Will ‘park equity’ come to T.O.?
Is it a coincidence that the troubled sections of Black Creek — one of the most polluted and degraded watersheds in the city — run near lowerincome communities along parts of the Jane St. corridor, Weston Rd. and Black Creek Dr.?
Prof. L. Anders Sandberg, of York University’s faculty of environmental studies, can’t help but wonder if there’s a correlation between poverty and the poor condition of parts of Black Creek.
He’s been closely following the city of Toronto’s work toward developing a ravine strategy and worries that so far he hasn’t seen or heard any references to the notion of park equity. What’s park equity? In New York City this past spring, the subject of maintaining and managing green spaces and parks was top of mind as that city hosted its Parks without Borders summit.
The theme of “park equity” — the notion that a lack of access to green space can lead to physically and psychologically unfit communities — was a major topic of the gathering, where attendees included landscape architects, New York parks department staff, city health officials, environmentalists and business representatives.
The idea of park equity is touted by New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s parks department, where a key goal is ensuring all New Yorkers have ac- cess to green space. In 2014, the city launched its Community Parks Initiative, a $285-million (U.S.) capital program aimed at transforming 67 community parks that have historically seen underinvestment. In a bid to reduce inequities and also assess the demand, the capital program considers population growth, density and poverty levels of communities near these green spaces.
In Toronto, Sandberg got correspondence about the New York summit this spring and says he finds the theme of park equity compelling.
“I didn’t see that term in (Toronto’s draft) ravine strategy,” Sandberg says, contrasting Black Creek’s problem spots to the vast community efforts and financial resources that have gone into restoring the ravine in the Brick Works, near the fairly wellto-do Rosedale community.