From physical health and climate-saving effects, to being a ‘lifeline’ for renters, advocates say politicians need to focus on green space before it’s too late.
Armed with orange hard hats, white coats and red noses, a pair of unusual consultants headed out two summers ago to ask residents what they wanted out of a neglected Etobicoke thoroughfare ringed by apartment towers.
And they say the trend will likely worsen, given new provincial housing legislation that strips parks of some of their traditional funding, and the fact that, on the cusp of a mayoral election, disappearing green space is not at the top of politicians’ to-do lists.Natalie Brown, director of programs with Park People, a non-profit that advocates for parkland, said for tenants in highrise and apartment buildings, and anyone who doesn’t have access to a private backyard, “city parks are a lifeline.
Wang cautioned the results of development can sometimes be temporarily. For example, if an agricultural area has been cleared to make way for a subdivision, for the first few years it’s going to be grey, but after trees have been planted and grass is growing, it might change to green. And according to Park People that use continues to be higher than pre-pandemic levels. A 2022 report from the organization found that the majority of residents reported that they’d spent more time in parks over the last year than in the previous year, slightly down from the 66 per cent in 2021, but almost 60 per cent said they’d like to spend more time in parks.
“Even though we know it’s homeowners who have the access to the private green space, we’re often designing public spaces with them in mind,” she added. To that end, MABELLEarts, with funding from the City of Toronto section 37 money , the federal government, and corporate donors including Pearson Airport, have been working on Mabelle Park since 2007 — adding greenery, yearly Ramadan celebrations and employment initiatives.
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