Chorley Park Trail Connection

Chorley Park Trail Connection
New Design Options
Information Booklet
Prepared for June 9, 2014
Public Meeting
Chorley Park Trail Booklet – June 9, 2014
Page 1 of 12
Our Goals for the Chorley Park Trail Connection
The City of Toronto, in partnership with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), is
working towards the construction of a new multi-use trail to connect Chorley Park to the Beltline Trail,
Moore Park Ravine and the Don Valley Brick Works Park.
• Build a trail that is safe for a variety of users with
differing abilities
• Protect existing butternut trees and minimize impact
on other native trees
• Provide for natural environment protection and
restoration planting
• Address erosion and stability of the slope
• Establish a long term and low maintenance solution
This project is part of a larger plan to improve the Beltline Line Trail in terms of safety, protection and
restoration of the natural environment, accessibility, connectivity and user experience.
Chorley Park Trail Booklet – June 9, 2014
Page 2 of 12
Context Map
Chorley Park as it exists today (June 2014)
North
Benches Lookout
Chorley
Park
Previously
Disturbed
Areas
Tree Removal Area
(completed winter 2014)
Existing Footpaths
(to be removed)
Access to
Don Valley Brick
Works Park
Flagstone Stairway
Bridge
Timber Stairs
(to be removed)
Existing Asphalt Trail
(to be removed)
* Tree Protection Zones for Butternut trees are normally required to be 25m, but we have obtained
permission from the Ministry of Natural Resources to reduce this to 15m for this project.
Chorley Park Trail Booklet – June 9, 2014
Page 3 of 12
Timber Staircase and Footpaths to be Removed
The existing footpaths, broken asphalt
trail and deteriorating timber staircase
at Chorley Park are not safe for public
use and will be removed and
converted to a natural forest condition.
Rehabilitation of this
existing infrastructure to
bring it to up to standard
and safe for public use is
not possible at its current
location because of the
potential construction
impact on the endangered
butternut trees (which are
Erosion on steep footpath
Deteriorating timber staircase
protected under the Ontario
Endangered Species Act) as well as
other important native trees.
The existing network of numerous
informal footpaths is harming the
quality of the local forest environment,
inhibiting healthy ground cover and
contributing to erosion of the hillside.
Effective forest
restoration is achieved by
concentrating users on a
formal trail, keeping
vegetation from being
trampled.
Old asphalt trail next to butternut trees
Chorley Park Trail Booklet – June 9, 2014
Page 4 of 12
What We Have Heard from the Community
Over the past couple of months the City has received a high volume of passionate and concerned
comments covering a range of opinions on this project:
•
Cutting down trees was
unnecessary destruction
•
Use fewer
switchbacks
•
Asphalt is not appropriate
•
•
We don’t like stone retaining
walls or wood fencing
3m is too wide for
the path
•
•
We don’t want more strangers
coming to our park
Make it a rustic,
woodland pedestrian
trail
•
We don’t want more cars
parking in this area
•
Hurry up with the
native plantings
•
We don’t want to lose our
toboggan run
•
Don’t delay this project
because of the negative
reaction to tree removal
•
An accessible connection to
the Brick Works and ravine
trail will clearly benefit the
vast majority
•
We look forward to easy
bike access
We are always glad to hear from residents who care about public parks and trails, and we will do our
best to address concerns in this civic engagement process.
Toronto Makes Trails for Everyone
Diversity Our Strength
Rain or shine, we want everyone to feel comfortable and
safe using this trail connection:
•
Walkers, hikers, joggers and runners
•
Nature enthusiasts of all ages
•
Child guardians with strollers
•
Cyclists
(walking their bikes)
•
Dog owners
•
People with physical
disabilities
(e.g. who use walkers,
wheelchairs or canes)
photo credit Lynn Friedman
Chorley Park Trail Booklet – June 9, 2014
Page 5 of 12
Asphalt is the Recommended Trail Surface
While we appreciate many people have requested the trail be a more
natural or granular surface, asphalt remains the recommended solution.
Asphalt is a stable and firm surface that has some flexibility before
cracking. It is also much less susceptible to rutting from storm water, or
being slippery after rain, both of which are serious concerns on the
Chorley slope.
Although not obvious, many of the existing trails on Chorley slope are
constructed of asphalt. Even now in disrepair, the asphalt is still
protecting soils and tree roots in places.
A reliably safe trail for all users on this slope requires a paved
surface like asphalt.
Wide Enough for Comfortable Passing
Severe rutting in granular
surface at Milkman's Lane
(which is approx. 12%
slope at its steepest)
We are not expecting crowds of users on this trail connection, but we do
want to allow for comfortable two-way travel, passing, and people to
easily walk side-by-side without going off-trail and thus harming the
surrounding restored natural areas.
A three meter width is recommended, which again is best served with
paving to avoid puddles and rutting and to prevent widening of the trail
into the natural environment caused by people walking around
wet/damaged areas that occur more commonly on non-paved surfaces.
Example 2.5m wide trail
Chorley Park Hillside Options – We Want Your Feedback!
On the following pages are summary descriptions of the main options for Chorley Park Hillside that
the City and TRCA consider to be acceptable. We invite your feedback, in particular:
1. What features do you like or dislike about each option?
2. Are the options presented fairly? If not, what should be changed?
3. What other design possibilities would you suggest?
All Options Include Restoration
Consistent to all the options, each plan would include:
•
Remove existing footpaths, broken asphalt trail and deteriorating timber staircase and convert
those areas to a natural forest condition
•
Plant slope with native trees and shrubs around any proposed infrastructure
•
Implementation of a broader ravine management plan to address current hazards and target
improvements to biodiversity and ecological integrity
Chorley Park Trail Booklet – June 9, 2014
Page 6 of 12
Chorley Park Trail Hillside
Option 1 - No Formal Trails, Forest
In this option the entire hillside would be converted
back to a forest condition.
Signs would be installed to indicate existing trails
are closed.
No infrastructure would be installed on the slope:
complete area would be planted with native
species trees and shrubs.
Fences may be required to protect newly planted
areas.
Pros
Cons
•
Potential for improving the ravine
environment
•
Some of the tree removals already completed
would have been un-necessary
•
Lowest cost and quickest
implementation
•
No formal connection provided from Chorley Park
to the Beltline Trail and the Brick Works Park.
•
A network of informal footpaths will certainly be
recreated, due to lack of formal trail and the desire
of many park users to access the area. These
footpaths will disturb the natural environment,
including newly restored areas, and may be
unsafe.
Chorley Park Trail Booklet – June 9, 2014
Page 7 of 12
Chorley Park Trail Hillside
Option 2 – Original Switchback Proposal
A typical muti-use asphalt trail that
traverses the slope in a zig-zag
pattern at a moderate grade with
many convenient connections and
accessible and comfortable for a
variety of users with differing
abilities. Natural limestone
retaining walls (up to 1.8m high
(6ft) in some sections) and wood
fencing used along the complete
length.
Trail Width: 3.0 meters
Slope: moderate 6.8% grade.
# of switchbacks: Five
1.
Connections from
Chorley Park: Three
1. Path from Douglas Dr. to
existing northern lookout
2. A new central steel
staircase from the top of
the slop to the first
switchback
2.
3. Existing south western
limestone staircase from
heritage driveway)
Connections to the Beltline Tail:
Two (north & south located close
to existing foot trail connections)
3.
Pros
•
6.8% grade is a more reasonable than the
alternative 8.0-10.0% as it will allow access for
a variety of users with differing abilities
•
Convenient south and north direct connections
to the Beltline Trail
•
3m provide comfortable passing on the trail
Chorley Park Trail Booklet – June 9, 2014
Cons
•
Extensive retaining walls and fences may feel "overengineered"
•
Planting space is limited to areas beside the trail and
between switchbacks
•
More switchbacks result in longer distance traveled
Page 8 of 12
Chorley Park Trail Hillside
Options 3, 4 and 5 – Modified Switchback
These options also propose a
typical muti-use asphalt trail that
traverses the slope in a zig-zag
pattern with natural lime stone
retaining walls (up to 1.8m high (6ft)
in some sections) and wood fencing
used along the complete length.
The key modifications between
these and the original switchback
proposal include:
•
Eliminates proposed
formalized path through upper
park from Douglas Dr. at
Astley Ave.
•
Removes proposed staircase
from central area of park
•
Reduced trail width from
original 3.0 metres down to 2.5
metres
•
Variations on the design of the
switchbacks
1.
2.
Trail Width: 2.5 meters
Slope: Moderate 6.8% to steeper
8% grade.
Option 3 shown here (4 & 5 are on the following page)
# of switchbacks: Three to five
Connections from Chorley Park: Two
1. Existing northern lookout
2. Existing southwestern limestone staircase from heritage driveway.
Connections to the Beltline Tail: One - north direction (location varies)
Pros
Cons
Common to all three Modified Switchback options
•
•
Reduction in trail
surface width
provides marginally
more space for
plantings
•
Narrower trail width is less comfortable for passing
•
Less convenient connections at Chorley Park
•
Less direct connection if going south on the Beltline Trail e.g. to
Brick Works
Removing steel
staircase reduces
construction costs
•
Not including the proposed staircase removes an entry point that
is currently used
•
Extensive retaining walls and fences may feel "over-engineered"
Chorley Park Trail Booklet – June 9, 2014
Page 9 of 12
Differences Between Options 3, 4 and 5
Op
Description
Connections
# of
Switch to the
backs Beltline Tail
Slope
Pros
Cons
3
Same design as
original, but without
south direction
connection to Beltline
Trail or connection to
Douglas Dr.
5
North-only,
located near
existing foot
trail
Moderate
at 6.8%
Does not increase the
requirement for
additional tree
removals
(see common "cons" on
previous page)
Extend 2nd last
switchback from the
bottom of the slope at
the same grade (6.8%)
and connect to Beltline
trail further north
3
North-only,
located
further north
Moderate
at 6.8%
More direct
connection – if going
north on Beltline Trail
More tree removals may be
required to extend 2nd last
switchback (species and
health unknown)
Steeper switchback at
8% grade, with
additional landings and
extend 2nd last
switchback
3
4
5
This area at the base of the
mature native forest could
otherwise be planted (e.g.
hemlock, ferns).
North-only,
located
further north
Option 4
Chorley Park Trail Booklet – June 9, 2014
Steeper
at 8%
More direct
connection – if going
north on Beltline Trail
May be too steep for some
users
Additional landings
provide for rest stops.
Option 5
Page 10 of 12
Chorley Park Trail Hillside
Options 6 – Staircase with Bike Trough
In this option we aim to provide a reliable and
safe trail connection without the need for a
switchback by installing a staircase structure
down entire slope.
The design would include a bicycle trough on at
least one side of the stairs to make it easier for
cyclists to roll their bikes up and down.
?
Staircase location and recommended materials to
be determined
Tread Width: 2.1m Slope: standard stairs
# of switchbacks: None
Connections from Chorley Park: One
Connections to the Beltline Tail: One
Pros
•
Provides a direct trail
connection
•
Staircase minimizes the
size of the impacted area
of the slope and provides
additional area for tree and
shrub planting
Location of potential stairs and
connecting trail to be determined
Cons
•
Limits accessibility for all but most able-bodied users
•
Not accessible for strollers or wheelchairs
•
Not as pet friendly (many dogs do not like walking on open-riser or metal stairs)
•
Vegetation under the stairs would have to be managed
•
Structure requires higher maintenance than an asphalt trail
•
May require additional tree removals
•
Will require additional geotechnical analysis and completely new design and
tendering process
•
Will likely eliminate connection to existing trail under bridge
•
Steel and wood stairs may feel "over-engineered"
Chorley Park Trail Booklet – June 9, 2014
Page 11 of 12
Next Steps
Following the June 9, 2014 public meeting, staff will use the feedback provided during the workshop
to inform the finalizing of the trail design options in preparation for an online survey.
Online Survey to Follow
The online survey would include the updated and refined information presented in this booklet and a
finalized set of options, which may include new designs suggested by you today.
For each option the key question will be:
•
On scale of 1-5, how acceptable is this option for Chorley Park Hillside?
We will also ask participants to prioritize the options and provide additional feedback.
The survey will be will be open to anyone. Participants will be asked questions about where they live
in relationship to the park and measures will be taken to validate this information.
We will also ask questions about trail user types and some very basic demographics.
Measures will be taken in order to reduce the chance of repeat submissions. Survey results will be
published as anonymous aggregated data.
Interpretation of the survey results will be weighted to give priority to:
•
•
those who live closer to the trail e.g. within a 15 minute walk
those who use the trail most often e.g. more than once a week in warmer weather
Weighting may also be adjusted to represent a fair balance of various types of Toronto trail users.
We request your suggestions on what approaches you would recommend to make this proposed
online survey and its interpretation as fair and transparent as possible.
Time Line Going Forward*
•
•
•
•
•
•
June 9, 2014 – Public meeting
Mid-June – Staff review and publish results
Mid-June – Further consultation with Resident Associations on options and survey approach
July 2014 – Online Survey
August 2014 – City announces design decision
Early 2015 – Begin Implementation of design
*dates subject to change
We Would Like To Hear From You
Public engagement is an important part of this project. You are invited to learn more and to share
your insights and opinions at any time. For more information, please contact:
Jason Diceman, Public Consultation Unit, City of Toronto
Tel: 416-338-2830 | Fax: 416-392-2974 | Email: jdicema@toronto.ca
Wendy Strickland Natural Environment Specialist Urban Forestry, City of Toronto
Tel: 416-392-7111 | Fax: 416-338-1069 | Email: wstrick@toronto.ca
www.toronto.ca/chorleytrail
Chorley Park Trail Booklet – June 9, 2014
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