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Written by Windsor Shadow
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Monday, 04 July 2011 05:47 |
Happy Independence Day to our American neighbours!
1. As is often said in the school yard, "them's fighting words"! An interesting report on City Parks being discussed at City Council this evening. Wards 1, 5, 6 and 10 are identified as having a "surplus" of parkland in their wards while 2 (5.44), 3 (12.32), 4 (13.44), 7 (2.49) , 8 (2.44) and 9 (0.70) are listed as having a "deficit". Appendix A lists all of the parks in the City, by Ward, and whether they are a Community/Regional or Neighbourhood park.
"In the review of existing parks inventory there may be opportunities to reduce the number of neighbourhood parks and consolidate the facilities in the general neighbourhood or community/regional parks located in the immediate vicinity. The redundant parks could then be disposed of and the funds used to facilitate the acquistion and/or the improvement of park land in deficient areas."
In review of parkland distribution and adequacy there are a number of opportunities where disposition and acquisitions would serve to correct some of the existing imbalances of open space in the system. The sale of undersized, underutilized or redundant parks may allow the purchase of a larger parcel of land that will better serve the community and provide amenities that are likely to serve a wider range of users. In some cases the function of a neighbourhood park can be better accomodated by the closest community/regional park. A separate in-camera report will be forwarded for Councils consideration regarding the acquisition/disposition of park land in accordance with the City's Proceduaral By-Law.
"Conclusion: The supply and distribution of open space is appropriate and opportunities should be taken to further balance the deficiencies identified in the system. The consolidation of parks and recreational facilities will enhance quality, improve maintenance and provide for a more efficient delivery of service."
Call me cynical, but I expect an all out blitz of community consultations on this one in comparison to the anemic effort put forth on the pool/community centre consolidations recently approved by City Council.
I look forward to seeing the Councillors for Wards 1,5, 6 and 10 voting to close parks in their Wards in order to improve parks in the deficient wards. It's the right thing to do for the city, isn't it?
2. Related -- To meet accessibility standards, Windsor to close 40 playgrounds.
3. As plans move forward for the new South West Detention Centre, it highlight the fact that we need to begin a community discussion on what to do with the Old Windsor Jail once it is no longer needed.
4. Update on the Municipal Cultural Master Plan
Cultural Summit being planning for November 2nd 2011? Museum feasibility study moving forward - any bets on the old Windsor Public Library becoming the new Windsor Community Museum?
5. Bike Friendly's post on Windosr's Bronze Award in the Bicycle Friendly Community Awards. I get the sense Windsor's Bronze is a "thanks for applying" award, not a real recognition that should be celebrated. What does Windsor need to do to improve to Silver and Gold? Will Council have this discussion or simply trumpet their Bronze award and move on?
6. One last view of Riverside Arena
7. Have you built or renovated a home in the last 10 years? This plumbing nightmare might include you.
8. Failure to do due diligence doesn't even begin to explain this Grace Hospital fiasco. Chances of seeing an Auditor General's report on this before the election - somewhere between zero and none.
9. Great Graston cartoon on Conrad Black's recent resentencing in the US.
10. UFO's in Windsor?
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Written by Windsor Shadow
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Tuesday, 28 June 2011 19:10 |
I'm kicking around the idea of registering a political party for the upcoming Provincial Election. The concept is a protest party a la Rhinos. My first choice is "None of the Above", but I suspect that Elections Ontario won't approve that name. Looking for ideas/acronyms. To register a party in Ontario you require 1000 signatures of registered voters, so what I'd like to do is come up with at least two possible names and collect signatures for both at the same time, for submission to Elections Ontario. If you don't want to post here, send your suggestions to
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Written by Windsor Shadow
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Monday, 27 June 2011 06:00 |
1. Windsor City Council could learn a few lessons from Ford City Neighbourhood Renewal on Community consultations. They've already held more sessions for their project than the City did for the Aquatic Centre. In addition to the sessions listed, they are running one for youth 14 to 18 on June 27th at the Gino Marcus Centre, 5pm.
2. Have a safe and fun time at the Fireworks tonight!
3. Festival Epicure in two weeks and Eat Your City in just over a month. Lots of foodie fun for the summer.
4. Update: Bike to the Fireworks cancelled this year due to liability issues.
5. City of Windsor website back up and working after a scheduled maintenance weekend. I was hoping we would see the new website, but I guess it's not to be as yet.
6. Now that the Aquatic Centre issues is resolved, the next question is what to do with the soon to be vacant library site. More to come on that question.
7. Lots of speculation on where the Windsor Star's newsroom will relocated to - what's your guess?
8. As Chicago prepares to get into the casino business, the Chicago Tribune has an interesting overview of the Casino business in Windsor and the rest of the Province
9. Methadone clinic story from Toronto. Of note in the article is a mention of Windsor's bylaw and how it is expected to soon face a Human Rights complaint.
10. The Shaw Festival is a powerhouse tourist draw for the Niagara region. With the growing wine industry in Essex County, can the same thing be accomplished here? Shaw is celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year and is certainly not an "overnight" success. Could County municipalities agree on funding and a venue to start something similar? For more info - History of the Shaw Festival
Note: commenting on The Shadow has been disabled while some maintenance and upgrades are being performed. Should be back up and running by Tuesday or Wednesday.
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Groupon Windsor
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