100 Foot Park

100 Foot Park is an existing park located on the east bank of the Great Cataraqui River, across from Belle Island. The park includes a pathway which runs the length of a ravine to the banks of the river. The pathway includes two timber foot bridges and a limestone stairway leading to Limeridge Drive. The north and south shorelines of the park are divided by the ravine. The south shoreline is currently protected by a vertical stone wall revetment while the north shore is unprotected under existing conditions. High water levels and wave action in 2017 and 2019 resulted in increased erosion along both shorelines through the park. With consideration for public feedback received to date, the project is planned to include the following improvements:

• Removal and replacement of the aging timber bridges with new, safer timber bridges
• Removal and replacement of the aging and irregular limestone steps with concrete steps for improved access.
• Maintenance of the existing shoreline protection measures along the south shoreline.
• Introduction of shoreline protection measures to increase the long-term resiliency of the north shoreline using a hybrid approach to shoreline protection.

Design considerations resulting from public engagement:

• Minor cleanup of ravine channel debris.
• Opportunities for improved accessibility.
• Reposition the existing bench along the north shoreline.
• Add a new bench along the south shoreline.

Figure 1 –Site Layout

Figure 2 –Proposed North Shoreline Treatment (subject to change and to council and regulatory approvals):

Online engagement – Questions & Answers:

The City of Kingston and Riggs Associates hosted an online engagement session on Oct. 26, 2022. The following questions were discussed:

What type of machinery will be used given the lack of access available for large construction equipment?

This will be determined by the contractor but access and the use of smaller equipment is being considered in the design.

Turtle nest protectors are installed by members of the public in the spring. Please reach out to our community for more information on turtle activity prior to construction.

If you observe turtle nesting, please share locations with City Staff. To share the location, take a photo of the general area (with points of reference) with an indicator of the nest’s location, without disturbing the nest (for example, pointing at the location of the nest with your finger in front of the camera on your phone or a photo taken from a distance while the turtle is nesting). Using your phone to estimate the coordinates of the nest location is also beneficial.

Please email the information directly to Matt McCombs, project manager, at mmccombs@cityofkingston.ca. The City will also reach out to the members of the public on the email list for the project prior to construction to ensure turtle nest observations are accounted for.

Is the ravine part of Butternut Creek?

No. Butternut Creek is a watercourse located south of the 100 Foot Park ravine and can be found crossing Hwy 15 immediately north of Barrett Court.

At the mouth of the stream, near the lower bridge, landscape fabric and other forms of debris can be found in the channel. Can some be removed?

Yes.

The shoreline of the park cannot be accessed by scooters under existing conditions. Are there any opportunities for improvement to accessibility. A handrail, for example could add safety and improve access.

The park is in a steep natural ravine. This results in non-accessible grades and pathway slopes, particularly at the west end of the pathway near the shoreline. Measures to improve safety and accessibility will be considered, including a handrail at the steepest portion of the path. The bridge and staircase will be designed to City accessibility standards (FADS).

The bench on the north side is crooked and uncomfortable. A bench on the south side would be nice.

Great suggestion. Improved seating opportunities will be considered.

Can other forms of park improvement be considered, such as a picnic table and garbage bins near the shoreline? Is signage possible to provide messaging about shoreline and encourage environmental practices (putting out your own garbage)?

Additional amenities are beyond the scope of the project. Educational signage will be investigated as part of this project.

In terms of timeline, when will work be undertaken and how long will construction last?

The project is currently under design. Subject to Council budget approval and permits, construction is expected to begin later in 2023.

Online Survey Results:

Residents were invited to complete an online survey on Get Involved Kingston from Oct. 26 to Nov. 23, 2022 to share feedback about the 100 Foot Park project. The responses received are summarized below:

Question 1 – While a restoration of the existing armourstone is planned for the southern shoreline, a new hybrid (green and grey) approach to shoreline stabilization is planned along the norther shoreline. Do you have any feedback about the shoreline treatment approach?

Responses:

• Go as green as possible.
• Looks like a good plan. I would hope that as much as possible the goal should be to move towards a more natural shoreline.
• I am a big supporter of using re-vegetation, staking, and erosion mitigation as an erosion control technique, so I also support the use of a hybrid approach.

Question 2 - The existing stone steps to Limeridge Drive will be replaced with a more accessible concrete stairway. Do you have any feedback about the proposed stairs to Limeridge Drive?

Responses:

• Please integrate them into the natural setting as much as possible, while ensuring safety and durability.
• While it will be losing some of the character of the park, I understand the maintenance and accessibility reason for this. I do hope that in the final execution the amount of concrete used is kept to a minimum, and if any reasonable non-concrete options are possible that they be investigated.

Question 3 - The existing timber bridges are in a state of disrepair and will be replaced with new timber bridges. Do you have any feedback about the replacement of the two pedestrian bridges?

Responses:

• Make ‘em sturdy.
• The plan seems good. My only comment would be I hope that the timber chosen provides better longevity.
• Ideally, they would be wide enough for two to walk side-by-side.

Question 4 - Do you have any other comments you would like to share about the project?

Responses:

• Please move and repair the bench on north side. Add a bench on south side. Add a garbage can at the river end.

In 2019, the City of Kingston was granted $9.8 million in funding from the Federal Government's Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund to address city-wide shoreline protection as well as changing climate, extreme weather events and erosion. Funding is provided to improve and protect critical infrastructure and the community’s quality of life along the waterfront.

Construction is subject to budget approval.