Sunday, May 25, 2008

Why are all Toronto ghetto's called "Park"?

There is an interesting phenomenon here in Toronto where all the lowest income and run-down neighbourhoods have the word "park" in them. Thorncliffe Park, Flemingdon Park, Regent Park, Moss Park etc. Recently I found this interesting article - here - that gave some explanation and documented the history of Toronto's high rise glory:
I am intrigued by the history of Toronto's development and growth. Toronto is indeed a city of towers, sometimes in the most unexpected locales...Some 50 years ago, Canada's first planned community was built. The Don Mills development...

The 60's saw a boom in tower construction. In the 'burbs, the typical land requirements allowing for up to 60% of the property to be green - essentially parkland. The result was tower developments "in parks" suited for the middle class. Developments such as Flemingdon Park, Thorncliffe Park, Bathurst and Steeles, northern Keele and Jane St, the Peanut and Crescent Town went up at a dizzying pace...Developments such as Flemingdon Park, Thorncliffe Park, Bathurst and Steeles, northern Keele and Jane St, the Peanut and Crescent Town went up at a dizzying pace.
So there you have it, way back in the 60's Toronto was already thinking 'green'. Three cheers for ghetto's named "Park"!

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