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 University of Guelph – History Project On The Stone Walls on Facebook Share University of Guelph – History Project On The Stone Walls on Twitter Share University of Guelph – History Project On The Stone Walls on Linkedin Email University of Guelph – History Project On The Stone Walls link

    University of Guelph – History Project On The Stone Walls

    by Jewel Swahn, over 2 years ago

    Please click on this link:

    Stone Wall Research Video

    The video is near the top of the page under the

    University of Guelph – History Project On The Stone Walls

    heading and photo.




  • Share Nature and History at the Reformatory Lands on Facebook Share Nature and History at the Reformatory Lands on Twitter Share Nature and History at the Reformatory Lands on Linkedin Email Nature and History at the Reformatory Lands link

    Nature and History at the Reformatory Lands

    by Marlene, over 2 years ago

    I am a bird watcher and since moving to Guelph about 20 years ago, I have been visiting the Reformatory district regularly in search of birds. Many other birders use the area as well during all four seasons of the year. In fact, in mid-April 2022, a very rare Warbler for Wellington County- a Yellow-throated Warbler- showed up in the area of the Superintendent’s House and stayed for over a week. Many birders came from other areas in Ontario to view this rarity.

    As well, I love the stone walls and stone stairs at the Reformatory as they speak to... Continue reading

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

    Geocaching

    by billk, over 2 years ago
    I first found these lands when I took up the hobby of geocaching. Many hidden treasures await the geocacaching community members as they hike these beautiful lands and trails, I would like this maintained for future hiders and finders to explore!
  • Share Part of my social fabric on Facebook Share Part of my social fabric on Twitter Share Part of my social fabric on Linkedin Email Part of my social fabric link

    Part of my social fabric

    by Annette, over 2 years ago
    I grew up in Guelph and aside from a few years overseas and in university, I have stayed in this beautiful city and raised my own children here. As a child, I spent most of my evenings and weekends biking around the city with friends and playing sports. The former OR was a favourite spot with many many children. There were baseball diamonds at one point where we played and then we would bike over to Rocky's for a hotdog. Biking around the grounds was not only beautiful but safe and we would often see couples getting their wedding pictures... Continue reading
  • Share The Reformatory Parklands In Guelph Circa 1940 on Facebook Share The Reformatory Parklands In Guelph Circa 1940 on Twitter Share The Reformatory Parklands In Guelph Circa 1940 on Linkedin Email The Reformatory Parklands In Guelph Circa 1940 link

    The Reformatory Parklands In Guelph Circa 1940

    by JValeriote, over 2 years ago


    This film was taken in the 1940’s by an uncle of John Valeriote whose maternal grandfather,Edwin E. Hammond was the Stationary Engineer who oversaw the installation and maintenance of the heating and plumbing system in The Reformatory, from it beginning. Edwin (Ted), his wife Emma and their family lived on the site from 1911 until the late 1930’s in a large stone house at the end of a laneway off Victoria Rd.,as shown in the film. John’s mother, Velma was born in 1910, one year before The Reformatory opened and died in 2001, the year it closed. The inmates,as part... Continue reading

  • Share Keep this area as is on Facebook Share Keep this area as is on Twitter Share Keep this area as is on Linkedin Email Keep this area as is link

    Keep this area as is

    by Victor Lopez, over 2 years ago
    Beautiful and much needed green space. I love coming here with my dogs, always a beautiful evening here
  • Share Much more than just buildings on Facebook Share Much more than just buildings on Twitter Share Much more than just buildings on Linkedin Email Much more than just buildings link

    Much more than just buildings

    by Chopis1, over 2 years ago

    There is so much history in this place! It is not just the buildings but the surrounding area, to show future generations what was happening in this place, how it was a farm, how the inmates modified the landscape with ponds, trails, bridges, how they used the Clythe creek to irrigate the area, how they build the stone walls that surround the property, in my opinion, even the nearby quarry should be preserved as part of the history of the reformatory, all the stone used in Guelph came mostly from that quarry.

    I love the ponds and the history of... Continue reading

  • Share The yorklans Are A Significant Part of Guelph and Of Its Residents on Facebook Share The yorklans Are A Significant Part of Guelph and Of Its Residents on Twitter Share The yorklans Are A Significant Part of Guelph and Of Its Residents on Linkedin Email The yorklans Are A Significant Part of Guelph and Of Its Residents link

    The yorklans Are A Significant Part of Guelph and Of Its Residents

    by Terry Crowley, over 2 years ago

    The Yorklands

    The Yorklands are an integral part of the fabric of Guelph central to the past, present, and future of its residents. It is imperative that the Yorklands be preserved for the benefit of all. Although placed on the city’s periphery, the Yorklands were always a central feature of Guelph from the time that the prison farm/correctional facility was constructed early in the twentieth century. The people of Guelph worked there and the people of Guelph regularly came to enjoy its grounds. The Yorklands serve as prime recreational area affording healthy leisure at little expense to the environment that... Continue reading

  • Share A unique pocket of Nature and History embedded in Guelph! on Facebook Share A unique pocket of Nature and History embedded in Guelph! on Twitter Share A unique pocket of Nature and History embedded in Guelph! on Linkedin Email A unique pocket of Nature and History embedded in Guelph! link

    A unique pocket of Nature and History embedded in Guelph!

    by ftymchys, over 2 years ago

    I discovered the Reformatory area and surrounding lands in 2017 as a newcomer to Guelph. Guelph Hiking Club took us on a hike. Such an interesting place that offers a wide variety of natural offerings. It struck me that it would be a perfect location for a Nature Educational Centre. It's within the city and it has ponds with frogs, turtles, ducks and water birds. It has a river and trails, hills and dales, woods and meadows. The beautiful stone walls and ornamental ponds intrigued me. That opened the way to learning about the Ontario Reformatory era where a self-sufficient... Continue reading

  • Share Beautiful Green Space and Historic Site on Facebook Share Beautiful Green Space and Historic Site on Twitter Share Beautiful Green Space and Historic Site on Linkedin Email Beautiful Green Space and Historic Site link

    Beautiful Green Space and Historic Site

    by Alli, over 2 years ago

    The Ontario Reformatory grounds are one of my favourite green spaces in the city. The grounds and walking trails are absolutely gorgeous year-round, and the beautiful limestone structures remaining from the Reformatory days give the area a rich sense of history. There really isn't a good way to describe the site, it's just one of those places that you have to experience for yourself.

    I first discovered the OR grounds while working on a second-year geology project for university. The remains of the old quarry feature heavily in my report for the project and are an excellent example of the... Continue reading

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