Mount Royal neighbours turn out to stop sale of public parkland
City proposing sale of greenspace to philanthropist Don Taylor
Hundreds of Mount Royal residents turned out to a meeting on Tuesday night to get more information about the proposed sale of public parkland to philanthropist Don Taylor.
- Philanthropist's bid to enlarge property stirs opposition
- Mount Royal residents try to block parkland sale to Don Taylor
The small sliver of greenspace provides a view of the city that resident Kathryne Foster says should remain open to the public.
"It's the equivalent of having space to look at the fireworks, collect as a community. I mean greenspace shouldn't be for sale."
Taylor already owns half an acre of adjacent land and wants to buy, or lease, the parkland which is about 2,000 square feet.
"There's a park next to the land and there's a lot of mischief goes on there at nighttime, and I don't particularly want it right up against my home," Taylor said. "I kind of thought I was enhancing the quality of Mount Royal. Apparently Mount Royal doesn't think so."
City deal
Taylor says he thought he already had a deal with the city dating back to 2006 when he chipped in to help build a retaining wall around the parkland on the condition he be allowed to buy it at a later date at market value.
"I'm trying to be a good citizen and sometimes it's pretty tough to be one," Taylor said.
Ward 8 Coun. Evan Woolley admits mistakes were made and that's why the city facilitated last night's meeting.
He said there will more meetings before any final decisions are made.