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Councillor Ana Bailao's response letters.
Stock response letter #1 from Councillor Ana Bailao, August 3 2011:

Thank you for taking the time to contact my office on the subject of Dufferin Grove Park.

As you indicate, Dufferin Grove is both a unique and immensely special area of Toronto. The level of community engagement, innovative programming, and park activity is the envy of many other areas of the City. I also have incredible esteem for the staff who work at this park, for the many extra hours they continually provide to keep the park operating, for the positive attitude and skills they bring to the park, and the dedication they invest in improving this local community hub.

It is true that Dufferin Grove is being examined by City staff to ensure that it meets Health and Safety, Union and City staffing policies as well as City accounting practices. This examination is in no way a negative reflection of the program delivery Dufferin Grove has been providing, but an effort to protect a prized community resource from liability and risks that could shut-down programming.

It is also true that I will fight to make sure that programs, staff, and the high-quality of service Dufferin Grove has become known for is not reduced.

In speaking with many local residents I have heard many concerns about changing Dufferin Grove Park. I will be working with community groups and City Staff to achieve a balance that both allows the rich and innovative community projects of the park as well as the necessary liability requirements the City requires of all of its operations.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact my office and please do not hesitate to do so in the future.

Stock response letter #2 from Councillor Ana Bailao, August 6 2011:

Thank you for taking the time to contact my office and for your interest in preserving the wonderful programming at Dufferin Grove park.

I absolutely agree that a planned and considerate approach is necessary in order to maintain the community engagement at the park and avoid any loss of service.

Recently Parks Management staff have addressed a number of issues at Dufferin Grove. Among them were updates to outdated staffing policies that had existed since amalgamation and which exposed the City to a potentially expensive dispute process.

Before City staff implemented this update I was adamant that the services offered at Dufferin Grove be protected and preserved. I was assured both that there would be no loss of staffing at the park, and no loss to service. In a recent meeting with management, I have requested to have this information in writing to ensure that these changes will have no negative impact on park services.

In addition, staff has indicated that these policy updates will protect the park from union disputes that have cost considerable amounts in other areas of the City, money that can no longer be invested into Parks programming.

Thank you again for contacting me and I invite you to contact me again should you notice any loss of programming or service at the park.

Stock response letter #3, August 16,2011, version 1

Thank you for your continued support to the service and community engagement that exists at Dufferin Grove Park.

Throughout the summer, I have held a number of meetings with City staff, community organizations and local residents. These meetings have included CELOS, an organization which is responsible for much of the unique and treasured programming the park currently offers, and with whom the City will be working to develop a long-term strategy to foster the continuation of these important community services.

The most recent of these meetings, held yesterday, reinforced that all parties feel strongly that Dufferin Grove Park is a wonderful and rich source of community programming that must continue to be supported.

I have been working continually with Parks and Recreation management staff, and CELOS, to develop solutions both for the immediate future and the long-term success of our local park, Dufferin Grove. This conversation included plans to restore all regular park programming by early next week including the wading pool snack-bar.

As City Councillor, the only changes to Dufferin Grove Park that I will tolerate are to improve programming and community involvement. By working closely with residents and City staff, our City can work in partnership with community groups such as CELOS to improve public space for the enjoyment of all.

Thank you again for contacting me on this issue and please do not hesitate to contact me again in the future.

Stock response letter #3, August 16,2011, version 2

Thank you for taking the time to contact my office and for sharing my concerns about the need to protect and preserve the important community initiatives at Dufferin Grove Park. I respect and support the community programs that have been developed at Dufferin Grove, and would never tolerate an initiative to centralize or dimish these services.

At the outset of this summer, I was assured by City Staff that there would be no reduction in either service. The only changes that have been made to Dufferin Grove park are updates to the pay codes of Park staff in compliance with the City's union agreements, and wading pool staff responsibilities in accordance with Provincial guidelines. These changes are in no way a reflection of the historical program delivery of Dufferin Grove, but an effort to protect a prized community resource from liability and risk that could shut-down programming.

Throughout the summer, I have held a number of meetings with City staff, community organizations and local residents. These meetings have included CELOS, an organization which is responsible for much of the unique and treasured programming the park currently offers, and with whom the City will be working to develop a long-term strategy to foster the continuation of these important community services.

The most recent of these meetings, held August 11th, reinforced that all parties feel strongly that Dufferin Grove Park is a wonderful and rich source of community programming that must continue to be supported.

I have been working continually with Parks and Recreation management staff, and CELOS, to develop solutions both for the immediate future and the long-term success of our local park, Dufferin Grove. This conversation included plans to restore all regular park programming by early next week including the wading pool snack-bar.

As City Councillor, the only changes to Dufferin Grove Park that I will tolerate are to improve programming and community involvement. By working closely with residents and City staff, our City can work in partnership with community groups such as CELOS to improve public space for the enjoyment of all.

Sincerely,


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