We need more green space?

[building babel]

I'm delighted that the designers of Dundas Square, for instance, resisted the urge to turn it into relentlessly "green space". The six trees there, when they grow, will provide shade enough, and a dash of green. Some of the great urban spaces are entirely free of fauna - think of Rome's Piazza Navona with fountains by Bernini, a church by Borromini - and full of life and energy.

It seems like such an unimaginative fall back position - lazy design - to just stick a few trees on a patch of grass and call it a park - especially in a city, the essence of which is, surely, that it is a man made antidote to the zillions of hectares of predictable wilderness that covers most of Canada.

 

[Ontarian1976]

IMO, the purpose of greenspace should be to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. If the greenspace (bicycle paths notwithstanding) is packed with people, I don't see the appeal of it at all. I could walk down Yonge or Bloor Streets if I want to see lots of people. I go to parks because (good ones) have an absence of crowds.

I think many think Toronto lacks greenspace because it is not as obvious as in other cities. Most visitors leave without even realize we have an extensive network of ravines.

 

[billonlogan]

There was some green space freed up last year on Logan Ave just north of Danforth. The local community fought hard to keep the space green instead of paved into a parking lot. I was rather disappointed over the weekend. The parkette is a mess, and used more for neighbourhood dogs to do their business. Its too bad when green space is made available, dog owners think its some kind of toilet and nobody in their right mind will bring their kids or have a picnic. I wonder what people would say now that the parkette is used excluively by local dog owners or was this ideal outcome from all that fuss.

 

[esplanade guy]

I'm not saying we don't need quite parks to relax and watch the world go by. My objection is that it's all we seem to get. Almost all new parks are a patch of grass, some trees and maybe a baseball diamond or other small sports venue. I just got back from Hong Kong and the parks there are FULL of people and attractions. Maybe Toronto could use just a few more animated parks that contain museums, fountains, theatres, skateboard parks, cafes, art, mazes, music venues, a flea market, interesting gardens, just something other then passive space. I'm sure with all the brilliant, creative minds here we could develop parks that are unique,creative and FUN! We have enough passive space parks as it is. There may be parts of Toronto that lack parkspace, so I understand putting green space there but the waterfront has green space practically all along it, from Etobicoke to Harbourfront. Toronto is full of parks in the central core. (I wouldn't know about the suburbs, as I escaped them years ago! lol) Why not put some money into a few destination parks (like Hong Kong Park) that has so many attractions and beautiful things to see? Damn, put some elements of desing into these parks, at least.
I think we need more public squares, like they have all over Europs, with art and culture. But if the ratepayer groups scream for more passive parks, the least they could do is use them once in a while!!!

 

[Archivistower]

esp, that makes more sense to me. I can agree with you in that we haven't been good at designing these types of active spaces. If I go to Hong Kong next year as planned I'll have to check out the parks there.

 

[building babel]

I share your sentiments, if not your grammar.

 

[Ed007Toronto]

One of my favourite parks.

www.bryantpark.org/

Wish that park that was built as part of Bay Adelaide was a bit more like it. As it stands it looks pretty rundown.

 

[andreapalladio]

I love Bryant Park, but I can't imagine the usual suspects here tolerating an 18th century style formal parterre where visitors are left to their own devices, and where no uses (shopping, skateboarding, whatever) are imposed by the park on them.

 

[building babel]

Meanwhile, back in the 21st century, I just took a lunchtime stroll around Harbourfront. HTO is coming along nicely, with what I assume to be the mounds of earth for the green "islands" now created. And quite a lot of work is happening on the east and west sides of John Quay, with street paving in place and neat rows of trees planted. There's what looks to be a start on the boardwalk at John Quay too.

 

[Archivistower]

babel, thanks. I didn't even know they were working on John Quay, I'm pleased to hear it. Can you tell if it is the same treatment that York Quay received?

 

[building babel]

It appears to be.

 

[shawnmicallef]

I got in an argument recently, but I can't remember with who, about the park next to 18 Yorkville. They complained about the hedges, and that you can't do anything in there. I said yes, that's good.

 

[building babel]

I agree. It takes the spirit of Age of Enlightenment formal gardens to hilarious extremes.

 

[andreapalladio]

There was a priest at Versailles who said of the gardens there that "one both admired and avoided them". I do not share his point of view.

 

[esplanade guy]

It's all about investing money and creativity. Toronto tries to do things as cheaply as possible, so a park for us is just grass, trees and a bench. Like we desperatly need more of the same, everywhere. Parks should have a distictive look, style, purpose but usually the cheapest design wins out. There are very few interesting, lively parks in Toronto, certainly nothing to compare to Hong Kong, New York or Paris. (not even close, we just have more of them)