chbosp nov 30 session harvest digest

Innovations Gathering – November 30th

Harvest

2011

1 Open Spaces: Cole Harbour Basin

December 9, 2011

Project 1 Beautiful Open Spaces need to be versatile. (C-a.c.d.e.f.g.) Host Jan S.

o Pondering the future land use of the County of Halifax Rehab Hospital Property.

i. In relation to the Forrest Hills Common, Bisset Lake Park and the Coastal Heritage Park what are the unique characteristics of the Rehab Lands?

ii. Please conduct a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats (SWOT) Analysis.

Essential Info:

Demolition of Rehab Hospital buildings Big Questions:

Future use of the site Integration with open space uses Contribution to open space

Round #1: What is at the root of your project?

Solar farm (artistic) Lake usage Trails Active sports fields Park

Not building development From map sheet – solar farm/art; healthy lake needed – storm sewage drains

stopped; connecting community to trails; sports fields; not developed into residencies, etc; park land

Round #2: What could be added to make this project/initiative more complete?

Protect shoreline

A dog park Turf field View (elements cannot take from the view) Interpretive centre


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Parking Bathroom

Safe area playground Active living style Picnic area Masterplan From map sheet – protect view; not homes; sport fields; connect to CHH Park;

preserve sightlines; dog park; don’t develop it;soccer – park land; cemetary?; park with bathrooms; interpretive centre

Round #3: What are your next steps and key learnings?

Accessible shoreline of the lake.

From map sheet – picnic park like Dartmouth Common; community garden; water access; sportsfields; beach area; boating access; cross country recreation BMX – run – ski; protect the view; accessible park (sports); municipal park to marry up with provincial park

Raised Dec 6/11 in relation to Project #6 – consider opportunities and constraints of equestrian use on public open spaces. Please note the thread with open spaces policy (project #11), versatility (project #1), and connections (project #4).

What have I learned?


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Project 2

Great Open Spaces need to display our Heritage. (C-b.h.) Host Charley S & CHP&T.

o Raising the Red Barn. i. What should the new barn be like inside and outside?

Essential Info:

What should the barn look like. Big Questions:

Exterior? Interior?

What should be inside? Round #1: What is at the root of your project?

Portion of trail use equestrian Easy access to barn

Versatility of barn for community space – Boy Scouts, Guides, Schools Scenery – history & culture “Missing Red Barn scenery.”


Farmer’s market o Local produce o Community garden

Multi-use function Open field – use farmland Business opportunities Museum – preserving history

Barn looks like a barn Multi-purpose rooms Community use



Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Multi-use once the shell is up o Tea room o Sun room

Windows at the back Keep original style, original look


Barn was an icon Barn reconstructed Versatility in accommodating future use


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Project 3 Great Open Spaces help to form our Identity. (C-a.b.h.i.) Hosts Seamus M & Frances M.

o Identifying a Cultural Core. i. What are the key characteristics of a Cultural Core? (views, access,

concentrations of facilities, etc.) ii. Where are the great views (landscapes and landmarks –

experiential assessments)? iii. Where is the great access (wayfinding & promotion)? iv. What facilities could be combined/concentrated facilities (eg

heritage farm and red barn)? v. Where would you consider 3 great locations for a Cultural Core?

Essential Info: Big Questions:

How can open spaces contribute to our cultural/heritage? How do we prioritize our resources? How do we really appreciate our culture/heritage?


Farming heritage in CHP. Connect CHP trails with Meeting House and, Bell House – Long Hill view (at Bell House) is part of the cultural core Cemeteries are part of core


Connect Cherry Brook with CH via historic Miller r.o.w. Connect to core via Lawrencetown r.o.w. & Ritcey Cr. View Don’t over regulate Keep ATV & off-leash on Lawrencetown r.o.w.


Records storehouse of CH history at Heritage Farm


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Heritage Farm is Gateway to CH cultural core Black Cultural Centre also a gateway

Heritage farm interprets, it is part of cultural core Core includes views, trails, BCC, HCC land, r.o.w’s, Heritage farm, Bell/Meeting

house What have I learned?


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Project 4a Beautiful Open Spaces need to be connected to great communities. (C-a.e.f.j.) Host Rob J.

o Looking at The Cole Harbour Place to Rainbow Haven Corridor. i. How would you connect the 8 kilometres between Rainbow Haven,

Coastal Heritage Park, and Cole Harbour Place? In a motor vehicle; on a bicycle; two feet and a heartbeat?

ii. Where are the tough parts? iii. Where are the easy parts? iv. How important is the visual experience?

Essential Info:

8 kilometres Partial on-road Crossing Cole Harbour Road

Big Questions:

Priority Paved shoulders Views along the way


Already connections – make them better (the buses, the bike lanes, the trails) Respect the coastal shoreline validated


Paved shoulders

Cow Bay/Dyke Road loop Improve intersection at Cole Harbour Road/Bissett/John Stewart Arklow to CH Road Improve the trail access @ Arklow/John Stewart Widen trail



Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Phasing Add Cow Bay Road

Balance the easy & the tough parts (safety) o Intersection o Paved shoulders

Discover/partner with Rainbow Haven parking seasonal What have I learned?

Rekindled passion


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Project 4b Beautiful Open Spaces need to be connected to great communities. (C-a.e.f.j.) Hosts Dawn N & April S.

o Helping with Old Lawrencetown/Old Miller Rd Corridors. i. How would you build a 2 kilometre trail between Old Lawrencetown

Road in Forrest Hills to the Cole Harbour Estuary? ii. How would you build a 2.5 kilometre trail between the Black

Cultural Centre and Cole Ridge Estates? Essential Info: Big Questions:

How to connect 207, L’town to CH Place Connect Ritcey to Ross Rd to Main Street


Old Lawrencetown Road o Preserve greenways o Adjacent landowner concerns: dumping, illegal activity…. o Uses: atv’s displaced


Trail parking People control Accessing their lands concern Connect to Black Cultural Centre & Main Street


Great to cycle/walk on Old L’town Road Safe and quicker access to Cole Hbr Place, schools and neighbours Connect to Flying Point & SM Trail

Raised Dec 6/11 in relation to Project #6 – consider opportunities and constraints of equestrian use on public open spaces. Please note the thread with open spaces policy (project #11), versatility (project #1), and connections (project #4).


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Raised Dec 6/11 – consider opportunities and constraints of crossing Hwy #107 at Cherry Brook intersection and Lake Major/Ross Road intersection.


Protect natural environment Small footprint Connect communities Protect waterways


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Project 4c Beautiful Open Spaces need to be connected to great communities. (C-a.e.f.j.). Hosts Rob M & David M.

o Consider The highway #207 Image Route Corridor i. How would you build a 2.5 kilometre cycling route from Bissett

Road to Ross Road? ii. How would you build a walking route from Bissett Road to Ritcey

Crescent?

Essential Info: Big Questions:

When can this be done? Is it worth the investment? How can it connect?


Pave shoulders both sides with rumble strip Sidewalk too $ Designated bus stops

Traffic concerns Crossing #207 Extend sidewalk & pave shoulders on Ross Road between #207 and Hwy #7 Bishop properties purchase? Paved shoulder less maintenance

Link #207 to Salt Marsh Trail Round #2: What could be added to make this project/initiative more complete?

Wide lane safer with blind spots Advantage is would help with wash-out Bissett/Cow Bay Rd needs wider shoulder Potential connection between #207 & Salt Marsh Trail via Flying Point

Tourism potential Some prefer off road


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December 9, 2011


Link Ross Rd sidewalks to the #207 Corner @ bottom of Long Hill concerns Need for this!!


See the need and benefits.


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2011


December 9, 2011

Project 5 Great Communities need to be Sustainable. (EC-a.) Hosts Roger W. & Kevin G.

o Pondering Sustainable Development in the Cole Harbour Basin? i. What is Sustainable Development? ii. What are some examples of sustainability? iii. Is sustainable development possible in the Cole Harbour Basin?

Essential Info:

Vacant lands available for development (yellow) Estuary is sensitive to development Regional plan review

Big Questions:

What does sustainability mean to you? Allow development; what kind? What controls?


“Community within a Park” “Community” needs to include trails, greenways, parks Development is necessary to “sustain” the community and its services

Current rules prohibitive Round #2: What could be added to make this project/initiative more complete?

All development needs to address impacts of climate change & sea level rise; ie, setbacks from watercourses, wetlands, coastline – larger buffer areas (control stormwater)

Rehab Ctr Lands great opportunity for artistic solar farm development (destination point for community & region)


Salmon R. floodplain


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Stormwater run-off from existing & future development, include quantity and quality.

Sea level rise – increase setbacks Causeway – look at opening to enable flushing/flow and boat access

Defer development until flooding/stormwater issues addressed. What have I learned?

Folks were engaged and are passionate about the basin. I enjoyed the evening


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Project 6 Beautiful Open Spaces Need Great Stewardship. (EC-b.) Hosts Michael M. & Paul E.)

o Considering the future of the Cole Harbour Causeway and Salt Marsh Trail.

i. Have you been on the causeway & trail? ii. What are the unique characteristics of the causeway & trail? iii. Please conduct a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats

(SWOT) Analysis for the causeway and trail.

Essential Info:

Rail bed

Trans Canada Trail Water quality Wildlife

Big Questions:

Keep it? Restore it? Improve it?


SMT must exist but we improve water & environment Round #2: What could be added to make this project/initiative more complete?

Enhanced awareness = increased support Design to improve water flow/survival of SMT Adaptive management


Tidal flow analysis Last section being “improved” Get some more design expertise


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Raised Dec 6/11 – consider opportunities and constraints of equestrian use on public open spaces. Please note the thread with open spaces policy (project #11), versatility (project #1), and connections (project #4).



Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Project 7 Beautiful Open Spaces need great Planning. (EC-c.) Host Rachael D.

o Preparing Open Spaces: Cole Harbour Basin Plan. i. What are your expectations of the Plan? ii. How do you understand your role in the product? iii. What has worked well so far? iv. How would you do things differently?

Essential Info:

Public gatherings On-street online

Big Questions:

how is this process so far?....what is good? Improvements? How to stay involved?


Engage many diverse people early All landowners listed in database – collaborate with them Advertising – glo signs

Post on web report draft before it goes to Council o Feedback o Opportunity if you support it to engage Councillor

How can people share what’s happening with their networks? Round #2: What could be added to make this project/initiative more complete?

How do we plan for rising sea level & renewable energy?...get around “NIMBY”

Much work & studies done in past 40 years – use it Present to community groups


Concert benefit for rehab Lands/Red Barn – tell people how to get engaged


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Buses advertising Public hiking

o Offer routes o Schedule hike o Ask for feedback – volksmarch, geocaching


Engage landowners Renewable energy plan

Fun & creative ways to keep people involved


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Project 8 Beautiful Open Spaces need to be Promoted. (EC-d.) Hosts Deanna W. & Gary Y.)

o Prepare a Wayfinding Strategy. i. What open spaces need better promotion? ii. How would you promote the Beautiful Open Spaces in the Cole

Harbour Basin?

Essential Info:

Getting around to & through all the great open spaces in the area. More than signage

Big Questions: Round #1: What is at the root of your project?

Promoting the open space connections to everyone especially the students – connecting to education system.

Farms to school – buy local Promoting our green spaces & active transportation


Information signage that adds legitimacy & validity to the great open spaces in the area.

Open for multi-use.

Signage to ensure/confirm it is OK to use these spaces Greenspaces within our communities – walk to


Improved promotion of what we already have

Have wonderful open spaces What have I learned?

Improve promotion legitimacy & validity of access o Access


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

o Walk o Bike

Make connections – especially for students our future Promote multi-use


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Project 9 Beautiful Open Spaces Need Great Access. (EC-e.) Hosts Kemp M. & Hugh M.

o Consider our Access to the Estuary. i. Is it important? ii. Where does the road network (grey) touch the water (blue)?

1. Are these places important? 2. Should we be able to touch the water from these places?

iii. Where does the park network (green) touch the water (blue)? 1. Are these places important? 2. Should we be able to touch the water from these places?

o Consider our access to the Coastal Heritage Park. i. What is working well about the 4 existing access points along

Bissett Road? ii. What would you do differently? iii. Should the park be accessible from Cole Harbour Road and the Cole

Harbour Meeting House?

Essential Info:

There are four existing accesses to the Coastal Heritage Park There are both active and passive uses

Big Questions:

Are these accesses important? Should the park be accessible from Cole Harbour Road?


View access from #207 is important Trail access formalized at Mineville end (signage) Washrooms at trailhead (Red Barn)


Limit formal access from #207 to estuary No formal frontage to Crown land from tanner Parking on roads where no parking lot can be issues.


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011


Capital development of formal access at Mineville end. What have I learned?

Good access exists at Park Additional access necessary (both view and for active use)


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Project 10 Great Open Spaces need to protect our Natural Gems. (EN-a.) Hosts Richard M. & John C.

o Consider the health of the Cole Harbour Estuary. i. What do you think impacts the health of the estuary?

o Consider the potential for the estuary. i. For its visual landscape? ii. For fishing? iii. For recreation? iv. For agriculture? v. For energy?

Essential Info:

DNR – waterfowl survey

Ducks Unlimited Ongoing citizen observations

Big Questions:

What is the health of the estuary?

Who is the info champion? Round #1: What is at the root of your project?

Gaining information on bio-diversity & estuary health to know baseline & ongoing measurement scientific)


Add: observational subjective information & citizen science & non-human data Round #3: What are your next steps and key learnings?

Sharing of information & using for management & policy decisions What have I learned?

Local knowledge runs deep!


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Project 11 Beautiful Open Spaces need everyone’s Protection and Stewardship. (EN-b.c.d.) Hosts Cathy S. & Brian K.

o Evaluate the Zoning, land use by-laws, and incentives. i. How effective are municipal regulations? ii. How effective are provincial regulations? iii. How effective are federal regulations? iv. How can we encourage our neighbours to protect beautiful open

spaces?

Essential Info:

Current parks & open space lands are owned by HRM, Province and Federal governments.

Big Questions:

Are the parks and open space lands adequately protected now? If not what do we need to improve?

What other critical lands, if any, should be acquired for parks and open space? How can we better engage private landowners in achieving protection and

stewardship objectives in the Cole Harbour Basin? Round #1: What is at the root of your project?

Better cooperation between Province & HRM in the protection of existing park land (eg. ATVs)

Keep open space properties as natural as possible (no incompatible development)

Nice stand of trees on private lands just off Bissett Road (west side) along south side of rail corridor.


Baseline information on health of estuary is critical Minimize impacts of urban use on estuary Enforce environmental regulations (eg sewage, industrial discharges)


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Concern that private landowners weren’t involved in the early stages of this exercise

More openings in causeway to improve flushing of estuary Round #3: What are your next steps and key learnings?

Ensure development permits obtained/regulations followed Estuary is a natural filter Raised Dec 6/11 in relation to Project #6 – consider opportunities and

constraints of equestrian use on public open spaces. Please note the thread with open spaces policy (project #11), versatility (project #1), and connections (project #4).


People are passionate about the estuary & open space lands Lots of knowledge (firsthand) about the estuary


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Themes from Visioning Gathering October 22, 2011

Culture

a) Open spaces should be multi-use, multi-purpose, multi-generational b) Protecting the history and cultural heritage (eg. Farming traditions) c) Public art and performance d) Can play-structures be designed by children? e) Places for fun and socializing such as amphitheatre, stages, more playgrounds

and trails f) Safety of open spaces g) Meeting and gathering spaces h) Open spaces should be the centre of public education programs i) What is our community and cultural identity? j) (Moved from Economy) Connectivity and access to open spaces: public transit,

trails, roadways, parking, sidewalks, bike lanes

Translation 1. Beautiful Open Spaces need to be versatile. (C - a.c.d.e.f.g.)

2. Great Open Spaces need to display our Heritage. (C - b.h.)

3. Great Open Spaces help to form our Identity. (C - a.b.h.i.)

4. Beautiful Open Spaces need to be connected to great communities. (C -

a.e.f.j.)


Harvest

2011


December 9, 2011

Economy

a. Financial sustainability: can sustainable development support this community? b. Maintaining and protecting existing and future infrastructure c. Long term planning and follow through d. Communication – social media, education, awareness e. Physical and social access to the spaces

Translation 5. Great Communities need to be Sustainable (EC - a.)

6. Beautiful Open Spaces Need Great Stewardship (EC - b.)

7. Beautiful Open Spaces need great Planning (EC - c.)

8. Beautiful Open Spaces need to be Promoted (EC - d.)

9. Beautiful Open Spaces Need Great Access (EC - e.)

Environment

a. Protection and restoration of ecosystems, natural habitat, history, viewplanes and beauty

b. Keeping undeveloped land in the area sacred and preserved c. Interpretive Nature Walks d. Education and Stewardship

Translation 10. Great Open Spaces need to protect our Natural Gems (EN - a.)

11. Beautiful Open Spaces need Everyone’s Protection and

stewardship (EN - b.c.d.)

chbosp nov 30 session harvest digest

Technology

great open spaces

public open spaces

abeautiful open spaces

open spaces policy project

open spaceround

barn versatility of

cultural core core

coastal heritage park