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Lake Wilcox Sustainable Neighbourhood Retrofit Action Plan (SNAP)

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Lake Wilcox Sustainable Neighbourhood Retrofit Action Plan (SNAP) Lake Wilcox Sustainable Neighbourhood Retrofit Action Plan (SNAP) Performance Monitoring Interim Report 2015 Lake Wilcox SNAP Performance Monitoring Interim Report 1.0 Overview of Lake Wilcox SNAP Action Plan 1.1 Setting, issues and key SNAP actions. 3 1.2 Objectives, targets and expected outcomes... 4 1.3 Baseline Conditions 4 2.0 Performance Monitoring Objectives.. 5 3.0 Implementation Projects and Programs - Monitoring Methods and Results 3.1 Front Yard Makeover... 5 3.1.1 Introduction and Key Objectives 5 3.1.2 Stormwater Runoff and Rainwater Re-Use Monitoring.. 7 3.1.3 Homeowner Survey and Feedback... 9 3.1.4 Photographic Survey of Neighbouring Streetscapes 10 3.1.5 Observations and Lessons Learned 11 3.2 Residential Eco-Landscape Program 3.2.1 Introduction and Key Objectives.... 13 3.2.2 Program Events, Attendance and Uptake 14 3.2.3 Program Uptake and Outcomes 20 3.2.4 Observations and Lessons Learned. 25 3.3 Residential Energy Program 3.3.1 Introduction and Key Objectives 26 3.3.2 Program Uptake and Outcomes 26 3.3.3 Observations and Lessons Learned. 27 3.4 Solar Pool Hot Water Heater Pilot Program 3.4.1 Introduction and Key Objectives 29 3.4.2 Program Uptake... 29 3.4.3 Observations and Lessons Learned. 30 3.5 School Projects 3.5.1 Bond Lake Public School Bioswale... 30 4.0 Neighbourhood Scale Monitoring Methods and Results... 30 5.0 Overall Evaluation of Monitoring Results and Comparison to Other 31 Programs. 6.0 Conclusions and Recommendations .. 33 APPENDICES A - Lake Wilcox SNAP – Summary of Baseline Conditions and Targets 34 B - Front Yard Makeover Homeowner Surveys.. 37 C - Environics Telephone Survey December 8 – 18, 2014 42 D - Eco-landscaping Elements Implemented as part of SNAP and Partner Programs.. 62 2 1.0 Overview of Lake Wilcox SNAP Action Plan The Lake Wilcox SNAP Action Plan was developed in 2012 by TRCA, in cooperation with the Regional Municipality of York (York Region), Town of Richmond Hill, LEAF and Oak Ridges Friends of the Environment. The theme of this SNAP is “Embracing Nature in the Community” and the residential program forms a significant focus for implementation. Through the program offers and uptake, the goal is to keep Lake Wilcox and the local natural areas healthy, while also strengthening the unique sense of community among new and longtime residents. The SNAP focuses on actions which can be taken within the neighbourhood for the benefit of the receiving waters, adjacent forests and wetlands, and ultimately the broader global environment. As one of a series of pilot SNAPs a key objective is to seek ways to increase participation in sustainability actions. Therefore monitoring implementation performance is an important component of the work. Although implementation has only been underway for two years, this Interim Report provides insights that can inform program directions and adaptations. 1.1 Setting, issues and key SNAP actions Setting The Lake Wilcox SNAP is located within the Town of Richmond Hill, York Region. The area is roughly bounded by Bloomington Road at the north, Old Colony Road at the south, Yonge Street on the west and Bayview Avenue on the east. The neighbourhood consists of approximately 3900 homes, of which about 3200 are relatively new (<10-15 years) and the remainder of varying ages dating back to the original cottage community of the 1940s. Whether long time residents or newcomers, many share a common appreciation for the natural setting and a strong interest in being part of the community. Issues Lake Wilcox is a unique local treasure – the largest kettle lake on the ecologically significant Oak Ridges Moraine. Located in the headwaters of the historic Humber River watershed, the community of Oak Ridges is surrounded by provincially significant wetlands and stands of forest, home to sensitive plant, bird, amphibian and fish species. Ongoing residential development and growing numbers of visitors to the area stress its highly valued natural features. Elevated phosphorus levels in the Lake are an ongoing concern. Although the Town has been actively implementing actions in the public realm under the guidance of its Lake Wilcox Remediation Strategy (Gartner Lee Ltd., 1996), there is still more that private homeowners can do on their properties to reduce phosphorus loads to the Lake. The Town recognizes that now the main phosphorus load to the Lake is from internal release from the lake bottom sediments. However, continual efforts at source involving lot level actions to reduce phosphorus and other pollutants will be important to maintaining Lake water quality over the long term. Partner Objectives The SNAP identifies actions that will complement work by the Town under its Lake Wilcox Remediation Strategy and further objectives of the Humber Watershed Plan, York Region’s Long Term Water Conservation Strategy and Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan, ORFE’s Oak Ridges on the Moraine: A guide to the natural environment and the community, and various climate change strategies, among others. The partners are committed to taking a science-based 3 approach to monitoring and evaluation of the SNAP’s performance at achieving its objectives and contributing to those of others. Actions The Lake Wilcox SNAP focuses on Embracing Nature in the Community through the following main action areas: residential eco-landscaping, green renovations and energy and visitor stewardship. Particular to these areas, the following actions have been implemented in the first two years following the planning stage. • Front Yard Makeovers • Residential Eco-Landscaping Program • Residential Energy Program • Solar Pool Hot Water Heater Pilot Program • School Projects 1.2 Objectives, targets and expected outcomes The long term goals of the SNAP Action Plan are to contribute to improved water quality within Lake Wilcox, enhance greater regional biodiversity associated with the larger natural heritage system of which the SNAP area is a part, and unite residents in a shared experience of neighbourhood. During implementation of the Plan, the SNAP also seeks to achieve an over- arching goal of improved overall neighbourhood sustainability. The SNAP has identified the following objectives and targeted outcomes: • Expand the urban forest from 27% to 35% of the study area through residential eco- landscaping of a portion of all front and rear yards. In the short term, double tree cover in residential areas by eco-landscaping 55% of residential lots. • Reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality (40-50% phosphorus removal) through adoption of eco-landscaping on 46% of residential lots in priority areas – those not served by stormwater ponds and where soil and groundwater conditions are appropriate for stormwater infiltration. • Conserve water by reducing outdoor tap water use through rain harvesting and replacement of water-intensive lawns and gardens with water efficient plantings. • Strengthen a shared sense of place among new and longtime community residents. 1.3 Baseline Conditions Baseline conditions for neighbourhood features that form a focus for the Action Plan have been established as part of the Lake Wilcox SNAP studies and summarized in Appendix A. Conditions and long term trends in the health of Lake Wilcox itself are tracked by the Oak Ridges Friends of the Environment through the Ministry of the Environment’s Lake Partners Monitoring Program and by the Town of Richmond Hill. Results collected by the Town are reported as part of the Town’s Lake Wilcox remediation studies. Update studies take place approximately every five years. 4 2.0 Performance Monitoring Objectives Monitoring has taken place at two different scales to address the following objectives: Lot scale (2 year timeframe) 1. Determine the tap water savings and stormwater runoff volume reduction attributable to stormwater collection and re-use at a Front Yard Makeover site. 2. Evaluate the homeowner experience resulting from the Front Yard Makeover eco-landscaping installations. Neighbourhood scale (2-5 year timeframe) 1. Determine the effectiveness of the Front Yard Makeover demonstrations in influencing the adoption of eco-landscaping by other nearby homeowners. 2. Track the number of homes within the Lake Wilcox SNAP neighbourhood which adopt eco- landscaping actions, including planting of trees, shrubs and plants in areas prescribed by the SNAP or installing stormwater management measures to retain or re-use stormwater on their property. 3. Determine the aggregated neighbourhood water use reductions. 4. Estimate the increase in urban forest cover and stormwater runoff reduction resulting from the adoption of eco-landscaping. 5. Evaluate the extent to which homeowner decisions were influenced by eco-landscaping program offers. 6. Establish a measure of “sense of community”, estimate trends in this measure over time and determine the extent to which SNAP may have contributed. Importantly, gathering these observations and measuring outcomes to date will provide information and insight which will then help guide the focus and shape for future plans of action. 3.0 Implementation Projects and Programs - Monitoring Methods and Results 3.1 Front Yard Makeover 3.1.1 Introduction and Key Objectives Two homeowners were selected from among nineteen interested applicants to be the recipients of an eco-landscaping demonstration on their property. The two Front Yard Makeover demonstration projects were installed in July-September 2012, at 95 Wheelwright Drive and 20 Wheatsheaf Street, Richmond Hill (see below for before and after pictures).
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