Sunnidale Goal Obj Princ Aug29

SUNNIDALE PARK MASTER PLAN August 2007 As a result of public input provided for the Sunnidale Park Master Plan. The projects Goal, Objectives and Guiding Principles have been updated to accommodate suggested changes. To help illustrate the updates, all new wording is underlined while any deletions are stroked out.

GOAL AND OBJECTIVES The Goal of the Sunnidale Park Master Plan is to guide the development of a passive park over the short, medium and long term, including identify a preferred location within the park for a water reservoir facility while protecting and enhancing the existing open space and natural heritage features. The goal is supported by the following five Objectives: 1. To define an area for the water reservoir in Sunnidale Park which will have the best fit with the existing open space and recreational facilities. 2. Design and locate existing and proposed park facilities with regard for minimizing potential development impacts on the natural landscape of Sunnidale Park and sensitive natural heritage features. 3. With sustainability in mind for the park, select and design suitable recreational activities and uses that are sympathetic to and promote the intrinsic natural qualities and characteristics of the site while meeting the recreational needs of the public. 4. Encourage the public’s sense of stewardship for the park, a desire to protect the flora and fauna and increase education about the natural features, land management practises and/or City policies on open space stewardship. 5. To create an implementation and management plan that can be phased over a reasonable time frame.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES Guiding Principles help to ensure the Sunnidale Park Master Plan is implemented with a consistent development approach. They are referred to: ƒ

when implementation options are being prioritized;

ƒ

when individual facilities are being implemented; and

ƒ

when changes to the master plan are being contemplated.

For ease of reading, the following guiding principles which have been identified for Sunnidale Park, have been categorized under two sections: planning & design and protecting & managing. They include:

SUNNIDALE PARK MASTER PLAN August 2007 Planning & Design •

Providing facilities that allow for year-round daytime use of the park.

•

Accommodating a water reservoir facility. Designing a water reservoir facility that has minimal visual impact on the park.

•

Recognizing the council designated arboretum lands and the 2001 approved Arboretum Master Plan.

•

Recognizing the council designated Dog off Leash Recreational Area (DOLRA).

•

Accommodating the following user groups where suitable: local residents, students, mobilityimpaired, tourists, the Barrie’s Garden Club and municipal recreational programs where possible.

•

Providing appropriate off-street parking facilities where required and needed to accommodate park uses while still minimizing the extent of vehicular intrusion into the parkland (i.e. driveways and parking lots).

•

Providing safe well defined access and egress to/from the park for park users, park service vehicles, and emergency services.

•

Creating a sense of entry at key park entrances.

•

Providing a hierarchy of recreational trail loops connecting park facilities and features throughout the park.

•

Providing a series of unique and interesting destination points, where suitable, throughout the park.

•

Naturally screening views to and the sounds from Highway 400 where possible.

•

Utilizing existing disturbed areas (as opposed to undisturbed natural areas) for park development wherever possible as a first consideration.

•

Providing connections to adjacent neighbourhoods, City trail networks, City cycling routes and public transit.

•

Designing a reservoir facility which will be respectful and blend with the park and local neighbourhood character.

•

Limiting park lighting to key access points and park facilities only where required.

Protecting & Managing •

Protecting and managing existing natural and heritage resources (i.e. floral and faunal, geologic, geomorphologic, archaeological and aquatic) wherever possible.

•

Minimizing alteration of grades particularly steep slopes.

•

Protecting and enhancing the water quality and habitat of Kidd’s Creek.

•

Promoting wildlife habitat conservation.

SUNNIDALE PARK MASTER PLAN August 2007 •

Promoting opportunities for natural and cultural heritage interpretation/education.

•

Discouraging private property encroachment onto the parkland.

•

Prohibiting non essential motorized uses in the park. Encouraging non-motorized uses in the park where environmentally suitable.

•

Encouraging use of the park by small groups of people and individuals.

•

Considering partnership opportunities for park development, management, and education (i.e. service clubs and agencies).

•

Discouraging bicycling on non-designated trails within the park.