Residents of Annex are nearing a win against city staff over Paul Martel Park, which has faced issues due to a rigid policy of leaving parks open at night, leading to vandalism and public disturbances. Local councillor Dianne Saxe introduced a successful motion to allow nighttime gating of the park, which features native species important for Indigenous culture. This decision aims to protect the revitalized greenery from damage caused by patrons from nearby establishments. However, a timeline for implementation remains unclear.
Paul Richard, an Indigenous former City of Toronto gardener who has spearheaded the park's revitalization since 2020, states, "It's time, after all our work, for the city to walk its talk on their support for the project."
Coun. Dianne Saxe highlighted the park's difficulties by saying, "The problem is right next door there's a pub and just down the street there are frats, and year after year the sensitive native medicinal plants have been tromped on and urinated on by the drunks and the frat boys."
Saxe's motion passed on Thursday, meaning staff must now ensure that Paul Martel Park is secured between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m, though no timeline for implementation is given.
City staff's blanket policy of keeping all public parks un-gated at night has faced criticism, with many arguing it can lead to costly vandalism and disruption.
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