Voting day is just a few weeks away — do you know who you’ll choose? What about the kind of city you want to live in?
We urge you to think about your green surroundings.
Ravines: In the GTA, they’re like long green fingers that reach up from Lake Ontario. The green ravines that cover 17 per cent of Toronto’s land mass are carved out of natural depressions with rivers and streams flowing through them. Toronto is a city within a park, after all.
The “Toronto Ravines Study: 1977 to 2017,” was produced by the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Forestry. It provides a framework for a ravine strategy for the Toronto, and Ontario, that would protect and enhance all 11,000 hectares (or 27,000 acres).
But its findings are not rosy — or as green as they should be: “... over the past 40 years the biodiversity and ecological health of Toronto’s ravines has declined to a critical level and is now likely on the edge of ecological collapse,” the report reads.
The text refers to invasive plant species that have taken control of wide swaths of Toronto ravines, the result of many years of neglect. Toronto’s native biodiversity, the study states, is fast disappearing.
It also provides some solutions and points to successful ventures in U.S. cities that have tackled similar situations, including New York City’s recent launch of its Natural Areas Conservancy, which provides an impressive model for Toronto. “For an area roughly half the size of the Toronto ravines, the NYC has budgeted $385 million over 25 years to fund a massive science-based program.”
How much should Toronto budget to reclaim the ravines and turn them into something that we can all be proud of?
Green Sights Report: Last year, TD Bank Group produced an insightful report called “Green Sights Report.” The study captured the mood and attitude that Canadians generally feel about their urban green spaces.
Based on 1,500 interviews with Canadian urban dwellers, 95 per cent of respondents agreed that “green spaces are an integral part of our identity.”
Six in 10 of people surveyed replied that they visit their local green spaces at least once a week.
When asked how public green space could be better, many said they would like to see common enhancements — like more public picnic areas, natural playgrounds and even solar lighting.
When you think of your favourite local park. How do you think it could improve? Be sure to share your feelings with your local municipal candidates in this last month of lead-up to the election.
Escapism: The top activities Canadians enjoy in their local green space are linked to escapism. According to the TD survey: 43 per cent say they relax on their own; 42 per cent want to connect with nature; and 41 per cent opt to relax with family and friends.
As the word suggests, it is our ability to get away from the things that cause us stress.
Where is your green space? An issue with many respondents is the proximity of green spaces to their work and home.
Of those polled for the study, 23 per cent said they value easy access to public transit and 15 per cent consider a walkable neighbourhood a priority.
We are reminded of real estate values around some of the most desirable green spaces in Toronto: High Park in the west end, the Music Garden on the waterfront and St. James Park near the St. Lawrence Market, to name just three, are highly desirable places to live and work. Real estate prices often reflect this.
Gardens for all: Based on the survey results, Canadians believe a diverse mix of groups should be taken into account when designing green space — 70 per cent said children should be considered, 57 per cent said seniors and 53 per cent said people with disabilities.
With this extra bit of information, take some time and think about which candidates will represent your interest in preserving and enhancing Toronto’s green spaces.
Mark and Ben Cullen are expert gardeners and contributors for the Star. Follow Mark on Twitter: @MarkCullen4