Flotsam

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Things may be changing":

Lesson to be learned for the future: If the neighbourhood needs a park why wasn't that part of the plan at the start for what the town & the developer would provide for the area. It will be either a school or a park - end of story. If a school goes in there is still grass, fields and a play area as it is needed for the school children. But having it left open that if more development could still occur this was simply misleading everyone in the first place or at least hiding that fact. Everyone has cookie cutter houses - the largest house on whatever sized lot with minimal backyards the size of a matchbox. And then the kids will be either playing on the streets, going a dozen blocks to another park or sitting at home on video games. 
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There's only one thing that could make you think  no planning goes into a subdivision before it's built.

It can take  a decade to get a plan on the ground.

We have engineers that examine grades.

Consultants reviewing a master recreation  plan  every five years.

We have Arborists. Landscapers.  Horticulturist , Forestry experts. And if we don't have we cin git it

Section 4.6 , page 34 of  the MasterRecreation plan deals with Outdoor  Recreation facilities .

It says; playgrounds should be considered  in newly developing or existing residential areas that offer access unobstructed by major barriers within an 800 metre radius.

There's a map on the same page showing the block under discussion has no gaps in  that requirement.
Unlike nearby neighborhoods which have several gaps.

I discovered  something else to-day. The Public School Board purchased the  high school in this block and had government approval for a new  high school to replace the current high school on Dunning Ave.

They chickened out in the face of pressure  organized by the former Mayor and other known characters and persons of interest.

They can sell it and make millions. It would serve our purpose beautifully for a community park It's the last site not slated for development

It sits idle and vacant.

They will not allow permit public use of land purchased with public funds.

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I had a phone call yesterday from a supporter. She urged me to support a more restrictive tree bylaw. She was in a hurry, so I barely got a word in edgewise.

A neighboring home had been sold.

The new owners promptly cut down four huge maples at the rear of the lot. Transformed  her view completely.

Nobody should be allowed to cut down a single tree  that size without a permit. she avowed. They don't allow it in Toronto.

They come from Woodbridge and they want to grow a vegetable garden, she said.

When I finally got to talk I said I hate the  tree bylaw. I think government intrudes  far too much into our lives.

A person who wants to grow  a vegetable garden loves nature as much as any tree hugger. And There's always a chance you'll get a share of  fresh fruit and vegetables because everything ripens at the same time.

A vegetable garden will not grow in the root space of mature trees and if some of it did, it will not ripen in the shade.

It especially chills my bones to think of someone like  Councillor Wendy Gaertner , whose main pre-occupation  seems to be how high can she can make the fine? Is $100,000 as high as we can go.

And the answer is "NO"

Councillor Gaertner is a vote to take away our liberty at any and every opportunity .