44 North
Senior Member
That's a completely asinine comment. Yorkville Park, Music Garden, Berczy Park, Sherbourne Commons, Corktown Commons........tons of parks show a high level of design.
Equally, not every park need do so, sometimes all that is required is a some shade, seating, a drinking fountain etc.
But no one has suggested this is going to be a 26 acre patch of trees and grass.
Agreed, we have some great parks. As a new one Corktown Common is amazing and deserving of its accolades. But I think part of the sentiment from some is that they want something grand/open, which downtown does lack to a large extent. We have an amazing assortment of parks, but unlike many major cities that saw expansive areas razed and re-planned to be grand and open, Toronto didn't really do that. I don't have much problem with it, considering that's our history. We never were supposed to be a great megalopolis like Chicago or NYC, and we planned ad hoc and in piecemeal as a 2nd/3rd tier industrial centre. Though in the latter part of the 20th C we started approaching quasi-great status by default. What we seem to be missing is the large open spaces downtown, where the public is greeted with amazing sightlines and whatnot.
But I guess which is better: a large civic square that can host events, a sport/recreational space, a naturalized parkland ecosystem, or all of the above?
I also have some concern over too great an investment in downtown.
To be clear, there were years/decades of under investment and many proposals, such as the DRL are long overdue.
I do, however, have some concern that we not create a reversal of the US doughnut problem by under-investing in our inner suburbs.
Hopefully the September report will bring forward a cohesive costing and parks strategy.
And equally, maybe we'll finally see some tough revenue raising decisions this year by the City so we can more accurately assess what's available and how best to utilize said funds.
One of my worries. A particular public investments that makes me think this is the new Ferry Terminal. I'm fine with improving what we have now, but feel that we may be overdoing it in this case. I guess I haven't seen the costs, and am only assuming it will be a lot from the fanciful design chosen. But there's no question funds are limited, we have a backlog of plans which seems ever-growing, and that it may be wise to tread wisely.
That's such a bullshit example though. From St Clair going south, that covered cut is:
- A parking garage
- Bretton Place and The Summerhill (all private access; tennis courts, parking garage, patio and the buildings themselves)
- TTC-owned grassy area that is completely fenced off, no access allowed
- Another private tennis court
A lot of tennis courts over the subway. If we're making a list we can add Wellesley station as well (its air rights were used for a bldg's parking garage which had two tennis courts above it, tho I think its one now).