The hydro corridor north of Dupont Street between Geary Avenue in Ward 17 has become a dumping ground, according to the Davenport Neighbourhood Association.

“A lot of it is industrial land,” said spokesperson Mary Castel, “which attracts construction waste.”However, the area is a mix of both residential homes and industrial buildings and community members are looking for help cleaning it up and re-purposing it, along with their neighbourhood’s other green spaces.

Public spaces, but parks in particular, are also a crucial issue for the Carleton Village Residents Association. The group is in the midst of working on a proposal for a pathway in Earlscourt Park at Lansdowne Avenue and Davenport Road. The pathway would provide access into the park from its south side, said Chair Claude Bergeron.

“There’s no easy access to the park on that side,” said Bergeron. “This is important because people live on that side.”

Plus, he says, it’s not a park that’s easy to walk through when it’s wet.

“You can’t push a baby carriage in that park,” said Bergeron, who voiced his concern for elderly citizens and their ability to safely make their way through the park.

And so, as the municipal election fast approaches on Oct. 25, The Villager asked candidates for councillor in Ward 17, if elected, what would they do to ensure that local parks and public spaces get the attention and improvement area residents are looking for. Those who responded agreed that the state of the ward’s public spaces was a top priority.

Brian Bragason prides himself in saying he is the only candidate who would dedicate his entire $53,000 councillor’s expense account to fund community green initiatives, with emphasis on improving local parks.

“So, literally I am the only candidate who can absolutely guarantee improvements. Personally, I would like to see more perennial gardens in our parks, but it is really all about what the community wants – it’s taxpayer money after all,” said Bragason, who added he’d welcome suggestions from the community.

A centrepiece of Bragason’s platform is to create a green piazza at the north east corner of Northcliffe Boulevard and St. Clair Avenue similar to the perennial garden at St. James Gardens at King and Jarvis streets, just north of St. Lawrence Market.

“It would give St. Clair a focal point,” said Bragason.

Tony Letra agreed that green spaces need to be preserved and maintained.

“You have to do everything you can to improve green spaces,” he said. “In my view, Earlscourt Park – it’s not clean enough.”

As is the case with a strip on the west side of Caledonia Park, added Letra. He ensured that if elected, parks would be a priority of his.

Maria Marques said she is aware that residents complain that there isn’t enough green space and recreational facilities for youth.

“I would ensure that all green space is turned into parkettes with play areas for children, tables and benches for senior citizens to sit and gather, with plenty of flowers and trees and a water fountain,” she said.

And, they would be properly maintained – the grass cut, the leaves raked and the garbage picked-up year round, Marques assured.

It so happens that incumbent Cesar Palacio’s most recent project has been attempting to acquire the remaining 10 per cent of the hydro lands across Ward 17 to complete the green belt along the hydro corridor with additional playgrounds and green recreational space, including bicycle and walking paths, said a campaign spokesperson, Suzana Fernandes, who responded for Palacio.

With strong community support, Palacio was able to convince city council to purchase Roseneath Gardens Parkette, land at the north end of the No Frills site on Glenhurst Avenue where it meets Roseneath Gardens.

“Not only was the land bought for a fraction of the original cost, but Cesar’s efforts ensured a long-term investment for the local community,” said Fernandes.

She also said Palacio was instrumental in improvements made to Earlscourt park. It now features a state-of-the-art soccer field, which will be completed with new bleachers. It will also have a volleyball court to be completed within the next month. There will be a new off-leash area implemented to create a new amenity for dog owners.

Major funding for improvements have also been allocated for the amphitheatre area of the park, Fernandes said.

“Cesar has also been able to secure major funds to refurbish the outdoor swimming pool within the Earlscourt park,” said Fernandes.
Improving green spaces within Ward 17 is part of Jonah Schein’s election platform. It is an extension of his work with low-income families.

“Not all of us can get out to Muskoka for the weekend,” said Schein, pointing out that Davenport has the least amount of green space of all the wards in the city.

Schein recognized that the hydro corridor, west of Ossington Avenue, has become a dumping ground.

“People throw their trash there, the grass isn’t cut, there’s no lighting,” he said. “Where we do have green spaces, there’s an opportunity to do something.”

Schein agreed with Bergeron that the south end of Earlscourt Park is difficult to access and that it gets flooded in the spring.

“Dufferin Grove Park is an amazing example of what we could do in Earlscourt Park,” said Schein.

He would support community groups to bring the park to life with new lighting, a pathway and making sure the community centre is a hub for the neighbourhood.

“There’s so much possibility,” he said.

Parks, added Schein, are as much for seniors as they are for young people.

Also running in Ward 17 are Ben Stirpe, who did not respond to The Villager’s questions, and Kar Rasaiah, who reporters were unable to reach prior to deadline.

- Lisa Rainford

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