be a comfortable way for people to get connected with the BNA. 34 OBJECTIVE: Increase awareness of Beasley & its assets
Since 2011, there has been a further recognition of Beasley as a dynamic and important neighbourhood within Hamilton. We are a destination for music festivals, culture, arts, food, entertainment, shopping and business, but Beasley also provides residents with good quality of life in an urban environment.
Through efforts of the BNA to build neighbourhood awareness, colourful and inspirational flags now line streets, distinctive murals stand over our parks, and our organization is consistently recognized as a leader on civic issues, further developing a sense of Beasley pride.
Beasley’s assets are Hamilton’s assets, and as such there are opportunities for the City to leverage Beasley’s successes to everyone’s benefit. Living in the core of the city, Beasley residents are used to being a welcoming multi-use neighbourhood and expect that opportunities be pursued that enhance the quality of life of existing residents and businesses. However, the BNA will continue to vociferously oppose plans or projects have Beasley residents unfairly shouldering hidden social or economic costs (e.g. casinos, surface parking lots, highways, buildings with poor urban form/design, etc.). ACTIONS:
Community & BNA: ● Support public art initiatives--Beasley is becoming known for its public art, including our murals, Gallery Alley, in addition to galleries and monthly Art Crawls. ● Refresh & expand Beasley banner program. The BNA & community must find an energetic new champion to carry forward, as there are additional banners in reserve. ● Seek out and support a community champion to lead efforts at Gallery Alley, including developing an “Art Walk” connecting Art Crawl activities on James St. North with King William Theatre District and International Village. ● Continue to insist on good urban form/design and adherence to existing City plans that establish a foundation for a better Beasley (incl. West Harbour Secondary Plan). ● BNA to continue to support our neighbours in other parts of the City in their efforts to make Hamilton, and especially our downtown, a better place to live, work and play.
City & Charter Partners: ● Continue to facilitate an exciting and dynamic urban environment, including support for public art, murals, and efforts to allow businesses street-patios in parking spots, and consider projects for shade structures, street furniture, etc. ● Support, promote and expand Gallery Alley and its related educational and infrastructure projects ● Market Beasley as a destination for economic development that helps existing local businesses and residents (i.e. affordable residential development and in-fill on surface parking lots, brownfields, etc)
BNA & McMaster University: ● Develop a Beasley Media Strategy to assess and respond to how Beasley is portrayed in media, research, and training. 35 OBJECTIVE: Maintain & enhance opportunities for collaborative learning
Between August-December 2016, the Beasley Neighbourhood Association worked with the McMaster Research Shop to gather information and materials pertaining to collaborations between Beasley and McMaster University. While investigating examples of collaboration, the research also came to look at how Beasley has been represented – in research conducted by McMaster affiliates, perspectives held by McMaster volunteers and groups offering programs in Beasley, and in media like the Hamilton Spectator.
The research produced three key recommendations for researchers from McMaster and other area post-secondary institutions: Begin with Community Engagement: Researchers and volunteers need to learn and incorporate community engagement principles when working with the Beasley community. Work Collaboratively with Residents: Ask the Beasley neighbourhood what research and programs are most needed in the community and work collaboratively with residents to accomplish these goals. Always Report Back: Report back to the Beasley community any research or program findings in writing, at meetings, and in conversation to ensure the work results in meaningful community learning and change. ACTIONS:
BNA & McMaster University:
● Community to develop a list of priority research questions to be distributed to prospective researchers and volunteers from local educational institutions ● Create and maintain an archive of material from research projects, programs, and collaborations in Beasley so that they can be reviewed for contributions to diversity and inclusion and shared with the community. ● Continue to support and facilitate student-led research in the Beasley neighbourhood
36 OBJECTIVE: Maintain & enhance opportunities for collaborative learning
37 BEASLEY NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN: SUMMARY OF OBJECTIVES
Health and Wellbeing
1) Improve food security 2) Increase the amount of greenspace in the community relative to grey space 3) Improve housing options & property standards 4) Strengthen business and economic opportunities Safety
1) Keep improving Beasley’s Alleyways 2) Vision Zero 3) Pursue harm-reduction strategies for vulnerable populations 4) Provide positive opportunities for youth, especially vulnerable youth 5) Mitigate aggressive panhandling Parks and Recreation
1) Maintain and expand cycling infrastructure 2) Increase recreation opportunities for youth and seniors 3) Expand & improve Beasley residents’ access recreation infrastructure, especially for swimming & soccer 4) Park expansion and redevelopment Diversity and Inclusion
1) Keep Beasley welcoming & inclusive (“A place everyone can be their best”) 2) Increase awareness of Beasley and its assets 3) Maintain and enhance opportunities for collaborative learning
38 About the Beasley Neighbourhood Association
The BNA was formed in 2007 out of Beasley Neighbours for Neighbours, a group that grew through the support of the Hamilton Community Foundation’s Growing Roots - Strengthening Neighbourhoods program. Our first major initiative was to create a neighbourhood charter (2009-2011), producing the first Beasley Neighbourhood Plan in 2011. Since then, the BNA has focused on making Beasley a better place to live, work and play by pursuing the objectives and activities outlined in the original plan.
The BNA meets the second Wednesday of the month at the Beasley Community Centre (145 Wilson St., Hamilton), except for July and August. We operate by consensus, neighbourliness, and voluntarism, and membership is open to anyone who lives, works and plays in the neighbourhood.
Our Vision is to improve the quality of life for people who work, live and play in the Beasley neighbourhood
Our mission is to build on our capabilities, abilities and strengths to make Beasley a place where everyone can be their best.
Learn More & Contact Us:
Meetings: 2nd Wednesday of Month, 7pm, Beasley Community Centre (145 Wilson St.) Email: [email protected] Website: www.ourbeasley.com
https://www.facebook.com/ourbeasley/
https://twitter.com/OurBeasley
39 BEASLEY NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN Published in Hamilton, Ontario, in February 20I7 by:
bnaBeasley Neighbourhood Association www.ourbeasley.com
Artwork by Paul Elia www.paulelia.ca
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