Item - 2022.IE31.6

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to negotiate and sign on behalf of the City of Toronto, a Fundraising Agreement with the Friends of Allan Gardens described in the report (June 15, 2022) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to raise funds for capital projects in Allan Gardens Park and Conservatory, in keeping with the "Refresh" vision for Allan Gardens, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and in form and content satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

2. City Council authorize the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to accept third-party funds raised by Friends of Allan Gardens, as described in the Fundraising Agreement within the report (June 15, 2022) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and to allocate the funds as they become available to Allan Gardens capital projects in Parks, Forestry and Recreation's 10-Year Capital Budget and Plan for the purpose of capital improvements to Allan Gardens, subject to the budget process.

3. City Council authorize the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to negotiate and sign on behalf of the City of Toronto a Management Agreement with Friends of Allan Gardens described in the report (June 15, 2022) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, for a term of five years with an additional term of five years at the General Manager's discretion, for the purposes of managing a portion of Allan Gardens Conservatory, namely the Children's Conservatory and adjacent Children's Conservatory Teaching Garden, on the City of Toronto's  behalf, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and in form and content satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

The purpose of this report is to seek authority from City Council to enter into agreements that will advance aspects of "Refresh: Unlocking the Opportunity to Revitalize Allan Gardens" a vision for Allan Gardens Park and Conservatory (herein referred to as "Refresh"); enter into a Fundraising Agreement with the Friends of Allan Gardens to accept donations for capital improvements to Allan Gardens Park and Conservatory; and enter into a Management Agreement with Friends of Allan Gardens for the Children's Conservatory and adjacent Children's Conservatory Teaching Garden.

This report also outlines a process to review and evaluate the governance and operating model for Allan Gardens Park and the Palm House Conservatory.