Goldstone Park Picnic Shelter

Goldstone neighbourhood park

A presentation to the Parks, Recreation and Sport Tourism CommitteeCity of Surrey

February 20, 2013

Goldstone Park


Thanks To This CommitteeFor a Great Park with So Many Amenities !

The playground, water park, ball courts and walking paths are all heavily utilized by the neighbourhood year round.


History of Goldstone Circa 1920 the Goldstone family settled in Surrey and cleared many acres in the area now known as Panorama. Today, Goldstone Park is located within those lands.


History of Goldstone

In 2002 the City began to acquire land for a future park site near 146 Street and 58 Avenue.




In 2004 the City found it necessary to acquire additional land in order to accommodate the many amenities proposed for this park site.





Surrey Council approved the park concept plan in 2005.

The park would be constructed in phases.





Surrey Council approved the park concept plan in 2005.

The park would be constructed in phases.

Construction progressed over a 3-year period



The children’s play area was the final amenity to be installed, and it was completed in 2008.


Today

The park is fully developed with two soccer fields, a walking loop, a playground, a washroom, two tennis courts, a basketball court, 80 parking spaces, tree preservation and landscaped buffers.


Today

Due to the extensive amenities provided, Goldstone Park is considered by Surrey Parks to be “Over Programmed” according to standards used by park planning professionals. There is no available space for further amenities.


• Process – A July 2012 Petition has resulted in plans to construct an enclosed picnic Shelter at Goldstone Park

The Agendafor Tonight’s Presentation



• Footprint – The Existing Footprint at Goldstone Park is already over-programmed and residents are concerned





• Petition – A second Petition put forward by residents opposed to construction of a picnic shelter is presented tonight





• Petition – A second Petition put forward by residents opposed to construction of a picnic shelter is presented tonight

• Much time and effort has been put into tonight’s presentation by many volunteers, because we care about our park



The First PetitionOn July 25, 2012 the City received a petition requesting the

construction of a further amenity for Goldstone Park.




• The Petition requested construction of two covered picnic sheds that would each seat 40 to 50 persons




• The petition had 157 signatures

• The Petition requested construction of two covered picnic sheds that would each seat 40 to 50 persons


Analysis by Surrey Parks



Surrey Parks determined that two large shelters were not appropriate for Goldstone, and instead they decided to propose the installation of smaller shelters to the

community.



Surrey Parks determined that two large shelters were not appropriate for Goldstone, and instead they decided to propose the installation of smaller shelters to the

community.

These 2 open shelters were proposed to the neighbourhoodBy Surrey Parks as examples of possible shelters


The SurveySurrey Parks determined that a survey

of the neighbourhood should be undertaken to determine the wishes of

the residents


The Survey Surrey Parks indicated that the survey was sent to 480 households in a 700 Metre radius of Goldstone Park

700Metres



700Metres

The survey proposed small covered picnic tables, and provided sample photos



Many residents within that radius have since advised that they did not receive the survey, and therefore did not have an opportunity to participate

700Metres




Many residents within that radius have since advised that they did not receive the survey, and therefore did not have an opportunity to participateThe Survey did not disclose that Goldstone was considered to be over programmed by park planning standards, and that there actually was no room for additional amenities.

700Metres



Of the 480 households surveyed, 230 responded – 48%Parks staff has indicated that based on historical data, this was a strong

response

The Survey ResultsThe Survey Results


Of the 480 households surveyed, 230 responded – 48%

OPPOSED 49%

IN FAVOUR 51%✔

Parks staff has indicated that based on historical data, this was a strong response

The Survey ResultsThe Survey Results


Of the 480 households surveyed, 230 responded – 48%

OPPOSED 49%

IN FAVOUR 51%✔

Parks staff has indicated that based on historical data, this was a strong response

The Survey Results

AND… of all the homeowners adjacent to the park

OPPOSED 70%

The Survey Results


The Report to CommitteeOn October 10, 2012 Surrey Parks reported to this committee that…

• A petition requesting construction of 2 covered shelters had been received



• A petition requesting construction of 2 covered shelters had been received

• emails and phone calls had also been received registering strong opposition to the covered shelter concept



• Surrey Parks had distributed a survey to neighbouring residents proposing smaller shelters, which determined the neighbourhood was evenly split (51% to 49%)




• 70% of residents living directly adjacent to the park were opposed to covered shelters





• Goldstone Park is over programmed and there is insufficient space for picnic shelters.





• Goldstone Park is over programmed and there is insufficient space for picnic shelters.

• Goldstone Park is experiencing an increase in illegitimate use, including vandalism, attempted arson, and damage to trees; and the installation of shelters promotes increased illegitimate activity


The Committee DecisionDespite the concerns and

recommendationsfrom Surrey Parks…




This committee voted to proceed with construction of an enclosed shelter at Goldstone

Park.




This committee voted to proceed with construction of an enclosed shelter at Goldstone

Park.And the Neighbourhoodis extremely concerned


Implementation by Surrey Parks

From This



To This

From This



To This

To This

From This



All of these decisions were made without

public consultation

To This

To This

From This



All of these decisions were made without

public consultation

To This

To This

From This

Some who signed the original petition are now opposed, as what was proposed is not what is

being built


SOCCER FIELDS

FootprintSoccer Fields 42%


SOCCER FIELDS

BASKET BALL

FootprintSoccer Fields 42%Basketball Court 2%


SOCCER FIELDS

TENNIS COURTS

BASKET BALL


Tennis Courts 3%


SOCCER FIELDS

TENNIS COURTS

BASKET BALL

WATER PARK


Tennis Courts 3%

Water Park 2%


SOCCER FIELDS

TENNIS COURTS

BASKET BALL

WATER PARK

PLAY GROUND


Tennis Courts 3%

Water Park 2%

Playground 1%


SOCCER FIELDS

TENNIS COURTS

BASKET BALL

WATER PARK

PLAY GROUND

WASHROOMS


Tennis Courts 3%

Water Park 2%

Playground 1%

Washrooms <1%


PARKING

SOCCER FIELDS

TENNIS COURTS

BASKET BALL

WATER PARK

PLAY GROUND

WASHROOMS


Tennis Courts 3%

Water Park 2%

Playground 1%

Washrooms <1%

Parking 7%


PARKING

SOCCER FIELDS

TENNIS COURTS

BASKET BALL

WATER PARK

PLAY GROUND

WASHROOMS


Tennis Courts 3%

Water Park 2%

Playground 1%

Washrooms <1%

Parking 7%

Walking Paths 19%


PARKING

SOCCER FIELDS

TENNIS COURTS

BASKET BALL

WATER PARK

PLAY GROUND

WASHROOMS

YMCA


Tennis Courts 3%

Water Park 2%

Playground 1%

Washrooms <1%

Parking 7%

Walking Paths 19%

YMCA Activities 2%


PARKING

SOCCER FIELDS

TENNIS COURTS

BASKET BALL

WATER PARK

PLAY GROUND

WASHROOMS

YMCA


Tennis Courts 3%

Water Park 2%

Playground 1%

Washrooms <1%

Parking 7%

Walking Paths 19%

YMCA Activities 2%

Green Space 4%


PARKING

SOCCER FIELDS

TENNIS COURTS

BASKET BALL

WATER PARK

PLAY GROUND

WASHROOMS

YMCA


Tennis Courts 3%

Water Park 2%

Playground 1%

Washrooms <1%

Parking 7%

Walking Paths 19%

YMCA Activities 2%

Green Space 4%

Playground Green Space 5%


PARKING

SOCCER FIELDS

TENNIS COURTS

BASKET BALL

WATER PARK

PLAY GROUND

WASHROOMS

YMCA


Tennis Courts 3%

Water Park 2%

Playground 1%

Washrooms <1%

Parking 7%

Walking Paths 19%

YMCA Activities 2%

Green Space 4%

Playground Green Space 5%Landscaped Buffer 13%

LANDSCAPED BUFFER

LANDSCAPED BUFFER

TOTAL 100%


PARKING

WATER PARK

PLAY GROUND

WASHROOMS

YMCA

GREEN SPACE

GREEN SPACE

LANDSCAPE BUFFER

Footprint With only 5% of the entire park available for children to play on the grass while supervised in the play area…


PARKING

WATER PARK

PLAY GROUND

WASHROOMS

YMCA

GREEN SPACE

GREEN SPACE

LANDSCAPE BUFFER

Footprint With only 5% of the entire park available for children to play on the grass while supervised in the play area…And with that same 5% of the entire park as the only available space for families to spread a picnic blanket adjacent to the play area…


PARKING

WATER PARK

PLAY GROUND

WASHROOMS

YMCA

GREEN SPACE

GREEN SPACE

LANDSCAPE BUFFER


To now eliminate 1/3 of that space to provide for a covered shelter that will not serve the needs of families…

And with that same 5% of the entire park as the only available space for families to spread a picnic blanket adjacent to the play area…


PARKING

WATER PARK

PLAY GROUND

WASHROOMS

YMCA

GREEN SPACE

GREEN SPACE

LANDSCAPE BUFFER




In a manner that is not in keeping with established City Guidelines for placement of shelters…


PARKING

WATER PARK

PLAY GROUND

WASHROOMS

YMCA

GREEN SPACE

GREEN SPACE

LANDSCAPE BUFFER




In a manner that is not in keeping with established City Guidelines for placement of shelters…

Is extremely troubling to the neighbourhood


CITY OF SURREYPARK SHELTER GUIDELINES

4.1 - Shelters shall be located no closer than 25m from any washroom facilities

Proposed Shelter

Location



4.4 - Where possible, shelters should be located at least 50m from any adjacent programmed or activity space except where combined uses are complimentary (i.e. water parks and playgrounds)

Proposed Shelter

Location



4.6 – Shelters shall not be located within 15m of roadways, driveways or parking lots

Proposed Shelter

Location



4.1 - Shelters shall be located no closer than 25m from any washroom facilities

4.4 - Where possible, shelters should be located at least 50m from any adjacent programmed or activity space except where combined uses are complimentary (i.e. water parks and playgrounds)

4.6 – Shelters shall not be located within 15m of roadways, driveways or parking lots

Proposed Shelter

Location


Existing Picnic Shelter

Goldstone Park

Sullivan Park

An existing picnic shelter at Sullivan Park is under utilized

2.3 km = 1.4 mi


The New Petition ResultsAn on line petition was posted in January and February 2013



providing the FIRST disclosure to the neighbourhood at large,




of Surrey Parks planned picnic shelter.





This public disclosure was not made by Surrey Parks, rather it was made by concerned citizens





This public disclosure was not made by Surrey Parks, rather it was made by concerned citizens

who learned that Surrey Parks had begun construction of a park shelter without public consultation.


The New Petition ResultsThe petition was signed by 251 residents from the immediate neighbourhood



All 251 residents agree with Surrey Parks that Goldstone Park is over programmed and does NOT have significant capacity for picnic shelter installation.



All 251 residents agree with Surrey Parks that Goldstone Park is over programmed and does NOT have significant capacity for picnic shelter installation.

All 251 residents ask this committee to reverse its decision and accept the recommendations of the Parks Operations South staff to not build any more structures at Goldstone Park.


• The original petition did not reflect the wishes of the community at large.

Summary to this Presentation




• Surrey Parks interpreted the need for a shelter without public consultation.




• The survey identified the neighbourhood was divided on the issue.

• Surrey Parks interpreted the need for a shelter without public consultation.


• The survey identified that 70% of neighbouring residents were opposed.


OPPOSED 70%




OPPOSED 70%

• “Goldstone Park is over programmed and does not have significant capacity for picnic shelter installation” Tim Neufeld, Manager – Parks Operations South, City of Surrey.




OPPOSED 70%

• “Goldstone Park is over programmed and does not have significant capacity for picnic shelter installation” Tim Neufeld, Manager – Parks Operations South, City of Surrey.

• The proposed location conflicts with 3 setback requirements. Within the Park Shelter Guidelines.

PARKSHELTER

GUIDELINES


Summary to this Presentation• A park nearby already has a structure

suitable to the desires of the petitioners


• Picnic shelters are known to be gathering places for illegitimate activity, and that this type of activity is already on the rise at Goldstone Park.




• Picnic shelters are known to be gathering places for illegitimate activity, and that this type of activity is already on the rise at Goldstone Park.



• The decision of this committee to proceed with construction of a park shelter was not unanimous.


• The final structure design was selected without community input, indicating a lack of transparency and a lack of public consultation.





• A more recent petition has identified 251 residents who oppose construction of a shelter.




• A more recent petition has identified 251 residents who oppose construction of a shelter.

• If an enclosed shelter must be built, there are far more suitable locations in parks that are either larger or have less programming or both.


Thank You for Goldstone Park

Please leave our park free of picnic shelters!Thank you for your consideration

The Goldstone Neighbours Committee

News & Politics

Goldstone Park Picnic Shelter