About the HPCACThe HPCAC was formed in 1995 by an order-in-council by the City of Toronto as a volunteer organization to provide input and feedback on the preservation and improvements required to protect High Park for future generations. The original name was the High Park Citizens Advisory Committee.
1993 - Parks department recommends establishment of an interim community group
1995 - HPCAC permanently established by City of Toronto
1996 - Volunteer Stewardship program initiated working closely with Urban Forestry and High Park Greenhouses
1996 - Began restoration of Grenadier Pond
1996 - Formal Walking Tour program began
1997 - Children’s Events began – initially to raise funds for the construction of the High Park (now Jamie Bell) Adventure Playground
1997 - Park Watch launched
1997 - K-9 Committee established
1997 - Experimental controlled burns began
1998 - Adventure Playground constructed
1999 - High Park Nature Centre opens as a pilot
1999 - Adopt-a-Plot initiated
2000 - Controlled burns become annual event
2002 - HYPE program initiated
2002 - Development of a 10-year Woodland and Savannah Management Plan
2003 - City of Toronto amalgamation results in changes to the Terms of Reference and High Park Citizen’s Advisory Committee was renamed to High Park Community Advisory Council. In addition, it was realized by the City that HPCAC had been operating a Nature Centre which required the payment of staff and signing of contracts which was in contravention of these new Terms of Reference that had been established.
2003 - High Park Initiatives (charitable number 86638 9505 R0001) formed to be the non-profit charitable fund-raising sister organization to HPCAC and manage the Nature Centre
2003 - HPCAC archives established at Runnymede library (later moved to High Park library)
2004 - High Park Nature Centre reopened by High Park Initiatives
2004 - Opening of demonstration wildflower garden on Boulevard beds
2005 - South shore of Grenadier Pond restored
2005 - HPCAC awarded City of Toronto Environmental Award of Excellence
2005 - HPI granted 3-year $125,000 grant from Trillium foundation for operation of the Nature Centre
2006 - First planning session held to elicit input from the community (Initial Report)
Our Mandate
The mandate of the HPCAC is to facilitate ongoing public input and
assistance in the stewardship of High Park for present and future
generations of Park users.
City of Toronto - Terms of Reference for Advisory Councils
Advisory Council
Operating Procedures
This includes the following:
- provides public input on Park policies, goals and objectives to the
Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture & Tourism, City of Toronto;
- helps facilitate volunteer involvement in Park initiatives; and
- promotes public awareness and responsible stewardship of the Park
The HPCAC operates in partnership with the City of Toronto Parks and
Recreation Division; Colborne Lodge, City of Toronto Culture Division; and
High Park Initiatives, a charitable organization dedicated to providing
funding and staffing for HPCAC programs. A
Letter of Understanding was established between the two organizations to
ensure clarity in responsibilities of the two sister organizations.
Council Members
The HPCAC is a volunteer group made up of a broad range of park users,
including individuals and organized groups. The Council includes local
ratepayer/residents associations, recreational stakeholders, long-term
interest groups, business/park entrepreneurs and a number of
members-at-large from the community. Local City councillors and City staff
representing High Park operations and programs sit as non-voting members of
Council.
Chair -
Robin Sorys
Vice-Chair -
Mark Ellwood
Secretary -
Ken Sharratt
Treasurer -
OPEN
Chair, Natural Environment Committee -
Karen Yukich
Chair, Built Environment and Safety Committee -
Paul Hindle
Chair, Program Committee -
OPEN
Parks & Recreation Staff Representative -
Helen Sousa
Colborne Lodge - Cheryl Hart
Ward 13 Councillor's Office -
Bill Saundercook
Click on any of the above names if you wish to send them an email message.
Members-at large elected for 2007-2008
Mark Ellwood
Irene Kaye
Sharon Lovett
Ali Mustafa
Members-at large elected for 2006-2007
Ron Allan (re-elected)
Joshua Bizjak
John Cleary
Bob Glover
Merle Hudson
Richard Joos
Karyn Morris (re-elected)
Grace Petrucci (re-elected)
Bernard Sanders
Marcella Tomas
Representing HPCAC volunteer program groups
Gloria Worth - ParkWatch
John Cleary
-
K-9 Working Group
Leslie Greener -VSP
Robin Sorys - Children's Events
Diana Teal - Walking Tours (see Nature Centre)
Diana Teal - Nature Centre
TBD - HYPE
Members representing Long term Interests
Ontario Insect Association
- Karen Yukich
Toronto Ornithological Club - Don
Barnett
Toronto Field Naturalists - Wendy
Rothwell
Parkdale High Park Rotary Club - Scott Bartle
Members representing Residents’ Associations
Bloor West Village - Al Denov
West Bend - Ken Sharratt
High Park - Karen Palkowski
Parkdale - Craig Peskett
Roncesvalles/MacDonnell - Peter Elston
Sunnyside - Riina Bray
Swansea Area Ratepayers Association - Position Vacant
Members representing
Recreational Stakeholders
High Park Baseball League - John Primeau
High Park Tennis Club - Jane Devan
High Park Demons Youth Hockey - Bruce Tokiwa
Community Bicycle Network - Arlene Clement
Howard Park Tennis Club
- Jenny Chiu
Members representing
Park Businesses
Grenadier Group - Sam Caragianakos
Canadian Stage Company - Tyler Devine
Ontario Foundation for Visually Impaired Children (Forest School) - April Cornell
City-sponsored programs non-voting members
Colborne Lodge - Cheryl Hart
Children's Garden and Exploring Toronto Programs - Keely Forth
HPCAC Meetings
HPCAC meetings are open to the general public and held at the Howard Park Tennis
Club at 6.30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of every month from September
through May (except December).
The Briefing Notes are used to present information, proposals, ideas to the Council. Vetting of the idea should first go through the appropriate committee structure (see below), presented to the Executive and then finally to the entire Council for approval.
The HPCAC is supported by four committees:
Executive Services Committee includes the Chair, Vice Chair, Past
Chair, Secretary and Treasurer; the Chairs of the Natural Environment, Built
Environment & Safety and Program Group Committees; and City councillor and
Parks and Recreation staff representatives. It facilitates the smooth
operation of HPCAC business.
The Natural Environment Committee advises the Parks and Recreation
Division on comprehensive park management and operations practices. It also
builds community support for sound environmental practices, behaviors and
experiences within the Park.
The Built Environment & Safety Committee
advises the Parks and
Recreation Division on infrastructure maintenance and improvements. This
would cover issues around roads, lighting, buildings and other structures
and anything related to safety.
The Program Group Committee supports and facilitates cooperation among
various HPCAC-sponsored programs including the High Park Nature Centre,
Volunteer Stewardship Program, HYPE, Walking Tours, Park Watch, Children’s
Programs and K-9; and City-sponsored programs operating in High Park
including Colborne Lodge and the Children's Garden.
Each HPCAC-sponsored program has its own volunteer management committee. In
addition, the High Park Nature Centre is operated by qualified staff.
Our Annual General Meeting is usually held at the Grenadier Café and Tea
House at 6.30 p.m. on the third Wednesday in June.
1st Wednesday HPCAC Executive Meeting
2nd Wednesday HPI Board Meeting
4th Wednesday HPCAC General Meeting (Except July, Aug, Dec)
January Winter Fun day
March Easter-Egg Hunt
March Prescribed Burn
April Jamie Bell Adventure Playground Maintenance
May High Park Day
May 31 HPI Fiscal Year End
Mid-June Police Appreciation Day
3rd Wednesday of June HPCAC Annual General Meeting
September Orientation Sessions for New Members
1st Sunday of October Harvest Festival
October Pumpkin Float
Funding and staffing for HPCAC-sponsored programs are provided through High Park Initiatives, a charitable corporation established for this purpose. High Park Initiatives is registered with the Canadian Customs and Revenue Agency as a charitable organization (86638 9505 RR001).
Archival information about the High Park Community Advisory Council and the
natural restoration of High Park is maintained at the High Park branch of
the Toronto Public Library.
Historical information about High Park is maintained at Colborne Lodge.