On December 9, 1987, M.C. Chapman, Director of Parks for the City of London outlined how Attawandaron Road residents with properties abutting Attawandaron Park “requested permission to plant trees and shrubs at the rear of their properties...” and how these modifications “...are not offensive, and in fact add to the aesthetics of the area." For the past forty years, Attawandaron Road residents have stewarded City of London boundary lands which include 'encroaching' trees, shrubs and flowers that provide the neighborhood with shade, cooling, wildlife habitat and many other co-benefits for the City. Current allegations of encroachment are in most cases trees, planted flowers and shrubs that both beautify the park and attract pollinators while providing a valuable buffer between private property and City maintained property. 

Whereas Attawandaron Park was rezoned from a Neighborhood Park to an ESA Open Space during the Medway Valley Conservation Master Plan process with no notification to impacted property owners 

Whereas Attawandaron Park provides a safe and accessible open space for passive recreation for Attawandaron Road neighborhood without crossing Fanshawe Road or Wonderland Road consistent with Park access policy

Whereas Council has recommended the removal of a Level 3 Trail from the Medway Valley Master Plan by staff due to its high cost and impacts on the environment and community as soon as possible

Whereas Council has also recommended keeping Attawandaron Park maintained for passive recreation through continued lawn mowing

Whereas renaturalization of Attawandaron Park will limit or reduce opportunities for passive recreation and reduce access to a safe and accessible neighborhood park for the Attawandaron Road neighborhood 

Whereas the boundary area of the Medway Valley ESA contains a 15m buffer of invasive buckthorn from the historical marker in need of City attention 

Whereas the properties located from 1638 - 1650 Attawandaron Road are located on a steep and treed slope with proof of historic acquiescence from the City to maintain the sloped boundary area currently subject to encroachment allegations 

Whereas the property located at 1712 has a City service providing retaining wall that was historically encouraged and is currently subject to encroachment allegations 

Whereas the properties located from 1728-1780 Attawandaron Road are rental row housing with historic acquiescence from the City to enforce the currently fenced boundary area separating properties from the eroding slope of the Medway Valley ESA, and are now subject to encroachment allegations 

Whereas the historic boundary lines for several properties in the neighborhood are unclear and there is a need for a third party survey to be completed to establish clarity regarding boundaries for all abutting properties to the Park 

Therefore be it resolved that ARNA seeks Council support for resolution to the historical and contextual Attawandaron Park boundary issues by endorsing the PEC recommendation for staff to further study and report back on opportunities for enabling property boundary resolution through further exploring Attawandaron Park rezoning and opportunities for 'land-locked' sloped boundary properties, CIty service providing properties (e.g. retaining walls) and appropriate distancing for property boundaries of rental row housing from City boundaries; as well as potential opportunities for incremental liens on property taxes or realty sales based on arbitrated boundaries and/or licensing/encroachment agreements with the City of London (Option 2 and 3 in the staff report). 

Be it also resolved that ARNA seeks Council to approve and implement the draft bylaw to revise the 2021 MVHF (South) CMP to remove the planned Level Three Trail prior to the end of this Council session.