here is a video of the former site of tent city, an abandoned lot that was the largest thriving population of independent, non-tax paying housing in North America. It was cleared because of a supposed sale to Home Depot for development into a big box retail location. However, this was nearly 8 years ago. Nothing has transpired in terms of site remediation, building, and the site is no longer available to squatters.

SEND Stories, Pics, and Video

Feel free to send stories, drawings, photos, and links if there are people that were involved and inspired by the meeting concerning this particular vacant lot, or you are inspired to step forward and begin the reclamation of a vacant lot in the city of Toronto.

Here is a brief update as to the vacant lot at Lansdowne and Paton Rd. I have spoken with a representative of Adam Giambrone who stated that there would be no movement at this location. There will be work done on a smaller nearby location.

It will be a parquette at the end of Paton Rd that creates a unique space for residents and workers to relax during the day and night. It is a small step, and hopefully not the last. Could it be political posturing by councilor Giambrone? Yes, it could, but I am sure as head of the TTC he will be trying to open up more of the vacant lots owned by the TTC.

The parquette is a small gesture that could help the people of Ward 18 realize that more green space can be created, and that their massive shortage of public space could be ameliorated. However, this parquette does nothing to alter the tremendous pollution problems that face this area because of a TCE spill at the former GE Plant (in litigation with the city over dollar amount for remediating the TCE groundwater contamination), and Nitta Gelatin's toxic fumes. These problems with pollution are part of a big problem for local residents that are continuing to be shuffled to the bottom of the pile.

If Adam Giambrone does not take further steps it is possible that he could be labeled as a negligent councilor once the Air Quality standards are released for all of Toronto.

...It is hard to imagine that a city would leave a piece of land the size of a city block untouched for nearly 12 years. The steeply escalating price of urban land, need for open space, and rising interest in city living make it seem impossibly ridiculous that a community, corporation, or government would not occupy a parcel this large.

However, there are exceptions it seems. One such exception is the Lansdowne Ave. and Paton Rd. vacant lot. Neither the community, the TTC (owner of stated property), corporations, nor the governing bodies in Toronto have done anything to this vacant lot.

Impressed?

Some community members are as well. What follows are drawings of what some active Torontonians would want to see happen at the vacant lot. This in no way intends to propose that these plans will become reality, but there is always hope that the cogs will turn. It is an exercise meant to provoke further action regarding the vacant lot. The aim is to encourage action and thought from within the communities of Toronto and further afield.

Hopefully, this blog can answer some of the questions surrounding the Lansdowne Ave. and Paton Rd. vacant lot. Examples of other disused urban spaces from around the globe will be linked, as well as local community groups involved in making the city more active, and communal. This exercise was started by Landscape Architecture students from the University of Toronto (Alec Hawley, Stuart Patterson, and Zenghuo Sun).

Feel free to comment, add knowledge, or even download/upload your own drawing for the vacant lot at the corner of Lansdowne and Paton (blank layout is provided).

here is the example created by the graduate students
(alec hawley, stuart patterson, and zenghuo sun) and
given pre-meeting as a bounce board for discussion
of what the community member want to see in the park.

BLANK DRAWING PAD FOR YOU!!!

here is a blank page to download, print, and draw on if you feel compelled.

ideas can be as far fetched, or as simple as you like. tap into your
creativity andGO!!!