- Property at the northwest corner of Shaw Street and Dundas Street.
- Photo: © Liz Forsberg
This property is Bellwoods Park House, which is owned by a not-for-profit organization that provides support services and independent living opportunities for people with physical disabilities. The building at the north end of the property includes 32 fully accessible rent-geared-to-income apartments. Well-treed grounds of mowed grass and flowerbeds fronted this building until 2006 when construction began on a new apartment building that will face Dundas Street. A portion of the large expanse of green space is to be lost as a result, and several of the trees had to be cut down.
On first blush, it is easy to deride this as another example of bad development stamping out the last remnants of green in the city. But the new building will be home to another 31 fully accessible apartments where people with physical disabilities will be provided the services necessary to live a healthy life integrated into the community.
While trees were lost, many others were saved, such as the three honey locusts (Gleditisia triacanthos) at the south east corner of the property and the row of Schwedler Norway maples (Acer platanoides "Schwedler") lining the west side of Shaw Street. Fencing has been erected around the trees to keep construction equipment back from their branches and off their delicate roots, which will be easily damaged if the soil is disturbed. These trees would likely have been cut down as well if not for the City's Private Tree Bylaw, which protects trees over 30 cm diameter on private property from being removed without permission.
Another positive component of the project is that an open tract of land crossing the property between the two buildings has been provided an easement, meaning that it will become an open green space with trees and landscaping that is publicly accessible during daylight hours. The easement follows the route of the buried Garrison creek and creates a natural linkage between Roxton Parkette to the northwest and Trinity Bellwoods Park to the southeast. With Toronto's ever-growing population, development is inevitable. This project demonstrates that with thoughtful planning, density can be increased while also respecting existing natural features.
- Next stop: Buried over past
- Previous stop: The saddest tree
- Return to map of: Trinity Bellwoods
Funding for the program is generously provided by:
