Title
Nature Conservancy of Canada - Request for Support
Proposed Motions
That Council:
1. Approve the Nature Conservancy of Canada's request of up to $121,500 towards the cost of developing a parking lot at Bunchberry Meadows to be funded through Restricted Surplus - Park Reserve.
2. Approve the Nature Conservancy of Canada's request for operational support at Bunchberry Meadows, starting in 2018, in the amount of $6,000 annually to be funded from Municipal Taxation.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration fully supports the motions as presented.
Purpose
Administration is seeking Council's decision and direction with regards to the Nature Conservancy of Canada's request for support.
Summary
The Nature Conservancy of Canada is in the final planning stages for Bunchberry Meadows, a project that would include a variety of primitive pedestrian trails, a developed parking lot, washrooms and garbage receptacles. The development would be located north of Tucker's Field, a parcel the County currently holds a Recreational Lease on through the Government of Alberta. As part of the Devonian Trail development, there will be additional work done to existing the trails within Tucker's Field, and additional amenities such as picnic tables, benches and garbage cans will be added to enhance user experiences.
Bunchberry Meadows will be a significant addition to the County and the additional pedestrian trails will be a great compliment to the Devonian Trail and Tucker's Field developments. Additionally, the developed parking lot will serve as a primary, year-round, staging area for those wishing to access the Devonian Trail and/or Tucker's Field. Currently, the Devonian Botanical Gardens parking area is closed during winter months, leaving Prospectors' Point as the only year-round staging area. During the public consultation for the Devonian Trail, residents identified potential parking concerns along Banksiana Road, particularly on the western edge of Tucker's Field. The addition of the Bunchberry Meadows parking lot will allow traffic to be directed to that location for staging, addressing the potential parking concerns along Banksianna Road.
The additional request for support involves operational supports as it pertains to maintenance of the parking lot, garbage receptacles and washrooms. The operational costs of this request are listed below:
Parking Lot Maintenance
Summer - 16 visits per summer $450
Winter - 10 visits per winter $300
Total $750
Amenities Upkeep
Washroom Pumpouts - per year $250
Garbage Receptacles - 64 visits & supplies $5,000
Total $5,250
Additionally, every third year there would be a need for graveling of the parking lot, at a cost of $2,400 per occurance. This is not being considered as part of this initial request as it would not be required until 2020.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications:
Healthy Communities
- Well planned parks, open spaces and recreational facilities that meet the needs of the community and are interspersed throughout the County
- Residents have access to programs, services and infrastructure that contribute to their well-being and quality of life
Financial Impact:
Cost: $127,500
Source of Funding: $121,500 Restricted Surplus - Park Reserve & $6,000 Municipal Taxation