Skating trail will disrupt natural space

June 24, 2008 11:59 AM
 
 
As a resident of Etobicoke/Lakeshore, I would like to add my voice to the list of those opposed to the skate trail in Colonel Samual Smith Park. Running a paved and refrigerated route through such a natural space will disrupt the flora and fauna that are situated there. Further, the addition of lights and music as has been suggested will further disrupt the animal life that make their homes in the park. In an urban area, we should be fostering the growth of native plants and wildlife, and not promoting developments that detract from them

Additionally, tree roots grow outwards approximately twice the height of the tree, mainly in the first two feet of soil depth; pouring concrete in this heavily treed area will be detrimental to tree health.

Finally, an active-use skating trail has no place in a passive use, naturalized park such as Colonel Sam Smith. This is not Gage Park, an urban, active-use environment surrounded on four sides by city streets, and it is misleading to compare the two sites.

Robert Mitchell

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