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Westfort residents standing up for neighbourhood greenspaces

The potential sale and development of open greenspace property along two Westfort crescents concerns residents.
Holly Crescent greenspace
Holly Crescent residents are disheartened the city could be starting a process to potentially sell an open greenspace they say has been a key part of the neighbourhood for decades. (Matt Vis, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY – Residents along two south side crescents are dismayed the city is looking at selling open greenspace lots they say have been neighbourhood fixtures dating back more than 50 years.

The city has informed residents on both Holly and Thistle crescents with signs posted on the properties and notice being mailed out the lands are intended to be declared surplus, potentially paving the way for future sale and residential development.

Brooklyn Wilson, who lives on Holly Crescent and is a student at the nearby Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute, said the property is used by residents for recreation and social gatherings.

“It’s really well used in our community. People have dogs and kids. Families like to come out here,” Wilson said. “We were shocked and disheartened such a beautiful greenspace that’s just so natural and is such a big part in our community could be taken away.”

Bill Venturini, who has lived on Holly Crescent for nearly 50 years, said the space has played a large role in bringing the neighbourhood together.

There used to be a time when the city would have an outdoor rink on the lot, he added.

“We all know one another. Our kids grew up knowing one another,” Venturini said. “People walk their dogs and everything every day. It’s a nice little thing within a fairly large city just to have that.”

Venturini said it was his understanding the cost of the lot was included in the purchase of the surrounding properties when he bought his house decades ago.

Cory Halvorsen, the city’s manager of parks and open spaces, said the lots in question are parks lands that have not been developed and identified as surplus with each property to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

“We do understand residents in the immediate area will have been making use of the land but when we’re looking at it from a surplus land use perspective we’re looking at the value of a land as a developed lot as well,” Halvorsen said.

“These lands essentially were lots that weren’t developed. They were handed over as greenspace so they can easily be converted into a developed residential lot and provide significant value to the city in that way.”

Halvorsen could not say how many other similar properties the city is looking at declaring as surplus.

The lots have limited potential, he added.

“Typically we’d be looking for spaces that could be developed more fully. These small greenspaces, you typically can’t put anything on them and that’s all they’re going to be, is a greenspace,” Halvorsen said. “When we’re looking at removing one we’re looking for park areas nearby that have playgrounds that are developed in an accessible way.”

Wilson said a petition has been created and there have been efforts to speak with Westfort Coun. Joe Virdiramo.

The signs posted on the property invite the public to share their opinion with the city’s realty services division until June 9.



About the Author: Matt Vis

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