Expand Norman Jewison Park using abutting Toronto Parking Authority land

The recent passing of acclaimed film director and producer Norman Jewison on January 20, 2024 has brought to our attention the importance of his contribution to the Toronto. He was born and raised in the Beaches neighbourhood of Toronto, attended Victoria College, worked at the CBC, had an office/studio in the 18 Gloucester Lane building that he purchased in 1978 and produced and filmed many of his films at this location, and established the Canadian Film Centre on Bayview Avenue. See information on 18 Gloucester Lane at: https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/26903803/18-gloucester-lane-toronto-church-yonge-corridor

See the obituary for Norman Jewison in the Toronto Star at:

https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/norman-jewison-director-of-fiddler-on-the-roof-moonstruck-dies-at-age-97/article_dcf909a8-5724-5f73-8d72-4c04d4b0a60c.html

The Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association and Bay Cloverhill Community Association have been working since 2013 to complete and improve the Clock Tower Trail (formerly the Green Loop). Improvements have included: James Canning Gardens Park landscape improvements in 2021 through Section 37 funding and design by Janet Rosenberg & Studio; See

https://jrstudio.ca/project/james-canning-park

James Canning Gardens Park enlarged with the acquisition of 14 Dundonald Street; George Hislop Park to be expanded by a parkland dedication of 14 Isabella Street; Norman Jewison, George Hislop Park and Alexander Street Parkette landscape improvements which are now under construction. The expansion of Norman Jewison Park to include Toronto Parking Authority lot 003 at 13 Isabella Street was secured through City Council approval of Site and Area Specific Policy 183 and the North Downtown Yonge Urban Design Guidelines. In SASP 183 policy 6.2.4 on page 31 requires: 6.2.4 Provide new parkland, as opportunities arise, within the North Downtown Yonge Area, including: b) the expansion of Norman Jewison Park to the west through the transfer of land from the Toronto Parking Authority. In the North Downtown Yonge Urban Design Guidelines: Page 52 Figure 25: New Open Space Network shows the TPA lot as Potential Open Space/Parks Opportunity Page 54 Creating or improving existing pedestrian connections to parks and open spaces which have less visibility to Urban Streets (i.e. George Hislop, Norman Jewison and James Canning Gardens) Page 55 Conversion of soft or underutilized sites to parks and open spaces at strategic locations. • Creating well designed open spaces adjacent to an existing park; Page 62 Figure 30: Shadow Sensitive Areas on Page 62 shows the enlarged Norman Jewison Park and removal of the TPA parking lot. Page 72 4.0 Parkland • Expansion of Norman Jewison Park to include the Toronto Parking Authority spaces abutting the park. The Downtown Secondary Plan also has many policies which require the expansion of downtown parks. 3.1. Growth will be accompanied by the community service facilities, parkland, green infrastructure and physical infrastructure required to support complete communities and the health of residents, workers and visitors. 3.16. Strong partnerships and communication between the City, agencies, the development industry and community-based organizations will provide the basis for implementation of this Plan with a collective understanding of and responsibility for building a liveable Downtown made up of complete communities. 3.18. The provision of infrastructure – community service facilities, parkland, green infrastructure and physical infrastructure – will be commensurate with the intensity of development and the number of residents and workers generated. 7.45. The City will prioritize parkland acquisition in areas where there is growth pressure on the parks system. City-Owned Land 14.10. City-owned lands Downtown may be retained to address the Plan’s priorities and other public priorities, including: parkland, pedestrian and cycling facilities, affordable housing, community service facilities, and locations for first responder stations. 14.11. New parkland and lands to expand existing parks will be secured using a variety of tools, including but not limited to: 14.11.1.land purchases; 14.11.2. parkland dedication under the Planning Act; 14.11.3.land exchanges; 14.11.4. partnerships and/or leases; and 14.11.5. conservancies, sponsorships and philanthropic donations. Norman Jewison Park is in the Bay-Cloverhill Park Loop District 8 of the TOcore: Downtown Parks and Public Realm Plan. In 2017 two floors were added to Toronto Parking Authority parking garage Carpark 1 at 20 Charles Street East. The parking was to replace TPA parking at 20 Cumberland Street and 13 Isabella Street. With all residential condominium buildings being occupied in the area more people are walking and cycling as opposed to driving vehicles and relying on Toronto Parking Authority parking lots. Tricon Residential the developer of The Ivy at 8 Gloucester Street has bricked part of the parking lot with a pattern to continue eight of the parking spaces abutting the south end of Norman Jewison Park (see the attached photo). This bricking with delineation of parking spaces is not in accordance with SASP 183 and the North Downtown Yonge Urban Design Guidelines. The TPA land at Carpark 003 at 13 Isabella Street and occupied by 32 parking spaces is required to be transferred by the Toronto Parking Authority to Parks, Forestry and Recreation for the expansion of Norman Jewison Park. The expansion of the park would be a fitting tribute to Norman Jewison who was an environmental and social justice advocate.