Conservation Authority saves park.
Resident Michael Bielecki (left) is joined by Etobicoke Centre Councillor Doug Holyday, Etobicoke Centre MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj and Brian Denney, CAO of Toronto and Region Conservation Authority July 13 to celebrate the $3-million sale of Heathercrest Park by the Toronto public school board to the TRCA.
Staff photo/TAMARA SHEPHARD
Its 'swale' saved Heathercrest Park.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) has acquired the two-hectare central Etobicoke park for $3 million from a city water fund dedicated to protect lands that drain into the city's water system.
The purchase quells a firestorm of community opposition ignited last November when the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) announced it owned the city-signed Heathercrest Park, and it was surplus to its needs and up for sale.
Neighbours feared residential development on the environmentally significant Martin Grove-Rathburn roads park.
Heathercrest Park boasts a mature, mostly oak forest connected to the Mimico Creek watershed, and a small "swale" - a low marshy strip - that feeds into Mimico Creek - both of intrinsic interest to TRCA.
"On Mimico Creek, we have less than three per cent of watershed left with any natural cover at all. That's why the woodlot is so valuable to us," Brian Denney, TRCA's CAO told about 100 area residents gathered at the park Tuesday night, July 13, to hear news of the sale.
"I hope this is the start of something, not the end of something. We want to strengthen the connection to the main valley."
One of TRCA's critical goals is to increase biodiversity in Toronto. "Many songbird populations are crashing," Denney said.
TRCA finalized the deal Monday with Toronto Lands Corporation, the board's surplus property subsidiary.
"Supportive and reasonable" is how Denney characterized negotiations with the board.
Local TDSB trustee John Campbell expressed enthusiasm at the sale.
"I know the constituents will be very happy. As the trustee, I'm happy," Campbell said Tuesday in an interview. "(The sale) is putting money into schools that badly need it. It goes toward the board's multi-million dollar capital plan to build improved schools for kids. It's an excellent outcome for all concerned."
Campbell defended the board's sale of the land.
"Residents directed their anger at the school board because they felt the school board was rushing into a sale. It was anything but that," Campbell said. "The school board took the time and showed patient understanding and commitment to the community. We're grateful the TRCA came up with the money."
A year ago, TDSB declared Heathercrest Park, and 15 other properties, surplus to its needs and its "only opportunity" to generate desperately needed capital, board facility head Sheila Penny said at a public meeting last November.
Annual Ministry of Education funding of $40 million makes little dent in the board's $2-billion backlog in needed renewals of its schools, she said.
Heathercrest Park features a $45,000 mostly community funded playscape, swing set, 35 city-planted trees, two gardens, benches and picnic tables.
"I'm just so elated it all came together," said resident Brian Yawney, one of the principal community advocates. "It shows if you work collegially with agencies you get things done. I can't commend TRCA enough."
Last fall, Michael Bielecki led the community fight to save the park.
Mobilized, residents launched a petition, formed Heathercrest Community Green Committee, and posted a Facebook page and YouTube video online.
"Mother Nature was on our side," Michael Bielecki said again this week.
In April, Bielecki earned an Urban Hero Award nomination in the environment category for his commitment to save Heathercrest Park from Toronto Community News, publisher of The Etobicoke Guardian.
No fewer than 50 residents met last November with their local Etobicoke Centre Councillor Doug Holyday.
Soon after, Holyday presented two options - swap the park for city-owned land or have the board enter a formal lease agreement with the city.
In the end, it was TRCA that preserved the park for future generations.
"I guess it restored my faith. I do believe in miracles," Holyday told residents at the park.
Holyday said he had doubts the park could be saved with city funds. City parks funds could not apply since the neighbourhood is not parkland deficient.
"This is one of the most unusual things I've seen happen in politics," Holyday, a 30-plus year councillor said. "I never, ever realized it wasn't a park. But it all worked out. Now it will be a park forever and forever."
Holyday commended residents.
"Without the neighbourhood behind it, I don't think this would have happened."