Joint Partnership and Public & Government Engagement Committee – October 11, 2017

Item 9 – Ravine-to-Marine Opportunity

Chris Glaisek

Purpose The purpose of the study is to examine the Central Waterfront Public Realm/Island Management Plan Enhancements in the broader context of the emerging Ravine Strategy and TOCore Study. As Waterfront begins work on the Flood Protection and Enabling Infrastructure Project there is growing interest in enhancing the city’s ravine system, which creates a unique opportunity to link the waterfront with the broader city. A coordinated metropolitan-scale park strategy, like the Emerald Necklace in Boston, could address macro-level issues of recreation, habitat, resiliency, mobility and infrastructure. This strategy could in turn inform the public realm along the waterfront in terms of neighborhoods, destinations, sustainability, and engagement. The study would look to answer questions such as:

• How could the Central Waterfront/Islands be part of an “emerald necklace” for Toronto? • How might a response to that larger context inform development on the waterfront, including Quayside and the Port Lands? • How might and the evolve to tie in to that larger context? • What are the best practices in public realm development around the world and how can those lessons be applied to create an identity for the Toronto waterfront? • What are the best governance models for implementation? Summary Work Plan A focused effort over the next six to eight months would address the following:

• Forming an Advisory Group and defining specific goals and objectives for the study – 1 month • Best practices research and interviews – 1 to 2 months • Establishing principles and design criteria – 1 month • Developing alternative concept plans – 1 to 2 months • Identifying a list of 10-20 priority projects – 1 month • Developing a final recommendations report – 1 month

Advisory Group A special advisory group would be created to review the work at each stage and provide a base of support for the final strategy. Potential members could include the Chair of the Partnership Committee, leaders of the Ravine Strategy effort, select members of ’s Design Review Panel, and other notable authorities on best practices and new thinking about public realm systems.

Funding Much of the research and strategy development would be done with in-house Waterfront Toronto staff. Design work and production of the final plan would be done by consultants. Funding for consultant work would be sought from potential outside sources, such as the McConnell Foundation, and WT or an existing entity such as the Waterfront Regeneration Trust could be engaged to act as a recipient for philanthropic contributions to priority projects identified in the plan.

Geography The map on the following page highlights the areas included in the Ravine Strategy and the TOCore Study to illustrate their potential relationship to the waterfront park system. A protocol for working with other entities and the study area boundary would be established early in the process.