Sheppard s Bush Conservation Area Management Plan Presentation to LSRCA Board of Directors December 15, 2017 Lauren Grzywniak

Transcription

1 Sheppard s Bush Conservation Area Management Plan Presentation to LSRCA Board of Directors December 15, 2017 Lauren Grzywniak Member of Conservation Ontario

2 Presentation Overview History of Sheppard s Bush Steps Taken to Update the Management Plan Issues, Opportunities, and Priorities Implementation Schedule Budget Projections Recommendation 2

3 Sheppard s Bush Property Information 26.1 ha (64.6 acres) Maple sugar bush, pine plantation, sports fields, ravine and creek Owned by Ontario Heritage Trust Historic Sheppard Family House currently leased to Windfall Ecology Centre Outbuildings including Historic Log Cabin and Sugar Shack 3

4 Sheppard s Bush Property Information Currently over 3kms of trails Community Heritage Garden Mature forest 4

5 Purpose of a Management Plan To measure past success Or to determine why specific objectives were not met To set long and short-term goals To ensure consistency with LSRCA s Strategic Plan, policies, and goals To identify, prioritize, and address management issues or concerns To ensure consistency when managing the property To establish a Business Plan with a five-year financial outlook 5

6 Management Plan Review Process Implementation Review Nov-Dec 2016 Consultation Jan-March 2017 Management Plan Development Summer 2017 Public and Stakeholder Review of Draft Management Plan Nov 2017 Presentation to LSRCA s Board Of Directors for Approval Dec 2017 Implementation Report January 2017 Stakeholder Consultation Feb 2017 Management Plan Update June-July 2017 Public Review Period Nov 2017 Public User Survey Feb-March 2017 Public Open House March 2017 Implementation Schedule Development Aug-Sept 2017 Stakeholder Public Review Review Period Meeting Nov Nov Public Consultation Report April 2017 Business Plan Development Aug-Sept

7 Management Goal Sheppard s Bush Conservation Area will be managed to provide a functional example of Aurora s natural and cultural heritage, including opportunities for environmental awareness programs and outdoor recreation Management Plan 7

8 Issues, Opportunities, and Priorities Issues: Lack of Sustainable Funding Enforcement Challenges Opportunities: Partnering with the Town of Aurora for increased enforcement Paid parking projected to be implemented in 2018 Assist Town of Aurora with implementation of Signage Strategy (underway) Parking (commuter, soccer) Lack of way finding signage Priorities: Trail and wayfinding signage, property maps Parking lot use and conditions Upgrading infrastructure 8

9 Implementation Schedule 2017 Reroute trail network throughout property Monitor and remove invasive species within the property Review and update Management Agreement with the Town of Aurora 2018 Review planned programming that will utilize Sheppard s Bush and the facilities on the property with LSRCA Education, Town of Aurora, and Windfall Ecology Centre, etc. Review and update existing management agreements on the property (Town of Aurora, ORTA, etc.) Install mapping and trail directional signage throughout the property Improve trail signage on property Implement parking fee system on property Assess trails using the HETAP unit to find an existing accessible trail location on property Conduct a full Ecological Land Classification inventory on the property 2019 Develop an Emergency Response Plan for the property Remove the old concrete tennis court and install native rain and pollinator gardens with meeting space Construct an Accessible Trail on the property using existing trail system Implement Management Zones Construct Accessible Washroom 2020 Review Communication and Marketing strategy to meet projected facility rental reservation numbers Complete a streambank restoration project on the property Monitor the property for invasive species and remove Japanese knotweed 2021 Initiate review of the Management Plan and begin the process of updating Review the trail system to ensure it is still relevant and balances the human use of the property with the ecological needs Install viewing platform overlooking the ravine 9

10 Budget Projection Total Projected Expenses: $400,855 Total Projected Revenue: $340,068 Projected Funding Gap: $60,787 Potential Municipal Special Ask projected for 2019 for infrastructure development 10

11 Expenses Total Projected Expenses is $400,855 over 5 year term Annual Expenses: Administration Programming Amenities Maintenance Environmental/ Natural Resources Larger Costs: Accessible Washroom Accessible Trail Viewing Platform Signage Strategy Community meeting space, native plant and rain garden 11

12 Revenues Potential Revenue sources to implement Management Plan: Building/ Facility Rentals Municipalities Parking Fees (projected 2018 implementation) In-kind contributions (including Town of Aurora, Lions Club) Volunteers and Donations Revenues estimated at approximately $340,000 over the 5 year term 12

13 Thank you If you have further questions or comments please contact: Lauren Grzywniak Member of Conservation Ontario

14 Recommendation It is therefore RECOMMENDED THAT Staff Report No BOD regarding the Sheppard s Bush Conservation Area Management Plan be received; and FURTHER THAT the Management Plan and associated Business Plan be approved; and FURTHER THAT staff continue to pursue funding and in-kind support to implement the recommendations of the Management Plan. 14