Lina's+Public+Space+project

Belt Line
// Focusing my attention on Belt Line and looking at Toronto's past I'd like to explore how the city has been developed and has preserved the green space. The Belt Line railway ran only two years in 1892-94 and was transformed to recreational linear park in 1990. What were economic, social and environmental issues in the past and what remains relevant for today? Also, I'd like to define h // ow the park is flourishing as lively public space.
 * Research statement**

It is always good to look at past, because "many of the issues we face in cities in Canada today are the result of previous generations of planners and policy-makers" [|1]. According to TRHA historian Derek Boles "in 1889, a group of businessmen formed the Toronto Belt Land Corporation to develop large parcels of land north and west of the city into new residential neighbourhoods that were located beyond the reach of the city's streetcar lines. The developers proposed to link these suburbs to downtown Toronto with a new Belt Line steam railway that would encircle the entire city" 2. The project was to build two separate loops: one north of the city (from Union via Don Valley and Eglinton St.) and one to the west (near Caledonia Av.). By proving commuter rail the corporation sought to generate and exploit a real estate boom in North Toronto. The Belt Line was completed in 1892 (75 years before GO Transit) and service began with six trains a day on each loop. Thousands of middle class Torontonians enjoyed the traveling. However, "the novelty soon wore off" 2. The 1893 depression and the increased 25-cent fare (about $5 in today's money) not generated enough traffic to sustain the operation. Meanwhile the Toronto's real estate boom ended, and after only 28 months the passenger service was suspended in 1894. In the decades Toronto economic conditions has improved and the northwest neighbourhoods of Moore Park, Deer Park and Forest Hill became Toronto's most desirable regions. Because these new neighbourhoods required fuel and building supplies the Toronto Belt Land Corporation rebuilt the Yonge St. loop for freight service in 1910. In 1943 Canadian National Railway bought the Belt Line. The part of tracks on rail line was pulled up due to a shortage of iron during the World War I. In the 1950s some remaining tracks were used by Toronto Suburban Railway. The city's neighbourhoods grew and required a development of new roads. When the Allen Rd. was opened in the 1970s, the trains stopped operating. The land was valuable and CNR tried to sell it for housing. But a local citizen Esther Carin persuaded city council to turn the Belt Line section (east of the Allen Rd) into a walking trail. By some sources, the land was purchased by the city in 1972 and the conversion to a recreational path began. A city councillor Kay Gardner was the driving force to convert Belt Line lands to a 4.5-kilometre long linear park. "Since then the City Parks and Recreation Division has enhanced it and nurtured the regeneration of its natural environment, while preserving a record of Toronto's late nineteenth century industrial and residential landscape" 3. Being a part of "Discovery Walk" system Belt Line trail connects with Toronto's Don River Valley, Moore and St. Clair Ravines. Linking with neighbourhood parks and open spaces the tree-lined trail provides a natural corridor for wildlife movement across the city. In 2000 t he trail was renamed the Kay Gardner Belt Line Park in recognition of councilor's work to the community. Nowadays the trail is one of Toronto's most popular recreational paths, used by hikers, joggers and bicyclists. As someone said "it is a place in the heart of the city to escape the city." The Belt Line evolution reveals economical and social Toronto city's development issues and city's position toward green space. While some cities like New York are starving of green spaces, the Torontonians can enjoy parkland and nature walks. According to the Peter Nijkamp investigation, "urban green spaces play a key role in improving the liveability of our towns and cities" 4. In other words, it improves the city's quality of life.
 * Background**


 * Data collection and analysis**

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MAP Old Belt Line Photos

__Observations__ It is a favourite public place for people of any age and any culture: - tree-lined trail is 4.5 km long - busy area with everyday activities: jogging, walking, and cycling. - well maintained and clean. I should praise Toronto city's Parks and Recreation workers for doing a good job: cutting grass, picking garbage, and shovel snow. - some signage are over painted - several roads need to be crossed - one section of trail runs near the oldest Mount Pleasant cemetery - bridge crosses the Davisville subway station area and the busiest Younge St. - few drinking water fountains are popular spot for joggers. One is installed to a memory of marathoner Judy Morell. - can hear crickets birds and bees; - watch birds, squirrels and chipmunks, sometimes rabbits, skunks and raccoons - trees and wild life growing everywhere along the path; you can smell flowers and check different kind of trees - trail connects to other trails, ravines, TTC bus stops, libraries, parks and children playgrounds.

__Activities__ Great place for every day activities: - jogging (the Terry Fox marathon runs once in a year) - walking/strolling - biking - dog walking (the dog lovers community organize some walking activities) - walking of mentally ill children - trolling a baby stroller (young mothers organize walking activities) - exploring the nature - skiing at winter - escaping the heat at summer

__Panorama__

[[image:panorama02.jpg caption="Panorama 2 - composition"]]
**Analysis** I'd like to examine why people love this place and what distinguishes the Belt Line from all the other parks. In conclusion I'd like to say that while Belt Line is in a heart of the city, it is a great place to escape urban landscape and submerge into nature by walking, jogging or riding a bike. This natural corridor provides liveliness in a city. Also, it is important to point out, that people meet at park, unite in communities, and create a new virtual public space on Internet. For example, Blogs for dog walkers, Blog for mothers with babies, Announcements to join for Bikers and personal Blogs to share some nice photos of Belt Line.
 * 1) Park is successfully integrated into the city. Linear path has connections with the various amenities: trails, ravines, TTC bus stops, libraries, restaurants, businesses, parks and children playgrounds, etc.
 * 2) It attracts people in different seasons to its integration with the transit system and prominent "Discovery Walk" signs.
 * 3) Park is a part of a bigger "Discovery Walk" system, which offers self-guided walks in public parks, wooded ravines and other open spaces throughout Toronto city.
 * 4) Superb management - landscape is constantly maintained well. City park workers pick garbage, remove graffiti, cut grass in summer and shovel up snow in winter.
 * 5) City organizes some events. For example, the Terry Fox marathon runs once in a year.
 * 6) People unite into communities and organize some events. For example, dog walkers walk together and run a Belt Line Dog Blog on Internet. Bicyclists also organize some rides in groups.
 * 7) Park is bustling with activity. People hike, jog, ride a bike, and ski or simply enjoy exploring nature. This park is truly offers something for everyone.


 * Critical position**
 * 1) The trail is a linear path, where all hikers, joggers and bicyclists, mothers with trolleys and walkers with dogs have to share it. On weekends it is difficult to circulate freely between runners, bikes and dogs.
 * 2) Finding sources is outdated. The brochure and map is vague. Some signs are washed-out. People who try to use "Discovery Walk" trails in ravines hardly know where to go or even to ride and always ask for directions.
 * 3) Vandalism. While Toronto city is preserving and maintaining the park, some people do not care. They paint over signs, litter and draw ugly graffiti over walls and bridges. Why some people do that? Toronto city has to spend more money for maintenance.
 * 4) Security issue. Not all trail sections have lights. At night you might be even scared by coyotes near cemetery.
 * 5) Belt Line is a part of "Discovery Walk" system and some people might ask what to discover where? If you are not truly countryside person who enjoys flowers and birds, there is nothing to look at.
 * Opportunities/ Solutions**

> It is interesting to know about Toronto Tree Tours - a program dedicated to the protection and improvement of the urban forest through education, training and planting initiatives. The Toronto Tree Tours tell the stories of the urban forest and the people and places it sustains. Guided walking tours of 25 to 50 people are led throughout Toronto by arborist and sometimes co-lead with local experts and historians. Unfortunately, this tour doesn’t include Belt Line trail yet. Final graphic expression of activities on Belt Line.
 * 1) City invested money to rebuild the part of Belt Line east from Yonge St. to Mount Pleasant Rd. making the path wider. Also, the Belt Line Bridge over Yonge st. was updated and repainted this summer. It shows that city of Toronto is truly concerned about preserving the green spaces in city. According to //Toronto Life//, on average, parks cover about 5% of urban land in North America; in Toronto it is 12% -- or maybe 17. By big-city standards, Toronto is wildly rich in parkland.
 * 2) I would propose to update the "Discovery Walks" brochures and maps. Belt Line is linear path and there are signs on every intersection you need to cross. It is so easy not to be lost. But if you are in ravines, it is another story. I would recommend to post signs with pointing directions to the closest roads and distance.
 * 3) Educate people to preserve and love nature.
 * 4) Recommendation at least to fix the broken lights along the path.
 * 5) Some people would say that trees and flowers are usual like in other parks and there is nothing to discover. The city's supports Native Plants and there is a reason for that. Natural historians worry about threat foreign plants pose to environment. Once it is planted, birds disperse the seeds and cause them to grow everywhere taking over of native plants, which become extinct. So, the city of Toronto gives priority to native flora and fauna.
 * Panorama**




 * Resources**

1. Spacing Toronto, 06.10.2009 2. [|Toronto Railway Historical Association] (TRHA) 3. [] 4. [|Urban Green Space Policies]

__Additional Resources__ Official "Discovery Walk" Brochure with Map offered by city of Toronto (.pdf) Information on Wikipedia about the Belt Line Railway Information on Wikipedia about Kay Gardner Spacing Toronto article

__Social activities__ Beltline Dog Blog Recommendation [|Blog with photos] [|Bike Toronto]: latest Toronto Cycling News [|Biking Toronto]