Sandowne Park and 10 000 Trees

Sandowne Toboggan Runs/10 000 Trees

Fortunately, while canvassing in the Sandowne neighbourhood, I learned about plans associated with the 10,000 Trees Project that could have resulted in trees being planted over the legacy toboggan hills in Sandowne Park.

I want to be clear that I strongly support tree planting and the environmental goals of the 10,000 Trees Project. However, I also believe we need to listen when a community tells us that something important to them is at risk of being lost. Through my conversations while canvassing, I discovered that many families in Sandowne, and beyond, were deeply concerned about losing these long-standing toboggan hills—an important recreational space that generations of children have enjoyed.

I felt it was important to raise those concerns. I arranged a meeting with Mayor Dorothy McCabe and Sarah Sorensen, the supervisor responsible for the 10,000 Trees Project. On September 11, many concerned residents came together to discuss possible alternatives that would allow us to continue supporting tree planting while preserving the main toboggan hills.

I hope we have reached a reasonable compromise

. However, we have not yet received official confirmation of the final plan.

I will continue to follow this issue closely. I hope the City will honour our discussions and present an alternative plan that protects the integrity of the toboggan hills while still advancing the important environmental objectives of the 10,000 Trees Project.

To me, this is what local representation should be about: listening to residents, bringing their concerns forward, finding common ground and working toward solutions that respect both our community and our environment.