Item - 2026.MM39.16

Councillor Chris Moise, seconded by Councillor Shelley Carroll, recommends that:

1. City Council amend the 2026 Capital Budget for Parks and Recreation to:

a. create a new capital sub-project known as the Lawren Harris Sqaure Reimagining Project in the Park Development project, with a project cost and cash flow of $680,000.00 gross and $0 debt in 2026, fully funded by Section 37 community benefits obtained from the development at 241 Church Street secured for outdoor public realm and parkland improvements (Source Account: XR3026-3701430), for the purpose of revitalizing the Lawren Harris Square;

b. create a new capital sub-project known as the Corktown Commons All Weather Ping Pong Table project in the Park Development project, with a project cost and cash flow of $10,000.00 gross and $0 debt in 2026, fully funded by Section 37 community benefits obtained from the development at 241 Church Street secured for outdoor public realm and parkland improvements (Source Account: XR3026-3701430), for the purpose of increasing all season activities at Corktown Commons; and

c. create a new capital sub-project known as the Corktown Commons: Additional Seating project in the Park Development project, with a project cost and cash flow of $10,000.00 gross and $0 debt in 2026, fully funded by Section 37 community benefits obtained from the development at 241 Church Street secured for outdoor public realm and parkland improvements (Source Account: XR3026-3701430), for the purpose of installing 10 park benches within Corktown Commons.

Participatory Budgeting is a system of direct democracy where residents imagine how their neighbourhood could be improved, suggest potential ideas and then vote on how funds are spent to improve their community through capital projects.

Between April 1 and November 1, 2025, my office hosted online and in-person engagements with local residents and business improvement areas to crowdsource ideas. These ideas were then vetted for cost and feasibility with City staff and presented to the local community to vote on which projects they would like to see funded.

In the Canary District, Corktown and Distillery District Neighbourhoods, three major projects supported by the local community fit within the allocated budget of $750,000:

a. Reimagining Lawren Harris Square;

b. Corktown Commons: All-Weather Ping Pong Table; and

c. Corktown Commons: Additional Seating.

The release of funds for these projects will allow for locally supported capital projects to move forward in a timely manner.