The Corporation of The Town of Cobourg

Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee

MINUTES

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Electronic Participation
Members Present:
  • Emily Chorley
  • Beth Bellaire, Chair
  • Dora Body
  • Miriam Mutton
  • James McGrath
  • Richard Pope
  • Trish Whitney
Staff Present:
  • Jodi Ware-Simpson
  • Teresa Behan, Deputy Director, Community Services

1.
CALL TO ORDER
  

The meeting was called to order at 1:01 p.m.
The Chair welcomed Councillor Bureau.

2.
TRADITIONAL LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
  

The Chair read the Traditional Land Acknowledgement.

3.
APPROVAL/ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
  

  • THAT the Agenda dated April 5, 2022 be approved as presented. 

    Carried

4.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST BY MEMBERS
  

There were no Declarations of Interest Declared by Committee Members. 

5.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
  

  • THAT the minutes dated March 1, 2022 be adopted as presented.

    Carried

6.
DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS
  

6.1
St. Mary Catholic Secondary School Youth Presentation
  

Two members from the St. Mary Catholic School Student Council made a presentation on "The Student Voice". They suggested improvements within Cobourg & Northumberland on behalf of their student body and the community’s youth.

  • Youth Study Space - a new study space would be beneficial for the youth in our community and increase educational productivity
  • Public Washrooms - Safe and clean washrooms available in more locations (open 24/7 year round) 
  • Teen Spaces - Teen Centre (lounge, study spaces, food & drink), Recreational spaces (roller rink or arcade)

Additional Suggestions:

  • Youth Representative on town council
  • More money allotted to road maintenance (potholes, sidewalks)
  • Look into a composting program for schools

Action: Director Geerts will review the space at the CCC for potential Youth Study Space/Teen Spaces.

7.
COMMUNICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE
  

7.1
CCI Youth Input
  

The Chair reviewed the youth input from Cobourg Collegiate Institute:

  • Add more equipment to the skatepark
    Include more accessible options (less steep ramps, varied levels, options)
    Could use lights at night so people feel safe
    Washrooms could be open more regularly
  • We like the Frink – could use a port-a-potty near there if bathrooms can’t
    be open (security cameras in the bathrooms?)
  • Picnic tables at Donegan park or benches
  • Events like Ribfest (food trucks?) at the beach – fun for teens
  • More tennis courts (more popular recently with Seniors playing pickleball,
    etc.) available for drop in use around town
  • Beach volley ball nets left up permanently
  • Public basketball nets / courts open for youth / for anyone
  • Outdoor rinks for shinny – Caroline street rink in Port Hope (this would be hugely popular!)

8.
REPORTS
  

8.1
Beach Recommendations - Teresa Behan, Manager of Recreation and Waterfront Operations
  

Teresa Behan, Manager of Recreation and Waterfront Operations reviewed the Beach Recommendations spreadsheet. She advised that Bang the Table was well received.
A report will be going to Council. 
Pictoral signs will be added and some existing signage will be removed.
A report is going to Council to award two food trucks that will be located on the concrete pad. 
The port-a-potty will remain at the boat storage.
Conversion of the canteen building will take place in the fall of 2023. It is currently in the early design phase.

Moved by Member Mutton 

THAT the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) recommends and supports, in principle, the Beach Recommendations report.

WHEREAS PRAC has been consulted and provided feedback on the recommendations. The Committee looks forward to further updates on the progress. 

8.2
Victoria Square Project (Presentation to Council April 17, 2021)
  

Member Mutton reviewed the project. 

Deputy Mayor Seguin advised that funding was applied for twice and turned down both times. 
This is an item that could be added for the New Grant Writer.
It was agreed by the Committee to table this item until other major projects in the Town are complete. 

8.3
Work Plan Review - Beth Bellaire
  

Discussed item on work plan: Request Staff to prepare a comparative report that indicates progress in the past six years towards what was envisioned, that is, "a connected network of pedestrian trails and cycling routes that link parks together and integrate other Town destinations."

Action: Staff will compare 2013 to 2022 and work on a report.

8.4
West Headlands - Richard Pope
  

Member Pope reviewed his report.

The Chair Beth Bellaire moved 

WHEREAS the West Headlands is a nature park and 

WHEREAS the Parks and Recreation Committee (PRAC) has consulted with Alderville First Nations regarding names and they do not have any recommendations

THAT PRAC recommends THAT the Waterfront Nature Park be the name used with appropriate park signage.

8.5
Memorial Arena Ad Hoc Committee Update - Dora Body
  

In the process of putting together a public engagement plan. Jennifer Neutel, Communications Coordinator will be attending the next meeting.

The Committee will be contacting various stakeholders and asking them to make a presentation.

Director Geerts and Jason Johns, Manager of Facilities are looking at the feasibility of conducting two tours for the public. 

A report will be going to Council in June.

8.6
Mayor’s Keep the County Clean Challenge
  

The cleanup campaign runs April 18 to 23. Residents can pitch in throughout the week, and/or take part in a community-wide cleanup on the Saturday, April 23. Supplies can be picked up at the CCC starting at 9:00 a.m. You can register online at https://arcg.is/1Xv8Lf.

8.7
Daintry Park Update
  

Working on a report to Council regarding developing the area as a park. It will be a linear passive design with trails and an area set aside for a playground.

9.
NEW BUSINESS
  

9.1
Ecology Garden
  

Earth day event:
Saturday, April 23 at 1:00 p.m.
Keynote Speaker - Michelle Singh - Greening Sacred Spaces
SONG Children's Choir
Cobourg's Poet Laureate will be reading a poem.

10.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
  

10.1
Brookside
  

Moved into Stage 3. No further updates.

11.
COUNCIL MOTIONS
  

12.
ADJOURNMENT
  

The meeting was adjourned at 2:43 p.m.

13.
NEXT MEETING
  

May 3, 2022

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