Humber Bay Park West, closest area to the Junctions to be chosen.

Summary

The purpose of this report is to respond to the request on how Toronto can become a more “paddle friendly city” and provide information on the location and benefits of waterfront recreational nodes that have been selected by Parks, Forestry and Recreation in partnership with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

The installation of five waterfront nodes is funded through the Parks Plan FY2017 sub-project in the Parkland Development project and is included in the 2017 Preliminary Capital Budget and 2018-2026 Recommended Capital Plan.

Each node will cost approximately $75,000-$100,000 and will be constructed in 2017.

There are no additional resources or operating costs required for the waterfront nodes. Any associated maintenance and/or inspection costs can be accommodated within the current 2017 Preliminary Operating Budget.

The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.

ISSUE BACKGROUND

With Toronto’s growing population, there are

more and more residents wishing to access all that the City’s waterfront has to offer.

However, this increase is putting greater pressure on the existing access points at the water’s edge.

The construction of waterfront recreational nodes will help relieve this pressure. A ‘node’ is a central or connecting point of activity, and as it applies to waterfront recreation, nodes will provide the public with more points of access to the water and opportunities to engage in various recreational water activities such as fishing, kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, and other passive enjoyment.

Paddle Friendly City Parks

, Forestry and Recreation was asked to consider how Toronto could become a “paddle-friendly” city and these nodes will support such an initiative. They will incorporate launches appropriate for paddleboats, stand up paddleboards, and other small vessels and allow the public to explore the waterfront. As additional nodes are installed in 2017, they will collectively provide paddle routes for exploring the city from the water.

Fishing Fishing

is becoming more popular along Toronto’s waterfront as water quality and habitat improve. Fishing is permitted in City of Toronto parkland except where signs are posted indicating fishing is prohibited. Prohibition of fishing is determined in consultation with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), the TRCA, and other stakeholders; and signs prohibiting fishing are only posted where it has been determined that fishing will have adverse effects on the ecology in that area of the shore. The construction of waterfront nodes will provide anglers with more places to fish and mitigate conflicts between anglers and non-anglers.

Aquatic Habitat

The construction of waterfront nodes will also provide much needed aquatic habitats along the water’s edge. This will be accomplished by establishing species-specific structural habitats adjacent to, and off shore from, the waterfront nodes. Such structures could include fish spawning beds, sunken logs, sunken cribs, shoals and rocky reefs. Waterfront nodes provide important focal points for the public and can

 
Full Background Information link
(February 2, 2017) Report and Attachments 1-2 from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation on Encouraging a Paddling and Fishing Friendly City
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-101057.pdf

Financial Impact
There is no financial impact resulting from the adoption of this report.