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A vision for a
multi-generational
and connected
neighbourhood
in Oro-Medonte
Anchor 1
A vision for a
multi-generational and
connected neighbourhood
in Oro-Medonte
We are in the early stages of the planning process. Scroll down to learn more about McLean Park.
Our Family
About the McLean Family
For generations, the McLean Family has been a faithful steward of our 133 acres situated in Oro-Medonte, just east of a shared border with the City of Barrie. It’s here that our parents, Joe and Eileen McLean, lived and worked the land. As their children, and proud inheritors of their farming traditions, we are committed to honouring their legacy. We wish to begin a new chapter that will bring our family’s property into the community for generations to come.
The Vision
Our vision is to build an innovative neighbourhood called McLean Park, a healthy and vibrant community that will enhance quality of life and one that welcomes everyone - most particularly the under-serviced seniors in our community. Our hope is that McLean Park will be a flourishing place within Oro-Medonte where people dwell and grow contentedly together at all stages of life - and remain firmly connected to the land and to each other.
Our Vision
Community Courtyards
Farmer's Market
Coffee Shop
Community Courtyards
1/15
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Seniors' housing right in Oro-Medonte• At present, Oro-Medonte is unable to meet the needs of its aging population. Oro-Medonte seniors want to stay in their communities as they age, and we want to support this wish. • The Seniors’ Block of McLean Park—close to gardens, doctors and meeting places and integrated within the community—will provide hundreds of units of right-sized transition housing for seniors including: independent cottages, shared four-flexed units, townhomes, condo, apartments, long-term care beds and cooperative housing for personal support workers. The Seniors’ Block of McLean Park will not only fill a vital need in Oro-Medonte but will lead Ontario in design for aging well within the community.
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A natural setting centred around innovative urban agricultureMcLean Park is a unique opportunity to incorporate urban agriculture into the fabric of the community right from the onset. By including: an urban farm, community gardens, roof-top gardens, a native plant nursery, edible landscapes, and food hubs; McLean Park will preserve the rural character of the area and maintain the productivity of the land. • McLean Park will be a place where rural and urban meet -- a shining example of how communities can be woven into parks, trails, community gardens, green roofs and living walls. • The soul of the community will be the original, McLean Barn; restored and transformed into an event space for public use, featuring a field-to-table restaurant and farmers’ market. • The eight-acre, central green space, “The Muir” will bring people together in nature to play, relax and be entertained. • We are excited that this new vision will create greater field to table local food production. Our direct proximity to the city does not make dairy farming currently viable. We are in consultation with agricultural specialists to maximize opportunity for market garden production through community and vertical gardens, with additional acreage for crops that will increase food production.
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Multi-generational living with access to jobs and transportation• We want to make living in Oro-Medonte accessible to all ages. McLean Park will offer right-sized apartments, town homes, single family dwellings, and seniors’ housing. All will have access to green spaces, along with cycling, walking and cross-country trails. • Jobs: Beyond the initial construction jobs, McLean Park will build permanent employment opportunities in seniors’ care, community centre infrastructure, and event planning at “The Barn.” • The property is uniquely situated directly on public transit, and close to Georgian College, and the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre. • Residents, and especially senior residents, will be readily connected to food, healthcare, enriching activities, and transportation. By having access to public spaces such as community gardens, parks, and kitchens, seniors become integrated and connected to other generations within the community.
It is our hope that McLean Park will provide:
Project Status
What has happened to date?
Our proposal for McLean Park provides a fresh vision of an exciting community. As a family, we have put much thought into this legacy for a long time. Oro-Medonte’s urgent and overwhelming need for senior residences has never been greater. With an interest in big ideas, and the changes around us, we talked about what could truly make a difference in the community that has been our family’s home for so many years. We have met with innovators in design, engineering, urban planning, environmental consulting, seniors’ housing, sustainability and new agriculture.
We have talked about our own experiences with our parents as senior citizens, and what type of living environment we would have dreamed of for them; but also how to integrate all of the important elements to truly make it a community for future generations.
Our own professional lives are in agriculture, medicine, business, education, and architecture. These experiences guided our research into examples of healthy, sustainable, and multi-generational communities which helped us develop our goals.
While we have talked about our vision as a family, we are early in this project, and our discussions with the Township of Oro-Medonte and the County of Simcoe. Part of the process will be ongoing discussions between Oro-Medonte, neighbouring municipalities including the City of Barrie, and the County of Simcoe.
As we continue through the planning and design process, we look forward to engaging with our neighbours, community members, and any other interested groups. We invite you to share your questions and comments with us.
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Seniors' housing right in Oro-Medonte• At present, Oro-Medonte is unable to meet the needs of its aging population. Oro-Medonte seniors want to stay in their communities as they age, and we want to support this wish. • The Seniors’ Block of McLean Park—close to gardens, doctors and meeting places and integrated within the community—will provide hundreds of units of right-sized transition housing for seniors including: independent cottages, shared four-flexed units, townhomes, condo, apartments, long-term care beds and cooperative housing for personal support workers. The Seniors’ Block of McLean Park will not only fill a vital need in Oro-Medonte but will lead Ontario in design for aging well within the community.
-
A natural setting centred around innovative urban agricultureMcLean Park is a unique opportunity to incorporate urban agriculture into the fabric of the community right from the onset. By including: an urban farm, community gardens, roof-top gardens, a native plant nursery, edible landscapes, and food hubs; McLean Park will preserve the rural character of the area and maintain the productivity of the land. • McLean Park will be a place where rural and urban meet -- a shining example of how communities can be woven into parks, trails, community gardens, green roofs and living walls. • The soul of the community will be the original, McLean Barn; restored and transformed into an event space for public use, featuring a field-to-table restaurant and farmers’ market. • The eight-acre, central green space, “The Muir” will bring people together in nature to play, relax and be entertained. • We are excited that this new vision will create greater field to table local food production. Our direct proximity to the city does not make dairy farming currently viable. We are in consultation with agricultural specialists to maximize opportunity for market garden production through community and vertical gardens, with additional acreage for crops that will increase food production.
-
Multi-generational living with access to jobs and transportation• We want to make living in Oro-Medonte accessible to all ages. McLean Park will offer right-sized apartments, town homes, single family dwellings, and seniors’ housing. All will have access to green spaces, along with cycling, walking and cross-country trails. • Jobs: Beyond the initial construction jobs, McLean Park will build permanent employment opportunities in seniors’ care, community centre infrastructure, and event planning at “The Barn.” • The property is uniquely situated directly on public transit, and close to Georgian College, and the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre. • Residents, and especially senior residents, will be readily connected to food, healthcare, enriching activities, and transportation. By having access to public spaces such as community gardens, parks, and kitchens, seniors become integrated and connected to other generations within the community.
Contact
Questions or Comments
We are looking forward to strong community involvement in the project and would love to hear from you. Please share your questions or comments.
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