Town of View Royal Council Report

Welland Legacy Park – Lifecycles Project Society Agreement

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Council approves the Town’s Agreement with Lifecycles Project Society as described in Attachment “A” detailed in this report from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020 to develop and maintain Welland Legacy Park for public use and education.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To extend an agreement between the Town of View Royal and Lifecycles Project Society to provide maintenance and education in Welland Legacy Park for a five year period, as attached hereto as Attachment “A”.

BACKGROUND:

Since August of 2013 Lifecycles has been working closely with the Town of View Royal and hundreds of volunteers to build a hands-on public education site where community members are trained in sustainable food production, fruit tree maintenance and native pollinators, to then care for and restore this heritage orchard through hands on work parties.

PROJECT INFORMATION:

To date Lifecycles has completed the installation of significant infrastructure in Welland Legacy Park, including pathways through the park and connecting to the Galloping Goose; demolition and rebuild of tool shed and small meeting area, composting toilet, installation of a fruit tree nursery, irrigation system and pollinator garden. They have established a maintenance and care regime to ensure health and productivity of trees.

Through their network of volunteers via social media and various programs, Lifecycles have successfully engaged volunteers and the community. During the past year 170 volunteers gave over 500 hours to harvest over 1,000 pounds of fruit.

In both 2014 and 2015, the Town entered into one year agreements. Entering into an extended agreement would provide certainty to Council for costs over the next five years and would provide Lifecycles with an assurance that the Town is committed to their program.

Town funding provides Lifecycles approximately ½ of the funds required for their basic operation. They will also continue to seek grants provided through various sources. In 2016 Lifecycles applied for and received a $25,000 grant to enhance the existing program by developing a robust yearly work plan for the care of the orchard, adding a group of 10 volunteers to be long-term orchard stewards, designing long-term volunteer engagement strategy, deliver 8 seasonally appropriate workshops on orchard care, engage 175 community volunteers in caring for the orchard, engage 8 youth groups (schools, summer camps, etc.) to engage 100 young people in experiential learning opportunities. These plans complement the Town contribution by increasing volunteer numbers, reach and quality and help to provide a sustainable program:

As another potential source for revenue, through this Agreement Lifecycles has requested the opportunity to generate revenues by holding educational and outreach events, to be provided to the public, View Royal residents could participate at a discounted rate.

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:

In 2016 the Town committed funding in the amount of $13,300 to the Lifecycles program. A five year agreement would commit $13,300 each year, plus a 2% increase for each remaining year of the five year term.

SUSTAINABILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

The program Lifecycles has put together for Welland Legacy Park is aligned with Official Community Plan Vision Statement and supports objectives in Land Use, Transportation & Natural Environment sections of OCP.

The partnership between the Town and Lifecycles also supports the Strategic Plan Vision to enhance livability in View Royal, increasing community connectivity and engagement.

Welland Legacy Park is part of a larger community orchard movement in Canada and North America with a potential for View Royal to play a leadership role in developing sustainable management models.