Special parks accounts piling up in city’s wards
Hiring two new park planners should make it quicker and easier for Ottawa city councillors to spend the money that’s been piling up in their special cash-for-parks accounts.
As of Dec. 31, councillors collectively had $11.2 million at their discretion to buy new parkland, install or replace play structures, splash pads and benches, or pursue other recreation projects in the city’s 23 wards. That’s up from $8.1 million at the end of 2015.
While some of those dollars have been set aside for projects yet to be completed, millions remain uncommitted.
A city-wide cash-in-lieu of parkland account — for facilities deemed to have either a district or city-wide appeal, such as Lansdowne Park or the Mooney’s Bay playground — has an additional $2 million.
Cash-in-lieu money comes from property developers: When they build something new, they have to hand over either land for parks for the new residents to whom they ’re selling homes, or cash for the city to use on parks instead.
The city used to keep one big fund for these projects, rather than reserving money for the individual wards where the money was raised. But now, 60 per cent of fees go to the ward in which the development will occur and 40 per cent is directed to a city-wide account.
There are tight rules around how the money can be spent. It is OK to buy land and park equipment, or to cover the cost of preparing a new park site or to build and expand community centres, indoor pools and arenas. Non-capital costs (including studies and ongoing maintenance) and any work associated with facilities or property the city doesn’t own are not eligible.
According to Dan Chenier, the city’s general manager of recreation, culture and facility services, Ottawa is collecting cash-in-lieu money at a faster rate than previously, so requests from councillors can pile up. He said he’s hoping the addition of two full-time park planners might take some of the pressure off.
That’s welcome news to Capital Coun. David Chernushenko, who says a lack of permanent park planners has been a problem since he was elected in 2010.
“You can’t hire good staff who will stay if all you’re giving them is a short-term contract,” he said.
How councillors spend cash-forparks money is almost as varied as council itself.
In Somerset, the lack of available land for a new park, especially in the densely-populated area south of Somerset Street and west of Bronson Avenue, is the real challenge. So Coun. Catherine McKenney, who currently has the highest cash-for-parks account balance at $1.98 million, is saving up and “looking at opportunities for purchases,” she said.
It’s a similar story in Chernushenko’s ward, where the councillor is saving up to replace the Heron
Park field house and contribute to a much-needed new community centre in Old Ottawa East.
Other councillors organize formal consultations before deciding what to do with the money.
Kitchissippi’s Jeff Leiper has been holding public meetings to develop, confirm and prioritize a list of ideas he hopes to translate into a six-year plan for spending his ward’s money, the balance of which was just shy of $650,000 at year’s end.
Like other urban wards facing significant development pressure, Kitchissippi’s cash-for-parks account replenishes itself quickly.
Councillors from neighbouring wards can also collaborate on projects.
In the east-end, Orlèans Coun. Bob Monette, Innes Coun. Jody Mitic and Cumberland Coun. Stephen Blais each chipped in $70,000 to install lights at the St. Matthew High School sports field, which is the home field of the Orléans Bengals football team (the team draws players from all three wards). The $500,000 project, set for completion in April, also received $220,000 from the federal government and $70,000 from the city.
“To me, it’s an ideal solution, providing a need that’s missing in the community,” Monette said.
Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury faces a different challenge. Because cash-for-parks funds can’t be directed to operating costs, he can’t put money into extending the operating hours at Champagne Bath, a fitness facility under increasing pressure thanks to an influx of new residents nearby. He has, instead, overseen significant upgrades at Optimist and Jules Morin parks.
Urban wards typically have the highest balances, but the sprawling Rideau- Goulbourn ward in the city’s rural south end has elbowed its way onto the top five. It includes Manotick, Richmond, North Gower and Munster, as well as several smaller communities.