Go Back

Reformatory district

Share Reformatory district on Facebook Share Reformatory district on Twitter Share Reformatory district on Linkedin Email Reformatory district link

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 Guelph's Green Gem on Facebook Share Guelph's Green Gem on Twitter Share Guelph's Green Gem on Linkedin Email Guelph's Green Gem link

    Guelph's Green Gem

    by Gale, over 2 years ago

    I've often walked and wandered through the beautiful Yorkland trails and fields, and always feel so refreshed and peaceful when I do so. This is one of Guelph's most wonderful treasures, open for all to share. I cannot imagine any land more important to protect and preserve, and may it be there for many generations to come.

  • Share A Hidden Gem on Facebook Share A Hidden Gem on Twitter Share A Hidden Gem on Linkedin Email A Hidden Gem link

    A Hidden Gem

    by Jocelyne, over 2 years ago
    I've had the pleasure of discovering the vast beauty and natural repose of the Yorkland Trails over the last month or two. It has been a pure joy to walk my sister's dog there at least once a week! I had no idea that the area was so far reaching. As soon as one ventures further down any of the paths, with the water by their side, a serene peace penetrates their soul. This is truly a hidden gem in the midst of the city and I pray this valuable refuge will be preserved.
  • Share Yorklands on Facebook Share Yorklands on Twitter Share Yorklands on Linkedin Email Yorklands link

    Yorklands

    by survery, over 2 years ago
    I have been familiar with the OR site since moving to the area in the 1950's.

    It has always been a beautiful green entrance to the City of Guelph from the East.

    The vision, foresight and planning of the creators of this site deserve to be honoured and to be part of the history of Ontario. The history of the site is rich, varied and very relevant to modern times. The learning of trades, gardening [vegetable and flower], quarrying, stone wall building etc. The history is important to all of Ontario's.


    There is the history and there is added to... Continue reading

  • Share Married near the Reformatory Grounds on Facebook Share Married near the Reformatory Grounds on Twitter Share Married near the Reformatory Grounds on Linkedin Email Married near the Reformatory Grounds link

    Married near the Reformatory Grounds

    by Peter Quosai, over 2 years ago

    My wife and I live in the ward and have canoed the Eramosa past the property since our first date 11 years ago. We felt that the well-maintained space along the road up past the superintendents house which pairs natural beauty, historic charm, and part of our personal story was the perfect spot for our wedding ceremony. Now, whenever we visit the park we are reminded of our special day and our connection to the space. I hope we can keep revisiting this memory for many years.

  • Share University of Guelph Research By: Maddy Armstrong on Facebook Share University of Guelph Research By: Maddy Armstrong on Twitter Share University of Guelph Research By: Maddy Armstrong on Linkedin Email University of Guelph Research By: Maddy Armstrong link

    University of Guelph Research By: Maddy Armstrong

    by Jewel Swahn, over 2 years ago

  • Share University of Guelph ASCI 3000 Research on Facebook Share University of Guelph ASCI 3000 Research on Twitter Share University of Guelph ASCI 3000 Research on Linkedin Email University of Guelph ASCI 3000 Research link

    University of Guelph ASCI 3000 Research

    by Jewel Swahn, over 2 years ago

    Go to: Research - Yorklands Green Hub

    and scroll down to the paper called "Future Land Uses".

  • Share U of G Environmental Engineering Students' Research on Facebook Share U of G Environmental Engineering Students' Research on Twitter Share U of G Environmental Engineering Students' Research on Linkedin Email U of G Environmental Engineering Students' Research link

    U of G Environmental Engineering Students' Research

    by Jewel Swahn, over 2 years ago

    To see the report go to: Research - Yorklands Green Hub

    and scroll down to the paper called "The One Water Final Report".



  • Share Wilfred Laurier University’s Contemporary Economic Geography Research on Facebook Share Wilfred Laurier University’s Contemporary Economic Geography Research on Twitter Share Wilfred Laurier University’s Contemporary Economic Geography Research on Linkedin Email Wilfred Laurier University’s Contemporary Economic Geography Research link

    Wilfred Laurier University’s Contemporary Economic Geography Research

    by Jewel Swahn, over 2 years ago

    consulting report

    If first link doesn't work go to: Yorklands Green Hub Consulting Report


  • Share University of Guelph – Landscape Architecture Thesis on Facebook Share University of Guelph – Landscape Architecture Thesis on Twitter Share University of Guelph – Landscape Architecture Thesis on Linkedin Email University of Guelph – Landscape Architecture Thesis link

    University of Guelph – Landscape Architecture Thesis

    by Jewel Swahn, over 2 years ago

    THE YORKLANDS IN GUELPH: LOOKING TO THE FUTURE OF A
    LANDSCAPE SHAPED BY POLICY AND REFORM

    If you have an issue with the first link go here: Research - Yorklands Green Hub

    It is the second research article on the page.


  • Share University of Guelph Research On The Superintendents’ House on Facebook Share University of Guelph Research On The Superintendents’ House on Twitter Share University of Guelph Research On The Superintendents’ House on Linkedin Email University of Guelph Research On The Superintendents’ House link

    University of Guelph Research On The Superintendents’ House

    by Jewel Swahn, over 2 years ago

    By: Emmanuelle Vanleeuwen

    Professor P. Goddard

    HIST 3480: Discovering the Yorklands

    January 19, 2021

    1.1: INTRODUCTION

    The Guelph Correctional Centre has a long and proud history of utilizing new prison reform methods to better inmates’ lives post-release.1 Nestled along the main entryway towards the Administration Building, the Superintendents’ House is a vital jewel of the surviving Ontario Reformatory lands. Due to each Superintendents’ unique involvement in these reform methods, the Superintendents’ House is physically, functionally, and symbolically significant to the history of the Reformatory.

    1.2: HISTORY OF THE ONTARIO REFORMATORY OR GUELPH CORRECTIONAL CENTRE

    In 1908, Conservative Joseph Downey, Chairman... Continue reading

Page last updated: 28 Nov 2024, 09:54 AM