Item - 2018.EY31.38

Etobicoke York Community Council requested the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with officials from Transportation Services, and Hydro One, to report to the Etobicoke York Community Council for its meeting on July 4, 2018, with final recommendations related to a First Nations Park to be located within the hydro right-of-way in the Emery Village.

This report provides an update as requested by the Etobicoke York Community Council at its meeting of April 4 2018, on the status and outcomes of continuing negotiations with Hydro One for the licensing of a portion of hydro right-of-way (ROW) for park use within the Emery Village Neighbourhood.

The Emery Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) has produced detailed design drawings of a proposed park on the hydro ROW that would pay tribute to the First Nations history in the area. These park plans have changed slightly based on initial feedback from Hydro One. Emery Village BIA has scheduled three meetings with the First Nation communities for review.

Transportation Services and City Planning have produced new road alignment concepts within the ROW for the future planned Weston Road to Arrow Road connection, which are part of the Emery Village Transportation Master Plan. These road alignments do not affect the proposed park design and have met with positive feedback from Hydro One.

Now that the future road that Transportation Services and City Planning are protecting align with the potential park plans Parks, Forestry and Recreation (PFR) is supporting, Hydro One is prepared to review the City's submission. Once the proposed park is approved by the three First Nation communities, the Emery Village BIA will submit a formal application to PFR for submission to Hydro One.