Residents want to know why revitalization project left strip of parkland derelict

Some residents living near a park in the Kensington-Chinatown neighbourhood say the city dropped the ball on its ambitious three-year plan to upgrade the grounds, ignoring a derelict section that they say is ugly and unsafe.

The $1.1-million project was completed in August. It excluded a 10-metre-wide swath of land along the eastern side of Alexandra Park, which is located on the southeast corner of Bathurst and Dundas streets. 

"I'm disappointed that they haven't completed the work in this area to allow it to be really functional for the neighbourhood," said Eric Davies, who lives nearby and operates walking tours for the Friends of Alexandra Park. "This looks a bit like a rodent hotel."

The stretch of land Davies is referring to is a walkway abutting Ryerson Community School that has cracked paving stones, exposed wiring, no lighting and a rat infestation.

The Toronto District School Board wasn't consulted when the park rehab plans were being drawn up and it's unclear why, according to trustee Alexis Dawson, who represents the neighbourhood.

"There needs to be better communication. I think that's fair,"  Dawson told CBC Toronto.

Work to upgrade the 2.7-hectare green space, which also features an artificial ice rink and an outdoor pool, began in 2021. Both Davies and Dawson pointed out the improvements that were included in the project, such as new pickle-ball courts, benches, picnic tables, walking paths and playground facilities.

But Dawson said the rehabilitation plans were drawn up with too little input.

"You'd think that they would have talked to us about it," Dawson said. "I'm hopeful that we can rectify the situation." 

Like Davies, Dawson also expressed concern about the derelict eastern side of the park that abuts the school. He said he's worried "about the potential for injury, concerned about the lack of lighting, and also the unsanitary conditions around the rat infestation." 

Friends of Alexandra Park co-director Adam Wynne said he too was frustrated the entire park wasn't included in the refurbishment plan, despite his group's emails to city staff..

Wynne confirmed that his group did take part in the city's 2022 public consultation on the park's future. But he said staff should've done more follow-up to address his group's concerns about the park's derelict eastern edge.

He said his group "has received unclear responses from the City of Toronto as to whether these spaces will be revitalized," Wynne said in an email to CBC Toronto. Friends of Alexandra Park "shares the concerns that these spaces pose accessibility and safety hazards and encourages that improvements be made in a timely manner."

City staff said in a statement to CBC Toronto they normally consult widely with stakeholders before any upgrades are made to a public facility. Although they held a public meeting in March 2022, they're now trying to determine how some  voices were left out of that discussion, the statement says.

"We are currently investigating the scope of our public engagement in 2022 and also more immediately the safety issues that have been raised by the TDSB and the Friends of Alexandra Park. We will engage directly with the relevant parties on this matter," the statement says.

Dawson said she has been discussing her concerns with the local city councillor, Ausma Malik, and she's convinced the oversights will be addressed.

Malik said in an email that the problems will be fixed. 

"I understand the concerns being raised by Friends of Alexandra Park and the TDSB about communications and responsibility for outstanding improvements including pathways and lighting," Malik wrote, "and I am fully committed to working together with them and City staff to investigate and address them without delay."

Although city staff told CBC Toronto the neglected portion of the park will be upgraded, they haven't provided a timeline or a cost for the improvements.