Eglinton Park. North Toronto. Presented to Midtown Planning Group by North Toronto Soccer Club February 4, 2014

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1 Eglinton Park North Toronto Fe Presented to Midtown Planning Group by North Toronto Soccer Club February 4, 2014

2 Eglinton Park 1. Role of Eglinton Park as the centre of sports activities for North Toronto. 2. Shortage of sports fields. 3. Current use of the Eglinton Park sports field. 4. Recommendations.

3 Eglinton Park Purchased by City of Toronto in Named the North Toronto Athletic Field. Field house opened in 1930; 5 sports rooms: women s softball men s baseball football lacrosse women s skating

4 The popularity of individual sports fluctuates. Ice sports moved to the arena in 1965 (and the outdoor rink). More appropriate facilities have been built elsewhere for some field sports. Parks policy determines the mix and location of youth and adult sports permits across the city. Field sports have been played at Eglinton Park for 88 years

5 Eglinton Park / North Toronto Eglinton Park has always been the central location of sports activities for all of North Toronto, not just Yonge & Eglinton. It is the home of: North Toronto Memorial Arena North Toronto Memorial Community Centre North Toronto Hockey Association North Toronto Skating Club North Toronto Baseball Association North Toronto Soccer Club

6 Children Boom In North Toronto, the population of children and youth has been growing at double the rate of the general population over the past years. There are many more children, not only in new high-density developments, but also in single-family residential areas where houses are being renovated and replaced. Building permit issuance is increasing

7 Census Data North Toronto City of Toronto # of households + 10% + 16% Total population + 13% + 10% Ages % + 2% 15-year increase + 4, ,485 total ages 5-19 = 23,870 = 410,395 Source: Statistics Canada Census Tracts

8 Sports Fields in North Toronto Eglinton Park has the only large-scale City-owned sports field in North Toronto. There are not nearly enough public sports fields in North Toronto to accommodate local needs. There are more privately-owned sports fields in North Toronto than publicly-owned fields Community sports groups have no access to private school grass fields; limited access to artificial fields.

9 Many TDSB and TCDSB fields are unsuitable for any sports use, by schools or community groups. 8 local TDSB fields closed for maintenance in 2013 Portables restrict field use at some schools Community sport group access to some school fields is limited. Community Use Agreements School policies Ministry of Education is requiring TDSB to sell off or downsize some Board-owned fields.

10 Youth sports organizations based at Eglinton Park have already spread their schedules across North Toronto and far beyond. North Toronto Baseball plays a large part of its schedule at Sentinel Park (Finch W. & Keele). North Toronto Soccer has house league games at Downsview Park, Don Mills CI and York Mills CI. NT rep soccer games are played in Downsview area parks and schools, Cherry Beach and Eglinton Flats. The further afield that sports groups play, participation decreases and the less they serve the local community

11 Eglinton Park Sports Field 2013 Fields Users: Youth sports permits Schools Casual users and pick-up sports

12 Eglinton Park Sports Field all year early morning

13 Eglinton Park Sports Field school year school hours

14 Eglinton Park Sports Field all year after school/ after work

15 Eglinton Park Sports Field May, June Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday evenings (lighter schedule in summer months)

16 Eglinton Park Sports Field May, June Thursday, Friday evenings (lighter schedule in summer months)

17 Eglinton Park Sports Field May, June, Saturday, Sunday mornings (lighter schedule in summer months)

18 Eglinton Park Sports Field May, June Saturday, Sunday afternoons (lighter schedule in summer months)

19 Community Sports Organizations The 2 major North Toronto outdoor youth sports organizations were established and continue to be based at Eglinton Park North Toronto Baseball in 1986 North Toronto Soccer in 1983 Both store equipment at the field house. In 2013, NT Soccer contributed $150,000 towards the cost of renovating the field house where it has established an indoor/outdoor training centre.

20 5,200 children and youth players 3,465 participated in regular programs at Eglinton in %+ live in North Toronto Primarily development programs, ages 5 to 10 Small group activities on sub-divided fields, to allow young players more touches on the ball. No other existing facility can be set up and lined to handle this number of players. Tournament headquarters, 4 days/year

21 Current Use of Eglinton Park Sports Field Portion of park used for field sports including community-based teams on evenings and weekends Fieldhouse WC Playground Picnic Parking Portion of park used by general community 100% of the time Arena Outdoor Rink Community Centre 2 Pools

22 A Better Eglinton Park Experience Eglinton Park can provide a better experience for current users while accommodating a wider variety of park users and programs There are opportunities to create several new gathering places including: North of the field house South of the field house (currently pavement) West of the arena and outdoor rink (an outdoor extension of the Community Centre) Currently there is outdoor seating along Eglinton and the picnic tables adjacent to the playground.

23 A better park experience Consider improving the formal pathways into the park and on the perimeter of the playing field. Including the base of the hill on the west side Consider restoring the pathway along the side of the hill on the west side, running south from Roselawn. In addition to new seating in gathering places, consider adding park benches along the formal pathways and along Roselawn. Consider adding lighting along all formal pathways to make the park more welcoming and safer.

24 Eglinton Park Improving the park experience Potential Gathering Space Fieldhouse/WC Create gathering places in the central park area, and west of the arena and outdoor rink (however it will be used). Potential Gathering Space Potential Gathering Space Playground Parking Arena Improve the formal pathways and recognize informal pathways on the grass. Potential Gathering Space 2 Pools Outdoor Rink Community Centre Bus Stop Bus Stop Bus Stop Bus Stop

25 Recommendations 1. Throughout the planning area, consider the needs of the growing children and youth population Reference current City of Toronto policies related to children s activities, parks use, sports fields. 2. For current and expected new residents, consider: Demographics Activities and facilities that they would access Locations of residences vs. facilities 3. Study the current use of the sports field and the full spectrum of activities throughout Eglinton Park. Activities for all ages, indoor and outdoor, are run at and out of the community centre.

26 Recommendations (cont ) 4. Consider better utilizing and improving access to park areas that currently experience little use. 5. Focus on: Creating gathering places in central areas Improving formal walkways entering the park, and on the perimeter of the sports field; improve pathway lighting. Throughout the park, adding seating. 6. Plan to maintain the overall size and flexibility of the sports field to accommodate current and future field sports use and programming.