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Reformatory district

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Project Overview

The City of Guelph is developing a Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Plan and guidelines for the Ontario Reformatory HCD.

The Ontario Reformatory opened in 1911 and served as a correctional facility for the first half of the 20th century. From 1970 through to its decommissioning in 2001, parts of the Reformatory site were repurposed and operated as the provincially run Guelph Correctional Centre. In 2016, Infrastructure Ontario indicated its intention to sell the property and completed the required environmental remediation at that time. The lands are now used by the public for passive recreation and environmental education.

The Ontario Reformatory lands, also known as the Guelph Correctional Centre, are at 785 York Road in Guelph’s east end, south of York Road and west of Watson Parkway South.

The OR HCD project has two phases; both include a mix of technical and engagement tasks.

Phase 1: Heritage Conservation District Study

The OR HCD study assessed the historical, design, and contextual value of the study area; identified contributing and non-contributing properties and resources; reviewed the existing policy framework in the area, and defined boundaries for the cultural heritage landscape. Phase 1 also included community engagement to help the project team further understand the community’s experience of the area and to inform the proposed HCD boundaries.

Phase 2: Heritage Conservation District Plan

Based on the outcomes of Phase 1 and the Council’s approval, we are building on the recommendations of the study. The OR HCD plan will provide guidelines for managing change in ways that highlight the distinctive character of the area.

Update

Phase 1 - On March 21, 2023, City Council approved the recommendations from the OR HCD Study and the proposed OR HCD boundary and directed that the project move to Phase 2 to prepare an HCD Plan and Guidelines for the lands within the Ontario Reformatory HCD boundary in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act.

Phase 2 – WSP (the consultants) have produced a draft HCD Plan and Guidelines document that, if approved, would be used to implement a potential heritage conservation district designation by-law. The OR HCD Plan document includes policies and guidelines to manage change and conserve the distinct heritage character of the Ontario Reformatory HCD.

The Plan provides policy direction, strategies, design guidelines, and conservation standards that support and enhance the cultural heritage value or interest and unique character of the Ontario Reformatory HCD. The OR HCD Plan will:

  • Confirm the HCD boundary as identified in the OR HCD Study;
  • Describe the OR HCD’s cultural heritage value and interest including the statement of objectives for the HCD Plan; and
  • Provide guidelines founded on the statement of objectives and the recommendations of the Study that will provide a consistent approach to managing change, alterations, and maintenance of the built heritage attributes and landscape heritage attributes that comprise the OR HCD.

How to Participate

The draft Ontario Reformatory HCD plan and guidelines was released to the public on November 1, 2024 within the agenda of the City Council Planning meeting held November 13. This meeting serves as the statutory public meeting for the project under the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act. The Council report and recording are available on the City's council meeting agenda pages on Guelph.ca. Please note the OR HCD report starts at 3:58:50. This meeting did not conclude and required a continuance to complete the required steps to move forward with the final phase of engagement.

The continuance meeting was held November 26 at 2PM. The minutes of this meeting are available on the City’s agenda pages on Guelph.ca.

A public open house to review and discuss the released draft Ontario Reformatory HCD Plan and Guidelines will be scheduled for early in 2025. Check back to this page for details.

Project Overview

The City of Guelph is developing a Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Plan and guidelines for the Ontario Reformatory HCD.

The Ontario Reformatory opened in 1911 and served as a correctional facility for the first half of the 20th century. From 1970 through to its decommissioning in 2001, parts of the Reformatory site were repurposed and operated as the provincially run Guelph Correctional Centre. In 2016, Infrastructure Ontario indicated its intention to sell the property and completed the required environmental remediation at that time. The lands are now used by the public for passive recreation and environmental education.

The Ontario Reformatory lands, also known as the Guelph Correctional Centre, are at 785 York Road in Guelph’s east end, south of York Road and west of Watson Parkway South.

The OR HCD project has two phases; both include a mix of technical and engagement tasks.

Phase 1: Heritage Conservation District Study

The OR HCD study assessed the historical, design, and contextual value of the study area; identified contributing and non-contributing properties and resources; reviewed the existing policy framework in the area, and defined boundaries for the cultural heritage landscape. Phase 1 also included community engagement to help the project team further understand the community’s experience of the area and to inform the proposed HCD boundaries.

Phase 2: Heritage Conservation District Plan

Based on the outcomes of Phase 1 and the Council’s approval, we are building on the recommendations of the study. The OR HCD plan will provide guidelines for managing change in ways that highlight the distinctive character of the area.

Update

Phase 1 - On March 21, 2023, City Council approved the recommendations from the OR HCD Study and the proposed OR HCD boundary and directed that the project move to Phase 2 to prepare an HCD Plan and Guidelines for the lands within the Ontario Reformatory HCD boundary in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act.

Phase 2 – WSP (the consultants) have produced a draft HCD Plan and Guidelines document that, if approved, would be used to implement a potential heritage conservation district designation by-law. The OR HCD Plan document includes policies and guidelines to manage change and conserve the distinct heritage character of the Ontario Reformatory HCD.

The Plan provides policy direction, strategies, design guidelines, and conservation standards that support and enhance the cultural heritage value or interest and unique character of the Ontario Reformatory HCD. The OR HCD Plan will:

  • Confirm the HCD boundary as identified in the OR HCD Study;
  • Describe the OR HCD’s cultural heritage value and interest including the statement of objectives for the HCD Plan; and
  • Provide guidelines founded on the statement of objectives and the recommendations of the Study that will provide a consistent approach to managing change, alterations, and maintenance of the built heritage attributes and landscape heritage attributes that comprise the OR HCD.

How to Participate

The draft Ontario Reformatory HCD plan and guidelines was released to the public on November 1, 2024 within the agenda of the City Council Planning meeting held November 13. This meeting serves as the statutory public meeting for the project under the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act. The Council report and recording are available on the City's council meeting agenda pages on Guelph.ca. Please note the OR HCD report starts at 3:58:50. This meeting did not conclude and required a continuance to complete the required steps to move forward with the final phase of engagement.

The continuance meeting was held November 26 at 2PM. The minutes of this meeting are available on the City’s agenda pages on Guelph.ca.

A public open house to review and discuss the released draft Ontario Reformatory HCD Plan and Guidelines will be scheduled for early in 2025. Check back to this page for details.

Tell us about your connection to the Reformatory Lands

The history of the Reformatory Lands is complicated. From its beginnings as a space where imprisoned individuals could learn new skills to a place where a more traditional form of incarceration was practiced to its present where it supports recreation, education and access to nature, these lands are filled with stories. As part of this project, we want to gain a stronger understanding of the stories associated with the Reformatory Lands - both the good and the bad. If you have a connection to these lands, we invite you to share it here. Anonymous responses are welcome, and if you would like to share your story privately, please contact a member of the project team to share your story via email or set up a phone call where you can share your story with one of our staff members in confidence. These stories are integral to the historical significance of these lands, and will form a significant part of our HCD Study. 

Thank you for sharing your story with us. We look forward to including it in our Heritage Conservation District Study.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
  • Share Nature and History combined on Facebook Share Nature and History combined on Twitter Share Nature and History combined on Linkedin Email Nature and History combined link

    Nature and History combined

    by Liz G, over 2 years ago
    I have walked the grounds with my dog and now with my children for many years. The grounds offer an amazing mix of nature and history. I have always enjoyed walking around the old property and envisioning what it used to be like. My children enjoy walking around the ponds and seeing the wildlife. I would love to have more opportunities to learn about the history of the property and see the buildings used more.
  • Share Zen in nature on the East end of Guelph on Facebook Share Zen in nature on the East end of Guelph on Twitter Share Zen in nature on the East end of Guelph on Linkedin Email Zen in nature on the East end of Guelph link

    Zen in nature on the East end of Guelph

    by L.A.S, over 2 years ago
    My family loves walking these lands each day with our dog. This is a space where we have made friends with other community members and our dog looks forward to seeing her pup friends.
    The many trails to hike and the beauty of the landscape is breathtaking and peaceful. There’s so much space and fun for everyone offering the simplicity of what a green space should be without the added touches of commercialization. It’s amazing to see the stone walls that the inmates built and the history the land offers. We love our daily walks here.
  • Share Preservation for future generations on Facebook Share Preservation for future generations on Twitter Share Preservation for future generations on Linkedin Email Preservation for future generations link

    Preservation for future generations

    by Sharyn Seibert, over 2 years ago

    As we approach the current public consultation phase for the Ontario Reformatory Lands, I’d like to provide some input about my experience with this unique and vital property. First of all, my memories of the OR go back to when I was a small child, growing up in Cambridge. Our family would travel to Guelph and have summer picnics on the lovely lawns gracing the banks of Clythe Creek. It is a valuable resource in our community that needs to be preserved. I would like to see this property protected for future generations, allow for the creation of an ecological... Continue reading

  • Share Nature in the middle of town on Facebook Share Nature in the middle of town on Twitter Share Nature in the middle of town on Linkedin Email Nature in the middle of town link

    Nature in the middle of town

    by Fernanda, over 2 years ago

    The Ontario Reformatory Lands has been a destination for our family. I will take my young boys to walk on the fields and see the geese ( which it has plenty of them!). We will try to recognize plants as we walk or simply play tag or hide and seek. Guelph is lucky to have such a wonder piece of land with a variety of vegetation, wild life and even water! This land should be keep as natural as possible and make it accessible to all.

  • Share The importance of the OR site on Facebook Share The importance of the OR site on Twitter Share The importance of the OR site on Linkedin Email The importance of the OR site link

    The importance of the OR site

    by BLB, over 2 years ago
    The first time I saw this beautiful property I was watching my niece run in OFSAA 5 km race. That must have been in the early to mid 2000s. I remember it clearly because I had never been there before although had lived in Guelph for several years by that time. I noticed how unique and special the place was. After that I occasionally went there with my children to walk the trails and enjoy the view of the ponds. More recently as my children have now grown and I have had a chance to travel abroad to France I... Continue reading
  • Share A wonderful space on Facebook Share A wonderful space on Twitter Share A wonderful space on Linkedin Email A wonderful space link

    A wonderful space

    by dailywalker, over 2 years ago

    Yorklands Green Hub is a beautiful space that can provide a huge amount of value to the Guelph community. There are already so many grassroots programs and events happening, with small investments from the city or partners, it can be turned into a real attraction in guelph. Not just something for the neighborhood but for all of Guelph and those from out of town as well. I have enjoyed many hikes there and would like to conitnue to see this space preserved. In addition, there is immense historic value and it should be preserved as a historic site - think... Continue reading

  • Share Important ecosystem on Facebook Share Important ecosystem on Twitter Share Important ecosystem on Linkedin Email Important ecosystem link

    Important ecosystem

    by Vlpz, over 2 years ago
    I have been to the Reformatory Lands many times with my family and by myself, I enjoy the diversity of the vegetation here and I have encountered many different types of wildlife on my visits. I love how serene this place is, I love the different trails to explore and how it is a great opportunity to come say hi to the Community. As a city, I believe Guelph’s ecosystem and society benefits immensely from the Reformatory lands and it saddens me to think future generations may not get to enjoy its beauty.
  • Share Green Oasis - Heart of Guelph on Facebook Share Green Oasis - Heart of Guelph on Twitter Share Green Oasis - Heart of Guelph on Linkedin Email Green Oasis - Heart of Guelph link

    Green Oasis - Heart of Guelph

    by Green Oasis, over 2 years ago
    What a gift to have this Green Oasis as the Heart of Guelph.


    I walk here frequently with my Golden Retriever and have enjoyed learning about the nature and fauna on naturalist-led walks.

    This land needs to be preserved for present and future generations of Guelphites and visitors.

    To have walking trails, outdoor learning centres, perhaps an outdoor theatre,community gardens, a cafe that helped fund some environmental education initiatives, increase the tree canopy.....SO much benefit for all ages to see and understand this precious gem right IN Guelph

    This is my hope ---for a continued green expanding of this natural... Continue reading

  • Share Concerned on Facebook Share Concerned on Twitter Share Concerned on Linkedin Email Concerned link

    Concerned

    by waterst, over 2 years ago
    Driving into Guelph to visit my son at university the Reformation lands always impressed me.Since moving here over 20yrs ago they are part of what makes Guelph such a great place to live.I have spent many wonderful times there.It is part of Guelph history & was a great idea to teach unfortunate people the love of nature & instil a purpose.Lets keep that alive by using this property for all to benefit.Part to be used a nature reserve,part for education of nature & history,part for affordable housing,part for community benefit.Lets keep the Guelph spirit alive by helping everyone enjoy its... Continue reading
  • Share Keep It In The Family on Facebook Share Keep It In The Family on Twitter Share Keep It In The Family on Linkedin Email Keep It In The Family link

    Keep It In The Family

    by Diane G., over 2 years ago
    In years past our family used this parkland to walk the dog, or play baseball, and that was it. In the last several years we have discovered that we were only using a small part of this inner-city gem. There are many trails and areas we still have yet to explore. As of late we have spent time painting and enjoying photography, noticing the birds and wildlife (wow, the biggest turtle I have ever seen outside of a zoo!), and basking in nature. This is a site that absolutely needs to be developed/owned for the population of Guelph to enjoy... Continue reading
Page last updated: 28 Nov 2024, 09:54 AM