Review of Parks and Recreation Animal Operations (Various Wards)
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
CITY CLERK Clause embodied in Report No. 3 of the Economic Development and Parks Committee, as adopted by the Council of the City of Toronto at its meeting held on April 16, 17 and 18, 2002. 1 Review of Parks and Recreation Animal Operations (Various Wards) (City Council on April 16, 17 and 18, 2002, amended this Clause by deleting Recommendation No. (3) of the Economic Development and Parks Committee and inserting in lieu thereof the following new Recommendation No. (3): “(3) that the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be requested to work with the Advisory Committees of Riverdale Farm, Far Enough Farm and the High Park Zoo, and, in consultation with the Toronto Zoo, to prepare animal management plans for each site; and further, that these plans include an outline for ongoing input and consultation with the Toronto Zoo.”) The Economic Development and Parks Committee recommends: (1) the adoption of the report (February 28, 2002) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism; (2) the adoption of the report (February 25, 2002) from the General Manager and CEO of the Toronto Zoo; and (3) that the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be requested to work with Riverdale Farm Advisory Committee to prepare an Animal Management Plan for Riverdale Farm, in consultation with the Toronto Zoo, the said Animal Management Plan to also include other animal operation sites such as the High Park Zoo and Far Enough Farm (Centre Island); and further such plan include an outline for ongoing input and consultation with the Toronto Zoo. The Economic Development and Parks Committee reports, for the information of Council, having requested the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism to undertake ways to measure the number of patrons that attend the facilities outlined in the report (February 28, 2002) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism. The Economic Development and Parks Committee submits the report (February 28, 2002) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism: Toronto City Council2 Economic Development and Parks Committee April 16, 17 and 18, 2002 Report No. 3, Clause No. 1 Purpose: To report as requested by the Economic Development and Parks Committee, at its meetings of March 29, 2001 and May 14, 2001, on the co-ordination of the Toronto Zoo/Farms and Petting Zoos. Financial Implications and Impact Statement: There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report. Recommendations: It is recommended that: (1) the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, through the Parks and Recreation Division, continue to manage the four City animal operation sites; (2) the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism review the findings and recommendations of the Toronto Zoo investigation and establish, in consultation with Toronto Zoo staff, a plan to address the findings and recommendations; and (3) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto. Background: Since March 2001, the Toronto Zoo and Parks and Recreation Division staff have been reviewing the feasibility of co-ordinating the City’s five animal operations, including the Toronto Zoo. On May 14, 2001, a report was submitted to the Economic Development and Parks Committee jointly from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism and the General Manager and CEO of the Toronto Zoo, providing an outline of the review. Throughout July and August 2001, the Parks and Recreation Division conducted a participant survey at Riverdale Farm, High Park Zoo and Far Enough Farm. Results of the survey indicated that: Far Enough Farm had 100 percent of the respondents rate the site between good and excellent; High Park Zoo had 92 percent of the respondents rate the site between good and excellent and Riverdale Farm had 85 percent of the respondents rate the site between good and excellent. In January of 2002, community consultation meetings for High Park Zoo, Far Enough Farm and Riverdale Farm were held with the Chair of the Toronto Zoo, Local Councillors and area residents. The purpose was to explain the process to date, review the three options with the community and gather input. The results from the three meetings indicated an overall preference to continue to have the Parks and Recreation Division operate the sites in each community. It should be noted that the community meeting at Riverdale Farm displayed interest in having the zoo involved in the operation by a small margin. Toronto City Council3 Economic Development and Parks Committee April 16, 17 and 18, 2002 Report No. 3, Clause No. 1 Conclusions: The Parks and Recreation Division will continue to operate its animal sites and establish a mutually acceptable partnership with the Toronto Zoo to enhance the quality of service to the public and to the animals in its care. The Parks and Recreation Division staff will review the findings and recommendations of the Toronto Zoo as the basis for establishing a plan of action to address the items identified in the Toronto Zoo report. The Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, Parks and Recreation Division welcome the assistance of the Toronto Zoo staff in the development of these plans. Contact Name: Ms. Claire Tucker–Reid, General Manager, Parks and Recreation Division, Telephone: 416-392-8182, Fax: 416-392- 8085, Email: [email protected]. The Economic Development and Parks Committee also submits the following report (February 25, 2002) from the General Manager and CEO, Toronto Zoo: Purpose: To report on the review of four Parks and Recreation facilities that exhibit animals to the public and the possible co-ordination of these facilities with the Toronto Zoo. Recommendation: It is recommended that the Parks and Recreation Division continue to operate the four facilities. Financial Implications and Impact Statement: There are no financial implications. Background: Since March 2001, staff from the Toronto Zoo and Parks and Recreation Division have been reviewing the feasibility of co-ordinating the City’s five animal operations, including the Toronto Zoo. On May 14, 2001, a report was submitted to the Economic Development and Parks Committee jointly from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism and the General Manager and CEO of the Toronto Zoo, providing an outline of the review. There are four animal facilities operated by the Parks and Recreation Division. These are: (a) Riverdale Farm: Replicates a small 19th century Ontario farm. Features farm animal breeds sanctioned by Rare Breeds Canada. Animals include horses, cows, pigs, goats, rabbits, ducks and chickens. Located in Cabbagetown near Gerrard Street and Parliament Street. Toronto City Council4 Economic Development and Parks Committee April 16, 17 and 18, 2002 Report No. 3, Clause No. 1 (b) Far Enough Farm: Provides visitors the opportunity to see and touch a variety of domestic farm animals including donkeys, horses, sheep, goats and pigs, and also a pair of emus. Located on Centre Island. (c) High Park Zoo: Displays a range of primarily non-domestic animals, including bison, mouflon, llamas, highland cattle and barbary sheep. Located within High Park. (d) Thomson Park Zoo: A smaller seasonal operation that provides an interactive setting with donkeys, goats, sheep, rabbits and chickens during the summer months. Located in Thomson Park near Lawrence Avenue and Brimley Avenue. The following Guiding Principles were accepted in undertaking the review: (a) the care and safety of the animals is a priority; (b) animal management expertise, within the City of Toronto, resides with the Toronto Zoo; (c) animal management is not within the core business of the Parks and Recreation Division; and (d) the public must maintain access to opportunities to visit and learn more about a variety of domestic and non domestic animals. Four potential operational scenarios were reviewed: (a) Option 1: Toronto Zoo assumes responsibility for all aspects of the operation of Riverdale Farm, High Park Zoo, Far Enough Farm, Thomson Park Petting Zoo; (b) Option 2: Toronto Zoo assumes responsibility for all aspects of animal management at all four Parks and Recreation animal sites; (c) Option 3: Parks and Recreation retains responsibility for all four sites and enters into a formal service level agreement with the Zoo regarding animal management; and (d) Option 4: Status Quo. No involvement by the Toronto Zoo. Review Process: The Toronto Zoo made several visits to each facility to gather information. The focus of these visits was to assess for each site: - animal care practices; - staffing levels and duties; - condition of buildings and grounds; - educational focus; - community involvement; - environmental sensitivities; - operating costs: current and future; - revenue potential; - capital investment needs; and - existing long term plans. Toronto City Council5 Economic Development and Parks Committee April 16, 17 and 18, 2002 Report No. 3, Clause No. 1 Much of this information was provided from two site visits to each facility, described as follows: - A three person team from the Toronto Zoo, with considerable animal care expertise, visited these sites to assess whether these zoos would meet the standards of the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA). CAZA is a national organization that has an accreditation process; the Toronto Zoo is an accredited CAZA member. The accreditation process measures a number of attributes including: level of animal care, veterinary care, public safety, security of collection, and whether the facility has education and conservation programs. - A preliminary building audit was undertaken, led by the Toronto Zoo’s Manager of Facilities and Services, to ascertain the general condition of the buildings and to estimate the costs to bring these buildings up to Toronto Zoo standards, as needed. Visual observation and discussion with Parks staff focused on the building structure and servicing, public pathways, and paddock fencing. Other sources of information included the following: - While visiting New York City, Councillor Mammoliti and Mr.