Description
Supposedly this park was designed by a famous landscaper but I can't believe that this is what she intended.
We have two names for it.
Kitty Litter Park and/or Puppy Poop Park,
There is no grass only a finely ground stone just like kitty litter that gets into any sandal or open shoe.
The large flat polished top boulders that are supposed to act as benches
are permanently stained with dog urine so much so that you do not want to sit on them.
There is dog poop all over the place you have to be careful where you walk.
The trees are doing poorly and are obviously stressed.
A few are not going to make it.
They are plane trees which when healthy will keep their leaves most of winter. They are also huge and when full grown will crowed each other out so many have been planted.
You could see that a lot of the new growth was dying this summer, a desperate attempt to save themselves.
Last year I noticed how poorly they were doing and I spoke to someone working at a large junction box asking if the trees were watered. I forget the conversation but I noticed that directly after that the trees started to put out all kinds of new growth appeared which most of which has been lost.
I think that the watering system was turned on,
I don't think that they have recovered from that because they keep losing new growth and are very sparse and scraggly looking.
Plane treesare large densely bushed trees not tall scraggly things with hardly any new growth.
The worst thing is in this heat when you entered the SW Homewood corner the stench of dog urine was unbearably strong.
I never feel good about walking into my apartment after walking through there.
You just feel dirty and I have had people tell me that they have special shoes they just wear there.
This park was supposed to be dedicated to the nurses and doctors of Wellesly Hospital
They would have a bird at the filled cat box aspect.
There are no flowers just a few ratty bushes around the fringe. a couple of steel benches and garbage pails on the Homewood side.
Several people want to turn it into a dog park but it is practically there already.
With no controls!
Instead of being a quiet restful place of dignity and inner city peace it is more like a revolting dog run. Uglly, filthy, stinky and unsafe.
Can anything be done to make this a park that two legged creatures can enjoy?
Maybe a portion could be for dogs? How about grass, flowers?
6 Comments
Closed Larry Van Dyk (Registered User)
My condo looks out over this litter box and I'm happy with it. I've walked thru this park many times and have never seen dog poop or smelled urine. Just happy dogs playing.
Reopened Paula Price (Guest)
Maybe you have a dog? Maybe you don't. Maybe you need to look around your self better.
Can you not see that the seating boulders are permanently stained with dog urine? This appeals to you?
Can you not see that the Plane trees are suffering and dying? One is falling over.
Somewhere online is a recipe to decorate a cake to look like a used litter box sound like it might just appeal to you!.
Some of us like beauty, some of us have no interest in anything except their own conveniences.
If you are happy with this dismal ratty grey dirty pathetic excuse for a park then I just feel sorry for you.
I also know of some land in Florida for sale cheap.
Paula Price
Larry Van Dyk (Registered User)
That litter box that you rant about was designed by CORNELIA HAHN OBERLANDER OC FASLA FCSLA LMBCSLA
A leader in the profession, her work with preeminent architects throughout Canada and the United States, has provided sustainable solutions for private gardens and public spaces.
Recognized as a national treasure in Canada, Cornelia Hahn Oberlander has been creating innovative landscapes for more than sixty years.
If your issue is neglectful dog owners not picking up poop then that's an issue. Don't degrade our park in doing so. Those dog owners would be just as careless if the park had golf course grade grass.
This park is a suitable answer to todays urban challenges. Grass, while beautiful and my preferred choice, needs care. Toronto has no funds for upkeep thanks to Mr Miller. Nor does it have the tools needed to care for the grass thanks to Mr McGinty banning the sale and or use of pesticides to control weeds and insects.
In future you can expect to see more kitty litter or asphalt in our parks. The alternative..... sell the land and put a condo on it.
Oh, and yes, one of the trees is bent. Blame hurricane Sandy for that.
Paula Price (Guest)
I think that the park has been degraded from her vision.
I like minimalist and serene.
I suggest that you look up Plane trees in a book somewhere.
They are large and thickly leaved
These trees are stressed and suffering and not doing at all well.
They leaf out sparsly and new growth falters and dies, normally they keep their leaves practically all winter.
These trees are struggling . One tree falling over out of many is not a result of Sandy (there would be more) it is the result of a weakened root structure, a dying tree.
The boulder seats while aesthetic are impractical.
I think that the urine stains are unacceptably disrespectful and they are often floating with urine from the larger dogs.
Ms. Oberlander is not all seeing. Even the greatest of the great err.
Consider the avacado pit.
Please don't shout it is rude.
Ms Oberlander is obviously a wonderful person and I apologize if you feel personally that I am making an attack on her august person, or her many considerable attributes and contributions to society.
I am telling the truth.
A lovely memorial park has been turned into a dirty sad little dog park.
I would call That a degradation.
I wonder what Ms Oberlander might feel about it.
I also wonder what Public Health might have to say about the bacteria count in the ground.
We are supposed to work with what we have and fix the flaws not nail them to an excess of esteem.
Nobody and nothing is perfect but we all have the right to try to make things better despite the failings of human nature, and politicians.
Thank You
Paula Price
Guest (Guest)
Good Afternoon,
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Closed Larry Van Dyk (Guest)