High Park Movement Strategy - Final Report - backgroundfile-235812.pdf

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• All existing sidewalks in the park will be considered for widening to a minimum of 2.1 metres, the standard defined in the Toronto Accessibility Design Guidelines

• Improvements will prioritize safety, accessibility and the park's natural environment.

• All strategies promoted improved transit and shuttle service, removed angled parking and implemented paid parking.

• Key findings from the existing conditions and background analysis

• Staff are not recommending that full road closures at all times be implemented as part of this phase of work. However, the preferred strategy recognizes the potential benefits of full road closures in High Park and upholds this approach as a desirable future goal for the City to pursue once key conditions are met. These conditions are described in this report and include improved transit and shuttle service within the park to provide affordable, accessible service to interior park destinations, and an automated gating solution to ensure safe and effective traffic operations at key entry and exit points.

• The HPMS is a multi-phased planning study co-led by the Parks, Forestry and Recreation and Transportation Services divisions.

• The preliminary cost estimate for full implementation is within the range of $10 to $15 million in capital investment, which is expected to be phased over approximately four years. This initial estimate assumes full road reconstruction to support new infrastructure. The full implementation requires new physical infrastructure and new operating agreements, which must be supported by further work, including detailed design, costing, and funding budget approvals through annual budget processes.

• The City's ability to continue to deliver parkland improvements is at risk due to the significant financial implications arising from the recently enacted More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (Bill 23).

• The High Park Movement Strategy supports the City's natural systems targets for net zero and takes immediate actions to enhance greenspace.

• The Parkland Strategy, is a 20-year plan that guides the planning of Toronto's park system

• Ravine Strategy Implementation with amendments. This report identified ten Priority Investment Areas (PIA) across Toronto's Ravine System that will be the focus for capital investments to advance the implementation of the Ravine Strategy over the next ten years. High Park was one of ten PIAs identified

• TransformTO - Critical Steps for Net Zero by 2040

• The park spans over 160 hectares, much of which is recognized for its environmental significance. It accommodates a wide range of activities, amenities and ecological, recreational and cultural functions.

• legacy park

• Beginning in March 2020, all roads within High Park were closed to visitor vehicles on weekends and holidays in order to provide more space for park users while respecting physical distancing.

• Other challenges, such as limited transit service, inconsistent wayfinding, and conflict between pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, require a resolution.

• The study was launched in the summer of 2021 and aimed to develop a comprehensive response to the transportation challenges and opportunities in the park.

• The Parkside Drive study is a companion to the High Park Movement Strategy, and any changes contemplated for High Park will be considered in parallel with the Parkside Drive Study

• Other features that are being considered are pavement markings, raised crosswalks, textured pavement and road narrowing.

• A newly numbered 203 High Park bus will be replacing the former 30B route that provided seasonal service in previous years. The 203 High Park is planned to operate every 20 minutes between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm. This will be a circular route traveling to and from High Park subway station to various destinations within the park. The exact routing and stop locations will be determined by TTC and will be shared on the TTC website.