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What is the Maple Valley Plan?
The Maple Valley Plan embraces a diverse area comprising
approximately 245 ha. and containing the following features:
- The Keele Valley Landfill site, which is now closed, including its primary and secondary
buffer areas;
- The old Township and private landfill sites which are now closed;
- The Avondale composting and extraction site which is now closed
- The former “MNR lands” on the east side of Dufferin St.; and,
- The Environmentally sensitive area of the east branch of the
Don River;
City Council directed the undertaking of the Maple
Valley Plan in recognition of a number of individual initiatives
which collectively relate to the longer term parks and open space
planning for the north Vaughan-Maple area.
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What is the vision?
A series of vision statements addressing a number of major
themes within the area were established through community consultation.
The Vision Statements addressed the following:
- Parks and Open Space
- Environmental Stewardship
- Leisure and Recreation
- Education
- Community Integration and Accessibility.
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What is planned?
The Maple Valley Plan was approved by Council in July 2000
following extensive community consultation and is implemented through
Official Plan Amendment 535 which was approved by the Region of
York on November 22, 2000.
The recommended concept for the Maple Valley Plan
contained seven complimentary land use activities. These are:
- Passive recreation and natural rehabilitation on the closed
landfill sites, including Keele Valley;
- A major active park known as “North Maple Park” on the lands
formerly used for composting by the City of Toronto (Avondale site);
- A major conservation/day camp area on the east side of Dufferin
St., formerly the MNR District office and research station;
- A privately owned public golf course and practice facility
on lands north of Major Mackenzie Dr. and west of Dufferin St.
(Eagle's Nest Golf Course)
- Commercial and Industrial development at defined nodes along
Major Mackenzie Dr.
- Protection of a major natural area to the south west of the
Teston Rd. – Dufferin St. intersection which includes a portion
of the East Don River valley and the Maple Uplands environmental
area;
- The extension of McNaughton Rd. and Rodinea Rd.
These elements are shown on the Maple
Valley Concept Plan.
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When will it occur?
Implementation of the Maple Valley Plan has occurred through
public and private initiatives, both of which have been generally
linked to the closure of Keele Valley Landfill in 2002. In wake of this closure,
considerable work has been taken to obtain detailed approval of the
various elements of the Maple Valley Plan.
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What about park facilities?
A major component of the Maple Valley Plan is the creation
of North Maple Park. The park will be comprised of approximately 200 ha. and
is intended to be located on the east side of Keele St. north of
Teston Rd. on lands previously owned and
operated by the City of Toronto (the Avondale site).
In April 2010, approximately 82 ha. of these lands were acquired by the City of Vaughan for development of North Maple Park.
A preliminary concept plan for North Maple Park envisages
an integrated active and passive recreational areas. It will serve
as a major centre for sports such as soccer and baseball, as well
as providing green space and trails for picnics, hiking and informal gatherings.
The final plan will be developed based on a formal community consultation
process involving sports groups, residents and other stakeholders.
These elements are shown on the North
Maple Park Preliminary Concept Plan.
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What has occurred around the Landfill
Site?
An important private initiative has been the establishment of Eagle's Nest Golf Course to the east, west
and southern limits of the former Keele Valley Landfill. This golf course has served to rehabilitate the sand and gravel pits which existed
in the area, and integrated these lands back into the community
fabric of Maple.
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What efforts will continue in the
future?
Future planning for the area will also include:
- The rehabilitation and naturalization of the Keele Valley landfill
site;
- A plan for the former MNR lands;
- The construction of the McNaughton Rd and Rodinea Rd. extensions;
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Conclusion
Public and private investment on and around the Keele Valley
landfill site is aimed at transforming this area of Vaughan into an attractive open space area combining a great
range of active and passive recreational opportunities. This initiative
will serve to integrate the area back into the community and
the natural environment after almost half a century of gravel extraction
and landfill activity.
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More information
For further information on this or other Planning initiatives
contact the City of Vaughan:
Development Planning
developmentplanning@vaughan.ca
Policy Planning
policyplanning@vaughan.ca
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