THUNDER BAY — Council is giving Woodside Parkette advocates two years to implement their plan to activate the green space.
City administration recommended the sale of the parkette to council on Monday, but after hearing from two Red River Ward residents council opted to defer a decision until 2027.
“I've lived in the neighbourhood for all my life. I grew up in the neighbourhood. I bought a house in the neighbourhood. I'm not gonna lie. I bought the house I bought because there's a green space. I live right on the side of it. Under no realm did I figure you guys would choose to sell it because it was parkland, it was green space,” said Patrick Slavinski.
“It's not only for kids or young kids, it's for adults. It's for teenagers. It's for everyone,” said another parkette neighbour, Kevin Green.
Green argued that Woodside Parkette is not an infill lot, but a desired and active space where residents host game nights and children’s activities.
Green showed council a plan to implement cost-effective enhancements that would add seating and gathering areas, walkways, planter boxes, trees and an open play area.
Green also said the area has seen a number of new families moving in.
“We want to keep this green space, to keep this community growing the way it is. A lot of young families are coming there with their kids. There have been lots of houses for sale in our neighbourhood, and they've been filling with young families,” said Green.
Green said he had multiple conversations with Red River Ward coun. Michael Zussino regarding the residents' plan to ensure the Woodside Parkette stays a green space.
Zussino asked how long the residents would need to implement their plan.
Green said that most of the work to transform the green space would be landscaping.
“We're not building equipment. We're not putting up structures that need to be insured,” said Green.
“It's just some garden boxes, some benches, some pathways, and a seating area for the people.”
He said it would take very little money from the city coffers.
Green’s best estimate was two years until completion.
“We've asked the residents to come up with a plan. They've done the plan. Give them a chance to implement the plan and see how it goes in terms of implementation and usage,” said Zussino.
“I've gone there. I've seen that it's actually brought this neighbourhood really close together in terms of utilization. They've made a concerted effort to do so, and they followed through here. This wasn't just words, it's actions. So I'd like to see them have a little more time to have a little more action.”
Zussino motioned to defer the sale of Woodside Parkette for two years to allow the residents a chance to save their green space.
The motion was carried with 10 votes in favour. Couns. Brian Hamilton and Mark Bentz voted against the deferal, and Mayor Ken Boshcoff was absent.
It's the second time in the past year that residents have managed to keep the Woodside Parkette off the market. A decision on Woodside Parkette was deferred once before when council discussed surplus lands in June, ultimately deciding to sell several other parkettes as infill lots to create more housing.
