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March 9, 2006
Locals ramped up over skateboard park
By ROB GRANATSTEIN
Toronto Sun
Fury over a proposed skateboard park in Etobicoke will roll into City Hall today.
The city favours putting the $500,000 skateboard park in Col. Samuel Smith Park, near the waterfront, an under-construction high school and a campus of Humber College.
But some local residents are angry the park they worked for 20 years to turn from a former hospital campus into a passive and naturalized area will lose another quiet spot.
"I'm not opposed to skateboarding," said Ruth Grier, a resident and former NDP environment minister. "But this is adjacent to a wetland in a heritage park."
Grier fears the next step will be lights and fencing. She's also upset with the process, saying there's been no intelligent consultation around the proposal.
But both city staff and local Councillor Mark Grimes said there has been a lot of community input, and Col. Samuel Smith is the best site for the skateboard park.
"This park was sacred ground to a lot of people down there, but the kids have to have a place to play," Grimes said. "The parks are for kids, too, not just birdwatchers."
The skateboard park would be close to parking, the TTC, washrooms and away from any residential areas. There is also a proposal for a winter skating loop.
A decision on the park is expected this month and, if it passes, construction could start mid-summer.
Locals ramped up over skateboard park
By ROB GRANATSTEIN
Toronto Sun
Fury over a proposed skateboard park in Etobicoke will roll into City Hall today.
The city favours putting the $500,000 skateboard park in Col. Samuel Smith Park, near the waterfront, an under-construction high school and a campus of Humber College.
But some local residents are angry the park they worked for 20 years to turn from a former hospital campus into a passive and naturalized area will lose another quiet spot.
"I'm not opposed to skateboarding," said Ruth Grier, a resident and former NDP environment minister. "But this is adjacent to a wetland in a heritage park."
Grier fears the next step will be lights and fencing. She's also upset with the process, saying there's been no intelligent consultation around the proposal.
But both city staff and local Councillor Mark Grimes said there has been a lot of community input, and Col. Samuel Smith is the best site for the skateboard park.
"This park was sacred ground to a lot of people down there, but the kids have to have a place to play," Grimes said. "The parks are for kids, too, not just birdwatchers."
The skateboard park would be close to parking, the TTC, washrooms and away from any residential areas. There is also a proposal for a winter skating loop.
A decision on the park is expected this month and, if it passes, construction could start mid-summer.