FRIENDS OF COLONEL SAM SMITH
PARK (FOSS) QUESTIONNAIRE
Completed by:
Peggy Moulder
Candidate for Ward 6
What concrete steps would
you take to ensure the preservation and protection of the naturalized areas of
Sam Smith Park?
It is noted the City is
proposing that a large portion of Colonel Sam Smith Park be designated an
Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) under Section 3.4 – The Natural
Environment – Policy 13, and that four public meetings will be held on this
proposed amendment to the Official Plan – Map 12 – in November 2014. Notice
will be published in newspapers, and most of the Toronto population will be
unaware of this important issue or the meetings.
A major component of my
platform is the formation of Community Districts and Community Boards, to be
the major information hubs for neighbourhoods within each District, and to hold
the public meetings on all issues, which are then voted on by the Community
Boards, minutes prepared and distributed to the relevant City departments,
staff and Community/City Councils to form part of the public record. Instead of
four meetings, the matter would be reviewed by approximately 23 Community
Districts, with boundaries to coincide with the Provincial Riding boundaries.
This Official Plan ESA
designation for Colonel Sam Smith Park is an important step; but it is only by
creating an opportunity for all residents to be engaged, informed and in turn
provide knowledge and input, can we be vigilant and take the best possible care
going forward of our natural environment and features like Colonel Sam Smith
Park.
Do you believe it is
appropriate to allow a single group such as the Aussie Rules Football Club to
have exclusive use of a portion of a tax-payer funded park? What are your views
regarding further expansion of this club’s “footprint” in the park?
Unfortunately, I am not
informed on the Etobicoke RFC or its exclusive use contract. It is my
understanding that they practice on grounds at Ken Cox Community Centre (as
part of City Parks, Forestry & Recreation) at Colonel Sam Smith Park. Until
I learn more (the devil is always in the details), I could not provide an
informed opinion. However, if the community is in agreement about the
designated boundaries of the environmentally significant area (ESA) of the
Park, then no sports club should be allowed to impact this area of the Park.
Would you support a
comprehensive system of greenways and trails connecting parks, particularly
those along the waterfront, as outlined in the city’s Official Plan? How would
you accomplish this?
Yes.
For instance, in Mimico the City could purchase approximately 4 acres of Open
Space at a cost of $4 million or less, to acquire additional waterfront
parkland and connect Superior Park with Amos Waites Park. This is the last
available open space on the Mimico waterfront; however, the City prefers to sell-off Superior Park,
and build more high-rise condos on this parkland and on the available open
space instead. Creating narrow waterfront trails is not sufficient for our
neighbourhood and City populations. Waterfront trails have to be wide enough
for people walking and running, cycling; for rollerblades, wheelchairs, baby
prams, dogs on leashes; benches, trees and plants; all at the same time, but on
different paths and areas on the waterfront trail.
Paul Bedford
recommended the creation of New York style Community Districts and Community
Boards to “Break
the city down into bite sized pieces that people can relate to, and unleashing
the potential of all Torontonians, citizens and non-citizens alike, bringing
them into the city hall governance tent.” The ideas as to how to connect our system of greenways
throughout the City exist within the minds of residents and in reviewing what
has been done in other jurisdictions. There simply needs to be a public forum
where these ideas can be suggested, discussed, reviewed with City Staff, voted
on and then passed on to City Council for implementation. This forum would be
the Community Boards within Community Districts created by legislation under
the Toronto Municipal Code. Draft legislation is found on my website:
www.peggymouldercampaign2014.com
What do
you envision as the future for public accessibility to the Power House at Sam
Smith Park?
The Power
House Recreation Centre has been developed to provide an outdoor recreational
facility. It is also described as being in a “secluded natural sanctuary of
wooded areas, meadows, long grasses and trails near the mouth of the Humber
River along Toronto’s western lakefront.” Presumably, it is located outside of
the proposed ESA. So, it should continue to provide recreational activities for
the public; however, these activities should not negatively impact on the
nearby ESA.
How will
you vote regarding any future attempt to expand commercial air service at Billy
Bishop Airport? Will your decision take into consideration the preservation of
Sam Smith Park as an Environmentally Significant Area (ESA)?
I do not
support any expansion of the Billy Bishop Airport for jet services, and would
include all the points raised by FOSS about the negative impacts on the natural
environment at Colonel Sam Smith Park, and points raised by other entities,
including NoJetsTo, who have provided reasonable objections to the expansion of
the airport.
How would
you deal with the “dogs off leash” problem in Sam Smith Park?
I believe that
FOSS has dealt very competently with the “dogs off leash” problem in Sam Smith
Park, with “smart” signs for the public and dog owners, which the City will
likely replicate for other parks, and suggestions to make the fenced off-leash
area more amenable for dog owners to use. It is noted that there is even a
Colonel Sam Smith Dog Owner’s Association – “A group of dog lovers and dog
owners who want to make South Etobicoke and especially Colonel Sam Smith a
better place for all, including our canine friends.” It’s great to see
neighbours working together to find practical solutions to problems!
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