Restoring St. James Park may cost up to $60K: councillor
Posted December 1, 2011 12:59 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The cost to restore the grounds of St. James Park after Occupy Toronto protesters camped there for a month could be as much as $60,000, the head of the parks and environment committee says.
Coun. Norm Kelly said in a release Thursday that the cost could be $20,000 to $60,000 depending on whether the city decides to seed or sod the park.
“If seeding were chosen, it would take eight-10 weeks for the lawn to be restored. Sodding would reduce the time to approximately four weeks,” he said. “Either way, large sections of the park would have to be fenced to protect the growing grass.”
Occupy Toronto protesters were evicted from the downtown park on Nov. 23 after a court challenge ruled in favour of the city, which imposed its trespass bylaw.
Kelly said that city staff will be working with Coun. Pam O’Connell and interested groups in the neighbourhood to reduce the impact of the remediation process on the enjoyment of the park.
Furthermore, individuals who would like to make a donation to help restore the park may make a payment online or by cheque to Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation, 157 Adelaide St. W., Suite 123, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 4E7.
