therefore sightlines down the walkway were only available upon entering the walkway. The point of entry at the park end was situated far from any roadway or active use area, which further heightened the sense of insecurity.

Purchase of Existing Lots

In order to resolve the lack of access, it is proposed that the City initially acquire two homes on Copperfield Place backing onto the park and incorporate the two lots into the parking area.

This would provide direct access to the park from the neighborhood. The lots would be purchased using existing funds designated for parkland acquisition. Under the terms of Section 42 of the Flaming Act, the 5% parkland levy collected by the municipality in conjunction with new residential development must be used for the acquisition of land for park purposes within the municipality.

In the future, the City would seek to establish a similar connection from Foxhill Place, as parkland acquisition fluids become available.

The proposed connection would be designed according to the principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), with significant width and a short length between the street and the park. To allow for easy supervision, it is preferred that the connection be aligned with an approaching street, in such a way that sightlines through the connection are a continuation of the sightlines down the street. The connection would be illuminated at night and be ample enough in width to provide a buffer between the pathway and the adjacent properties, with appropriate landscaping along the side lot lines.

Introduction of Additional Street Frontage

Little River Acres Park is classified as a neighborhood park and is oversized with respect to the Official Plan requirement, which calls for 0.8 hectares of parkland per 1000 residents within a 0.8 km radius. The population in the subdivision is 2,564. Therefore, according to the standard in the City’s Official Plan, 2.05 hectares (5.06 acres) of parkland are necessary.

The present size of the park is 4.25 hectares (10.50 acres). It should be noted that in addition to the park, the adjacent Little River Corridor is within the standard 0.8 km radius of all residents in the subdivision.

The existing form of the park is not helpful from a security standpoint, because only one side has frontage on a public right-of-way (Little River Road). As a result, the rear of the park is 173 meters (570 feet/ 190 yards) from the road. The ability of adjacent residents to monitor activity in the park is hampered by the fact that the abutting homes back onto the park with solid board fences. This results in an impression of isolation at the rear of the park where unlawful use or nuisance behavior can occur unhindered.

A new one-sided street with homes fronting onto the park is proposed along the East perimeter and a portion of the South perimeter. The introduction of homes in this configuration would create “eyes on the park”. The new street would also allow police cruisers to easily patrol the rear of the park and the outlet of the proposed pedestrian access to the South. The length of the cul-de-sac is determined by two factors: fire department standards for single access roads and the space needed for park amenities.