Preserving LaSalle Park for all Residents

Earlier this week, I, along with the rest of Burlington Council and City staff, was made aware of a proposed motion related to LaSalle Park being brought forward by Hamilton Councillor Sam Merulla to their Council meeting today (Wednesday, May 27). The text of that is below.The park is owned by the City of Hamilton and leased to the City of Burlington for $1 annually, with Burlington taxpayers bearing the full costs of maintenance, operation and amenities in the park. It has been enjoyed by both communities for decades. The current lease expires in 2022 and there are ongoing discussions about what comes next.The bottom line for me and Council is to ensure that all of this vital green space stays parkland for current and future generations of both of our cities to continue to enjoy.More background and history of the park and the motion is below.MOTION:The original motion (available via link) has been amended to:

WHEREAS, LaSalle Park, comprising approximately 51.5 acres of open space (35 ac.) and park/table land (16.5 ac.), was acquired by the City of Hamilton between 1912-1916;

WHEREAS, in 1958, Aldershot was annexed to the City of Burlington, yet the City of Hamilton continued ownership of LaSalle Park and the park was managed by the Hamilton Parks Board;

WHEREAS, between 1975 and 1983, the City of Burlington managed LaSalle Park under a joint management agreement;

WHEREAS, in 1983, the City of Burlington leased the Park from the City of Hamilton under the following terms:

• Term: forty (40) years, commencing Jan.1, 1983 and expiring Dec.31, 2022
• Annual Rent: $1.00 (payable Aug.1 each year)
• Use: Exclusive right to maintain, operate, programme and manage LaSalle Park for the sole purpose of a public park and related parks uses - outdoor recreational activities and open to the public at all reasonable times at no charge to the public (with exception of Sailing Club)
• Improvements: Improvements or alterations to existing improvements require prior written consent of Hamilton, in its sole discretion
• Obligation: Burlington to maintain, operate, programme and manage LaSalle Park as its sole cost and expense
• Name: must continue as LaSalle Park
• Renewal: The Lease may be renewed for twenty-five (25) years and only by mutual agreement. There is no notice or exercise period;

and between 1993 and 1997, several amendments/consent agreements were entered into to address the rebuilding and restoration of the historic pavilion;

WHEREAS, the City of Burlington has from time to time expressed a desire to acquire LaSalle Park (barring that to renew the lease), but not at a price acceptable to the City of Hamilton; and,

WHEREAS, the current lease will expire on December 31, 2022 and the current event space operator of the pavilion within the park is seeking to book events beyond the expiry date of the lease;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That the Corporate Real Estate Office, in collaboration with other relevant divisions, be directed to undertake a review of the value and implications of alternative disposition (sell, lease, develop, operate) options for LaSalle Park, and report back to General Issues Committee.

BACKGROUND:Discussions related to LaSalle Park are ongoing among staff and members of the Greater Bay Area Subcommittee about the upcoming lease deadline in 2022. The Subcommittee includes myself, Councillor Kelvin Galbraith (Ward 1) whose ward includes LaSalle, Councillor Rory Nisan (Ward 3) whose ward shares a border with Hamilton, Mayor Fred Eisenberger, and Councillor Lloyd Ferguson. Those discussions have been cordial and respectful with a view to finding a solution that is fair and reasonable for both our cities.The land is owned by the City of Hamilton, but the full costs of the maintenance and operation of the park over many decades has been fully funded by City of Burlington taxpayers, including park amenities like the playground, ball diamond, splash pad and picnic areas. The park has been enjoyed by residents both of our communities and beyond. The arrangement has worked well for both our cities.Burlington is open to any reasonable and sensible arrangement to continue the use and enjoyment of this area as parks space for our communities, as it has been for decades, including extending the lease or turning the land over to Burlington.Our City is not interested, nor am I, in any conversation that would see the land sold for development. For the best interest and enjoyment of both our communities, this vital parkland needs to be preserved in its entirely. We look forward to continued discussions about preserving this land for parks space for the current and future enjoyment of our residents.

"As the councillor for Aldershot, I know firsthand how valuable LaSalle Park is to the local community.  I am certain that many people are not aware or do not care about its ownership as long as it remains a park.  It is certainly my desire and the City of Burlington’s to keep this unique property as parkland for eternity and therefore, the value of such land should be recognized as just that.  We would not entertain any discussions of developing portions of land or paying for a valuation of highest and best use.  There are plenty of redevelopment and infill construction opportunities within the local community that we do not need to start removing open parkland that is so cherished to both Hamilton and Burlington citizens." -- Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith, City of Burlington

I recently got some additional background information from former Burlington Mayor Walter Mulkewich, who helped negotiate the original lease when he was the Ward 1 Councillor and Chair of Burlington’s Parks Committee, along with  Councillor Brian Hinkley who was Chair of Hamilton’s Parks Committee.The 40-year lease was passed by both Councils.Then Hamilton Mayor Bob Morrow paddled from Hamilton over to LaSalle in his canoe where then Burlington Mayor Roland (Roly) Bird and Counc. Mulkewich met him at the dock. The group then celebrated with a softball game at LaSalle Park ball diamond between the City Councils of Burlington and Hamilton -- unfortunately for Burlington, Hamilton won that game.The people of Hamilton still use LaSalle Park for boating, walking, park lunches, and much more. It's very open to anyone to use and likely a large percentage, maybe the largest percentage, of the users are from Hamilton. There is no charge for admission to the park.LaSalle Park has never been within the City of Hamilton boundaries. When Hamilton purchased the privately-operated park, it was in the Township of East Flamborough at that time. It was purchased by Hamilton to give their working residents a place to go by ferry boat from Hamilton port to LaSalle -- the ferry ran every hour. LaSalle Park is still very heavily used by Hamilton  residents for picnicking, celebrations, boating, and more.The City of Burlington has paid for maintenance and capital improvements for the park starting several years before the formal agreement that now is in place. LaSalle Park has not cost Hamilton anything for a very long time. The park is zoned as parkland and the City of Burlington will never allow any residential or other development on that parkland.The LaSalle Marina and the dock are both within the City of Hamilton boundaries as the boundary line between Burlington and Hamilton is the high water mark on the shoreline. An attempt by Burlington to change the boundary to the middle of Burlington Bay was defeated by the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).Once a new agreement is negotiated with Hamilton, perhaps another commemorative ball game can be held to celebrate -- but our City will have to find some extra staff to field a team of 9, given our current council size is only 7.MY TAKE:Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger and I talked this week about our shared goal for both of our communities to maintain this area as parkland. The details of the arrangement are open to reasonable and fair discussion, but what matters most is keeping all of it as parkland. Any options would flow out of that primary principle.There is no harm in Hamilton Council getting more information related to the future of our arrangement between our two cities regarding LaSalle, but we are not open to development and the area is zoned parkland. We’ve seen during this COVID-19 pandemic just how important it is to have a large open area for people to space out.This is very precious green space and it's been cherished by the community for many decades, including Hamilton residents and others who visit.While I can't speak to past offers Burlington has made to Hamilton regarding LaSalle Park, I can say that today is a new day and we have a new mayor and council.The primary goal for me, our Burlington council and both our communities is that it stay parkland now and into the future.For additional details, see my interview with CBC News commenting on the Hamilton Councillor's motion and LaSalle Park -- you can read the story by clicking this link.-- Mayor Marianne Meed Ward