Needs of Morningside Heights not being served
As a local high school student and athlete, I am appalled by the city's lack of planning when constructing this community and its nonchalant approach to rectifying the lack of recreation space for both the community and the schools in the area.
I am even more appalled by what appears to be the blatant disregard for design guidelines by all involved in the building of the Morningside Heights community.
Chapter 303 of the City of Toronto's zoning code titled Parks Dedication (Residential) states that, "As a condition of all residential development or redevelopment, land in the amount not exceeding five percent of the land proposed for development or redevelopment shall be conveyed to the city for parks or recreational purposes."
The obvious question is, what happened to the five percent of land proposed for development that was set aside for recreational purposes?
Another government document, Toronto Urban Design Guidelines, states that one of the goals and guidelines for development is to "provide common open space such as children's playgrounds where appropriate."
I believe that it is more than appropriate to set aside park space for a neighborhood with more than 1,200 children.
The most disconcerting fact of this story is that city council has a solution to this problem right before its eyes, yet it are unwilling to act on it.
A portion of the 6.87-hectare parcel of land in the Morningside Heights community, which is owned by the city, would be a perfect place to build a community centre, but council voted 19-18 to keep the land vacant when it was purchased.
Council needs to reconsider its position on this issue for the good of the Morningside Heights community. The city sets aside millions of dollars every year to finance healthy and active living campaigns for youth. They are being unrealistic if they expect to combat childhood obesity and related complications if they deny an entire community such things as a track, a pool and a community centre.
Cara Thorne
