Theresa McManus, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A proposed pathway through Simcoe Park is a growing concern for the New Westminster Community Garden Society.
Paula Naylor, the society’s president, is among the founding members who built the community garden in Simcoe Park 17 years ago.
“We respectfully request that both the route and the width of the proposed multiuse path be reconsidered to preserve the existing community garden footprint and retain as much greenspace as possible in Simcoe Park,” she recently told city council.
Naylor said volunteers have spent years building the structures and perimeter beds in Simcoe Park. She said it’s “deeply upsetting” to hear that sections of these perimeter garden beds featuring mature, established plantings could be removed.
“It’s grown into a well-loved community space because of the garden,” she said. “We are simply asking that the path alignment be reconsidered so that the garden and its perimeter remain intact.”
The city is developing a master plan to guide the future design and development of Simcoe Park and Toronto Place Park. The plan will consider current park offerings (such as the sports field, tennis courts, the off-leash dog area and other amenities) and future recreation and community amenities.
Be Heard New West states a permanent multi-use pathway route is planned through Simcoe Park. While the detailed design will confirm the path layout, it’s proposed along the park perimeter to avoid conflicts between active transportation and other park uses.
Naylor said the proposed pathway is four metres wide, which is “unusually wide” for a park of Simcoe’s size.
“The two-way roadway where I live on Seventh Avenue is between 5.6 and 6 metres wide,” she said. “That means the path through Simcoe Park would only be about a metre-and-a-half narrower than a full two-lane street.”
THERESA MCMANUS/FRESHET NEWS Community members are urging city hall to protect the community gardens in Simcoe Park during a master planning process for the park. In addition to individual garden plots, the space has perimeter beds that have been built up over the past 17 years.
Naylor, a cyclist, said multiuse paths in larger parks, like Moody Park and Queen’s, are less than four metres wide.
“Applying a wider standard to a much smaller park does not align with the scale of the site or the needs of the neighbourhood,” she said.
Simcoe Park is located next to Fraser River Middle School. A new elementary school is being built between the middle school and Simcoe Park.
“I am convinced we can find a solution here,” said Mayor Patrick Johnstone. “We are obviously challenged on that site because there is going to be a new school on that site and we have to figure out new circulation patterns around it, but I think there is a solution there.”
Coun. Ruby Campbell said the master plan is currently at a very high level.
“Nothing has been finalized,” she said. “[Engineering] will connect with you.”
Coun. Daniel Fontaine said the proposed pathway is “like putting an I-5 equivalent” through Simcoe Park.
“While it has not been finalized, I can give you my assurance that I will not raise my hand for an inch being removed from that community park,” he told Naylor.
Coun. Jaimie McEvoy thinks it’s possible to have a nice pathway and community gardens in Simcoe Park.
“I think those kinds of problems are resolvable and don’t have to be pitted against each other,” he said.
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