March 5, 2007 Fady Hanna David Tunnah For: ENVS 6123 Professor Carmela Canzonieri

1. Enhancing Ecological Design in Urban Development Areas –An Analysis of the G Ross Lord Reservoir and surrounding area March 5, 2007 Fady Hanna David Tunnah For: ENVS 6123 Professor Carmela Canzonieri

2. Agenda • Site History • Process • Detailed Assessment of Site Elements • Site Description • Detailed Analysis • Summary

3. Site Photo – 2007 Region West Don River York University Utility Corridor Downsview Airport

4. N Site Photo – 1954 • Area consists primarily of farmland and natural space • Sparse development • West Don River exists in natural form Dufferin St Beginnings of development Bathurst St West Don River Finch Ave W

5. N Site Photo – 1988 • West Don River straightened and shape altered • G Ross Lord Dam constructed in 1973 • Large-scale residential developments • Office development created Office Development West Don River Bathurst St Dufferin St Residential Development G Ross Lord Dam Finch Ave W

6. Site Photo - 2007 Steeles Ave W Bathurst St Dufferin St Finch Ave W

7. Topographical Map • Expected topography of Toronto • N to S grade decline • Southern Residential area built on incline Source: Ontario Base Maps 101762004845

8. Process • Identification of the elements • Identification of the processes • How does the landscape work? What are the functional and structural relationships among its elements? • Evaluation of the processes • Proposed change • Impact and effects • Final Decision Source: Carl Steinitz Framework for Landscape Research http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/depts/larchdep/research/monroe/03.htm

9. N Site Elements – Region Level • West Don River Valley • West Don River Watershed 3. Power Corridor 4. Dufferin Creek

10. Site Elements – District Level (1)Office area w/ parking lot (5) Residential Area and School

11. N 1) The office Complex and the Parking lot in the North West of the study area: First; description of the site: • “suburban type” development. • Parking lot • Bounded by a thin chain of trees • From the west and the south the site is bounded by the natural dense vegetation (urban forestry) of the West Don River watershed Second; process and evaluation of the process: • The large asphalt parking lot absorbs big amount of solar radiations • Strong feeling of heat and urban heat islands. • The lack of enough trees canopy also increases the temperature of the area. • The site represents strong example of unsustainable form of urban developments due to the office buildings’ segregation.

12. N • 4) Change models: • Add retention pond • Increase tree canopy • Add vegetated Swales on the right side • Plant native trees on parking aisles • Permeable pavement • The diagram elucidate the idea of having contiguity between the green elements in a parking lot. • This may increase the ecological features of the site • Source: Sustainable Urban Landscapes. Site Design Manual for BC Communities p.

13. Fifth; Impact Evaluation & Final Decision • The retention pond will create strong natural mitigation for storm water runoffs • The increase of tree canopy will: • enhance consumers’ satisfaction • Provide niche for birds, thus increase wildlife habitat • The vegetated Swales will enhance drainage purification • Plant native trees on parking aisles will increase contiguity • Permeable pavement will absorb good amount of storm water which lighten the pressure on the sewage and drainage system of the area

14. 2) High rise Residential Blocks: First; description of the site: • 12 high density buildings • 7 large surface parking lots • Sparse tree canopy • 2 tennis courts • Surface swimming pool • Swimming pool in the other side, east of Carpenter Road. Second; process & Third Evaluation: • Lots of residents on the site • Existing of mixed use amenities • Focus on more ecological integration, to achieve sustainability • High temperature due to the lack of tree canopy • Need more trees for wildlife and ecological features

15. Fourth; Change models: • Increase tree canopy cover • Use permeable pavement to reduce stormwater runoff • Increase contiguity between green elements Source: Sustainable Urban Landscapes. Site Design Manual for BC Communities p. 65

16. Fifth; Impact Evaluation & decision • Increase tree canopy cover will increase shade, thus residents’ satisfaction • Use permeable pavement will reduce stormwater runoff • Increase contiguity between green elements will: • represent strong opportunity to enhance the ecological features of the site • Enhance the wildlife habitat existence. • In general, Focus on more ecological integration, to achieve sustainability

17. N 3) G Ross Lord Dam and Reservoir: First; description of the site: • The Dam was completed in 1973. • Study area is within Don River watershed • Three tributaries, partially buried, feed into the reservoir system • Depth of channel ranges from 0.25 m to over 1.5 m towards the reservoir.

18. N Second; Processes occurring and Third; Evaluation of the process: • Aquatic habitat limited by sparse riparian vegetation and high sediment loads affecting water quality. • Major barrier to fish movement. • Rock bass and sunfish have been found near the dam face (MTRCA 1994). • No rare or threatened species have been documented by the MNR or the TRCA within the watercourses/waterbodies within the study area[1]. [1]Natural Sciences Report prepared for: URS Canada Inc. and the Toronto Transit Commission. Prepared by: LGL in 2005.

19. Source: Ecological Riverfront Design. APA. Report Number 518-519. p128. N Treatment Marshes Source: Sustainable Urban Landscapes. Site Design Manual for BC Communities p56 4) Change models: • Reforest w/ native trees the edges of: • Eastern side of Dufferin St • North side of Finch Ave W • Storm water management includes enhanced grassed swales, infiltration/exfiltration trenches, filter strips. • This reed-lined biofiltration system leads to a network of linked Treatment Marshes adjoining the public seawall. • Naturalize the edges of the reservoir with native vegetation of mixed structure

20. Fifth: Impact, Effects & Final Decision On the Macro (Regional) level: • Reforest the small part south and north of Finch Ave W. to ensure the “contiguous relation” between “Hearthstone Valley Greenbelt” existing south of Finch and the “G Ross Lord” park. • Conserve the imperative contiguity between the main branches of Dufferin Creek existing in the south west of the area (west of Dufferin Street) with the three tributaries of G. Ross Lord Reservoir. On the District level: • Reforest the eastern edge of Dufferin Street Woodlot with native trees and vegetation will help create new edge to protect the inner core of the West Don River watershed. • The storm water management including grassed swales, infiltration/exfiltration trenches and filter strips will limit the erosion occurring on the downstream of the tributaries. • The reed-lined biofiltration system will lead to a network of linked treatment marshes which help purify the water • The Reforestation of Eastern side of Dufferin St Woodlot as well as North side of Finch Ave W. w/ native trees will increase the rich ecological features of the site and increase the wild life habitat.

21. N • First; description of the site: • •The tree tributaries exist in the west side of the study area along Dufferin St. and are connected to the Reservoir. • • Partially piped (concrete pipes) • o Tributary # 1: Twin closed concrete box culvert; each 3.0 m wide, 6.0 m total width. • Channel 3.6 m wide between walls • o Tributary # 2: • 1 round concrete culvert (#NR1163); 70 cm in diameter, 80 m length. • Plunge pool at outlet; 1.3 m drop into pool 4 m in diameter; • Pool is 50 cm deep • Good riparian willow shrub cover along banks • o Tributary # 3: • 1 round concrete culvert (#NR1164); 1.0 m D. • 1 CSP culvert (#NR1165); 1.0 m in diameter, culvert runs underground under parking lot for approximately 300 m 4) G Ross Lord Tributaries (Culverts): Source: Natural Sciences Report prepared for: URS Canada Inc. and the Toronto Transit Commission. Prepared by: LGL in 2005.

22. N Second; Processes occurring & Third: Evaluation of the process: • Warm fish communities live in 2 of these tributaries. Downstream: • In tributary 1: storm water inflow on north west side • bank; 30% riffle, 30% pools, 40% flats heavy silt load, cloudy grey turbid water. • Debris blocking culvert • In tributary 2:large drop (>1.5 m) from culvert to a large pool (approximately 20 m in diameter) • Some erosion along north bank • Considerable iron staining and debris • Vegetation includes riverbank grape, sedges, willow • Tributary 3: #NR1164 culvert drops 0.3 m into channel • #NR1165 culvert flows directly into channel, 4.4 m wide. • Depth of channel ranges from 0.25 m to over 1.5 m towards the reservoir • Flashy storm flow from under plaza parking lot • Road visible detergent, oil and refuse in water • Some willows are washed out by recent storm flow received from both culverts

23. N Fourth; Change Models: • Increase vegetation and marshlands in the streams. • Study the opportunity to daylight the culverts just after passing Dufferin street • Try to clean-up the upstream from fine gravel, sand and silt debris blocking the culverts. • Increase and preserve riparian willow shrub cover along banks • Put vegetated swales on parking lot west of Dufferin St Fifth: Impact and Effects and Sixth: Final Decision • Increasing the native vegetation will enhance the drainage connectivity of the three tributaries to the Reservoir and decrease debris in the streams • The swales on the parking lot west of Dufferin will increase Tributary # 2 & 3 drainage capability for storm water flow. • Preserve fish habitat downstream; this watercourse does not directly support fish habitat but contributes to the its maintenance.

24. N 5) West Don River valley and Greenway : First; Description • The study area comprises the Don River valley which goes north/south the study area. • The West Don River valley and watershed is rich of wild life habitats and other ecological feature Second: Processes & Third; Evaluation of the process: Urban Vegetation provides: • Habitat for birds and small mammals • Shade, soil stabilization, and carbon sequestration. • Provides natural strong connectivity and recreational amenities for abutting neighbourhoods. • Alternative modes of transportation as walking and cycling. • N/S path can be connected

25. N • Preserve the rich greenway and its associated wildlife habitat. • Integrate the parks with the greenway by planting native vegetation to some areas in the parks. • Plant native vegetation at the eastern side of the greenway, up to the large green patch crossing Steeles Ave W. • Add crossing detail at Steels Ave W. • ORa green natural bridge Fourth; Change Models: Source: http://www.rochesterhills.org/city_services/images/AvonCrosswalk1.jpg Source: www.greencorridor.ca, Green Corridor Vision, Windsor, Ontario

26. …West Don River valley and Greenway : • Fifth: Impact, Effects & Final Decision • Adding native vegetation will provide increased habitat potential for birds and other small animals • Connecting the N/S trail across Steels Ave will increase pedestrian traffic across the street and enhance access to the trail system • Adding a crosswalk to Steels Ave will slow traffic along the busy traffic corridor • A pedestrian bridge would be more suitable than a crosswalk, but budgetary constraints will likely not permit this. • Final decision: Add vegetation, and addcrosswalk to slow traffic

27. N 6) Power Corridor & 7) Residential Area • First: description of the site: (power corridor) • Size of land: 15 hectares • Short grass, simple plant structure • Recreational use: soccer fields, parking lots • Lands originally owned by Hydro One, transferred to the Government of Ontario on Dec 31, 2002 [1] • Hydro One maintains primary use of land for power transmission • Land use governed by Provincial Secondary Land Use Program, but Hydro One is still responsible for land maintenance • Bounded on south side by residential area, and cemetery on north side, traverses G Ross Lord Reservoir • First: description of the site: (residential Area) • Impervious surface due to many roadways • Limited access going east-west across development • Large parking lot at school and community center • High-rise in center of development • Residential area is built on a steep decline towards the reservoir [1] Ontario Realty Corporation (2005) Q&A – Hydro One. Retrieved March 13, 2007 from http://www.orc.on.ca/Page144.aspx

28. N …Power Corridor Soccer fields Electrical fields Heat island Second; Processes occurring on the site and Third: Evaluation of the process: • Large parking lot will absorb solar radiation open area • Storm water will run through residential area down to river • Poor pedestrian or trail access to the cemetery and park lands to the north of the development • Plant structure is too simple and is a poor habitat for wildlife • Strip is too thin to be a viable wildlife corridor, but adding plant structure could increase bio-diversity • The effect of electrical fields are unknown, could be damaging for recreational uses • Soccer fields already located nearby Storm water runoff

29. N …Power Corridor • Fourth: Change Models: • Add trails to enhance recreational access to site, and to divert pedestrian and bicycle traffic from heavy traffic Finch Ave W. • Convert soccer fields to marsh-land with low vegetation to enhance biodiversity of site – requires excavation • Preserve the unmowed grasses, shrubs and small marshes along the hydro corridor. • Add vegetated swales along south west side to capture residential run-off Vegetated swales Revegetation Paths

30. N …Power Corridor Fourth: Change Models – cont. • Add trees to preserve contiguity of N/S greenway • Also add vegetation to N/S power corridor • Add recreational (walking and cycling) trails through utility corridor to utilize as a traffic corridor for residents

31. …Power Corridor Fifth: Impact, Effects & Final Decision • Enhance the ecological features of site by adding widespread meadow, scrub and marsh, thus increasing wildlife species • Improve micro-climate due to increased use of water in site • Improve storm water management, however, marsh land may flood nearby residential to south due to gradation • Decrease the need for maintenance due to natural vegetation • Improve recreational uses due to ease of access • Raise property value of abutting neighbourhood • Improve contiguity of greenways both east-west and north-south • Proceed with change, except marsh-land due to hydrological considerations

32. N 8) Environmental Center and recreation area First; description of the site: • Cleared area with limited forest canopy • Large parking lot • Covered tributary • Soccer fields for recreational use Second; Processes occurring on the site and Third; Evaluation of the process: • Parking lot absorbs heat radiation • The location of the environmental agency is blocking the north-south greenway, creating a barrier to wildlife moving through the area • The clear-cut area could cause increased runoff • There is potential to increase vegetation and forest cover along Dufferin • Run off from Dufferin could enter tributary • Soccer fields are cut off from nearby residents Parking Lot Clearcut Storm water runoff

33. N Fourth: Change Models: • Add tree cover where space is available to improve habitat • Use of vegetated swales to capture storm water runoff • Daylight tributary • Add wood pedestrian bridge to improve access to recreational soccer fields Sustainable Urban Landscapes, p105 Vegetated swales Reforestation Daylighting Sustainable Urban Landscapes, p108

34. N Fifth: Impact, Effects & Final Decision • Adding vegetated swales will reduce run-off from Dufferin • Adding trees will improve habitat for birds in the area, and further link the North-South greenway • Daylighting the tributary will increase habitat and bio-diversity of the area • Adding bridges will increase access to the soccer fields, but also could increase habitat damage to the area • Adding bridges could increase use of the recreational area, thus increasing human interaction with the area and potentially increasing damage • Care should be taken to add additional garbage receptacles and ensure proper washroom facilities Decision: Go ahead with proposed changes. Vegetated swales Reforestation Daylighting

35. Summary • Site presented • Main features discussed • West Don River Valley • West Don River Watershed • Power Corridor • Dufferin Creek • Elements discussed • Office area with parking lot • High rise buildings • G Ross Lord Dam and Reservoir • G Ross Lord Tributaries and Watershed • West Don River • Power corridor • Residential Area • Environmental Center • Changes presented and recommendations given