John McKenzie Parkette Expansion

The City is expanding John McKenzie Parkette by approximately 390 m2 (a bit smaller than a full basketball court) as a result of acquiring the land at 37 Norton Ave. The proposed design for the parkette expansion area includes a pollinator garden, seating areas and an expansion of the existing Parkview Neighbourhood Community Garden to support educational programs for McKee Public School.

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  • Early April 2024: Construction starts with the demolition of the property at 37 Norton Ave.
  • May 2024: Demolition complete
  • July 2024: Hire a consultant
  • Winter 2025: Community engagement and detailed design
  • Spring 2025: Hire a construction team
  • Summer 2025: Construction starts
  • Fall 2025: Construction complete

The timeline is subject to change.

Level of Engagement

This project has been classified as a Consult project based on the International Association for Public Participation Spectrum. This means we obtain public feedback on existing analysis, alternatives, and/or proposals.

The proposed design for the expanded parkette area includes:

  • New pathways connecting the new entrance on Norton Avenue to the existing parkette
  • New planting beds and pollinator gardens
  • New seating and gathering area
  • Expanded community garden area with new planting boxes

Proposed design of John McKenzie Parkette’s expanded area. There is an entrance to the north on 37 Norton avenue, a path connecting to the current John McKenzie Parkette to the west and a path connecting to the Parkview Community Garden to the south. Major park features in the proposed design are listed in the written legend.

  1. Tactile walking surface indicating the entrance on Norton Avenue
  2. Planting beds along the pathways
  3. Two benches on concrete pads, located near the entrance
  4. A material storage area
  5. New sitting and gathering space defined by armourstone seat walls
  6. A post and rail fence matching the existing rail fence at John McKenzie Parkette
  7. Garbage and recycling bins
  8. Removable P-gates to restrict vehicle access into the parkette
  9. New wooden privacy fence enclosing part of the site
  10. A shed and trellis structure
  11. A water supply for irrigation or maintenance needs
  12. A concrete border along certain edges
  13. In ground timber boxes for planting – 1.2 m by 2.4 m
  14. In ground timber boxes for planting – 1.2 m by 3 m
  15. Raised accessible planter
  16. Pollinator garden planting beds

March 2025

Online Survey

From February 12 to March 10, an online survey received 122 submissions collecting feedback on the proposed design for the parkette expansion. The survey was available in English, Korean, Farsi and simplified and traditional Chinese.

Overall, 45 per cent of participants were very satisfied with the proposed design for the expanded area, 32 per cent were somewhat satisfied, nine per cent were neutral, nine per cent were somewhat unsatisfied and five per cent were very unsatisfied.

Feedback Summary

Participants were asked to indicate their level of agreement with descriptive statements about the proposed design:

  • 85 per cent agreed that the trees and plantings enhance the parkette’s natural beauty.
  • 84 per cent agreed that the proposed design complements and enhances the parkette’s character.
  • 81 per cent agreed that the proposed design allows people to relax and enjoy nature.

When asked what they would like to do at the expanded parkette, the most preferred activities were:

  • enjoy trees and nature (77 per cent)
  • enjoy the garden and observe plants (74 per cent)
  • sit, relax and eat food (35 per cent)

Participants were asked to rate their overall satisfaction with the seating options:

  • 31 per cent were very satisfied
  • 43 per cent were somewhat satisfied
  • 11 per cent were neutral
  • 11 per cent were somewhat unsatisfied
  • four per cent very unsatisfied.

If there is an opportunity to change the seating options in the design, the most preferred options were:

  • standard benches (52 per cent)
  • Muskoka chairs (32 per cent)
  • amourstone seat wall (31 per cent)

The most preferred features to support educational programs and learning were:

  • educational signage about what is growing in the parkette and community garden (44 per cent)
  • a community board for announcing relevant events and volunteer opportunities (31 per cent)
  • multilingual plant tags on the existing fruit trees and new pollinator garden (21 per cent)

If budget allows for additional amenities at the expanded parkette, the top choices ranked by participants were:

  • seating (42 per cent)
  • picnic tables (26 per cent)
  • game tables (18 per cent)
  • outdoor fitness equipment (14 per cent)

The top themes from additional community feedback were:

  • use less concrete and gravel (12 per cent)
  • include more trees, plants and open green space (12 per cent)
  • add more planting beds for community members to use (nine per cent)
  • add more seating options (nine per cent)
  • better lighting to ensure safety (nine per cent)

Other suggestions included:

  • having better maintenance and upkeep after expansion
  • more community programming and events
  • adding a drinking water fountain
  • improving cleanliness

February 2025

Community Pop-up Event

On February 18, approximately 42 community members attended a pop-up event at John McKenzie House. Participants provided feedback on the proposed design of the expanded park area, using dot stickers to share their preferences on park features and design elements. The local Councillor and a staff member were also in attendance.

Feedback Summary

Participants were asked to rate their level of satisfaction with the proposed design of the expanded area. Four participants shared their feedback, with one very satisfied and three somewhat satisfied.

Participants were asked to indicate their level of agreement with descriptive statements about the proposed design. Out of 11 total votes:

  • five agreed that the proposed trees and plantings enhance the parkette’s natural beauty.
  • four agreed that the proposed design complements and enhances the parkette’s character.
  • two agreed that the proposed design allows people to relax and enjoy nature.

No participants disagreed with the descriptive statements provided.

If budget allows for additional amenities at the expanded parkette, the two choices selected by participants were:

  • picnic tables (six dots)
  • outdoor fitness equipment (three dots)

The most preferred features to support educational programs and learning were:

  • educational signage about what is growing in the parkette and community garden (eight dots)
  • a community board for announcing relevant events and volunteer opportunities (six dots)
  • multilingual plant tags on the existing fruit trees and new pollinator garden (six dots)
  • The top themes from additional community feedback were: prioritize native plants and trees.
  • ensure better maintenance and upkeep after expansion.
  • install a drinking water fountain.
  • less concrete and more permeable surface for walking paths.

May 2024

Demolition of the property at 37 Norton Ave. is completed.

Context map showing the location of John McKenzie parkette with the expanded park area outlined and highlighted. The expanded area is bounded by Norton Ave to the north, the current John McKenzie parkette to the west, Parkview Neighbourhood Garden to the south and residential buildings to the east.