Welcome Spacing Readers!

Hi folks. If you’re arriving here from this article in Spacing Wire quoting me as “skateboarder Nathan Ng”, you might be wondering where to find the letter I wrote to Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon.

Here are the two relevant links for your reference:

• Letter to Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon: Why Jeopardize the Ashbridges Bay Skate Park?
• Update -- Ashbridges Bay Skate Park response

Enjoy -- and do stick around if you like!

See also (other skate-related articles)...
• Is Skateboarding Illegal in Toronto?
• Speed! Thrills! Women! FUBU Skate Race Recap
• Aftermath - 2011 Toronto Board Meeting
• The rise of Patrick Switzer, Downhill Skateboarder
• Our first longboarding tragedy
• Grappling with another longboarding death

Past letters to government officials...
• A Pratfall of Monumental Indiscretion
• Please reconsider the proposed service cut to TTC Route 101 - Downsview Park

Update -- Ashbridges Bay Skate Park response

Ward 32 Councillor McMahon:
Apparently paying attention

I received, in response to my recent letter to Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon (regarding the diversion of Section 37 funds from Phase 2 of the Ashbridges Bay Skate Park), the following communiqué, which presumably went out to every skater who took the time to contact her.

It’s good to know that some Councillors are ostensibly listening:

-------------
Beach Skateboard Park Update from Councillor McMahon
Feb 9, 2012   

This week Councillor McMahon met with community stakeholders and has come up with an alternative plan to get the Beach Skateboard Park bowl built. She met with representatives from the community, skateboard enthusiasts and city staff and been thoroughly impressed with everyone’s commitment to this local park and facility.

“The project was always approved, we just had to ensure that the financing responsibilities were shared as widely as possible,” explained Councillor McMahon. 

“Balancing the requests and demands of other local residents who are facing disruptions caused by the TTC Ashbridges Bay storage yard construction project is never easy. I am happy to say that we’ve found some new sources of support that will allow us to divert some of the TTC monies to other local community benefits.  The construction tender should be ready to go out in the next few weeks.”

The bowl represents the completion of the skate park project that has been ten years in the making. “Nobody questions the importance of this facility to the community and how it lives up to our shared priorities of youth recreation, connected communities, vibrant park spaces and stewardship,” she stated.

“Anytime I’ve been by this skate park there are people using it. It’s taken an underutilized corner of the park and made it a hub of activity. Local parents and youth organize events, paint murals and even do the maintenance and clean-up of the skate park. This is the type of stewardship and engagement I support and encourage in all our parks, with groups like Friends of Moncur Park, the Icemasters,  and others,” says Councillor McMahon.

“I’m looking forward to spending time at the skatepark to meet some of these local park champions soon.”

Updates as available will be posted on Councillor McMahon’s website.

-------------

For now, I am willing to accept this as a sincere acknowledgement from Councillor McMahon of the importance of the skate park to the local community.

Of course the devil is in the details, and like many as-yet-unbuilt city projects, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” (meaning Phase 2) There remain key unresolved questions:

• What were those new sources of support, and what were the amounts involved?
• Will the change in funding impact the design or the timeline for construction of Phase 2?

We’ll see what happens. This appears to be a positive step forward for the park and a good example of citizen activism, as I know many people got in touch with the Councillor. In particular, Nicky Young and Dave Buchanan deserve credit for taking action and making sure this issue got visibility. Steve Jarrett has long been the park’s key local proponent.

I must also grudgingly give the Councillor some credit for a quick response during a time period where the attention of most of Council has (understandably) been on the transit file...

Skate on!


Previously...
• Letter to Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon: Why Jeopardize the Ashbridges Bay Skate Park?


See also (other skate related articles)...
• Is Skateboarding Illegal in Toronto?
• Speed! Thrills! Women! FUBU Skate Race Recap
• Aftermath - 2011 Toronto Board Meeting
• The rise of Patrick Switzer, Downhill Skateboarder
• Our first longboarding tragedy
• Grappling with another longboarding death

Additional reading (external commentary)...
The Town Crier’s article on what happened...
Spacing Wire’s summary (in which my letter is quoted)

Letter to Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon: Why Jeopardize the Ashbridges Bay Skate Park?

Councillor McMahon,

On January 31, 2012 -- at your request -- the Toronto Transit Commission voted to divert a previously-secured $300,000 funding arrangement intended for use in completion of Phase 2 of the Ashbridges Bay Skate Park.

I wish to express my unequivocal concern regarding this turn of events. This unprompted, unplanned diversion of funds jeopardizes the successful completion of the skate park, and should be reconsidered. 

The Ashbridges Bay Skate Park is a signature Toronto Parks and Recreation project, and has been well over eight years in the making. It has involved extensive community consultation, planning, outreach and communication.

Many members of the skateboard community are shocked and upset by your actions on this matter. They view this outcome as a betrayal of their ongoing good-faith participation in the lengthy municipal process of building this park.

Diverting the funds at this late stage should be a City Council decision to make -- especially considering the large sum of money involved. This funding was originally secured in relation to a new TTC storage and maintenance facility, at Leslie Street and Lakeshore Boulevard. Everything was approved in December 2009, by the TTC Commission and the Toronto City Council budget process.

I realize that the Ashbridges Bay Skate Park was previously championed by your predecessor, and that because of your significant differences in opinion regarding municipal policies and approach, you may be predisposed to question particular projects or initiatives undertaken in your ward.

I appreciate and understand this. However, I urge you -- in the strongest possible terms -- to recognize the greater benefit to the community represented by this skate park.



The Phase 2 design for the park incorporates a world-class kidney bowl. When constructed, this feature will draw international skaters, their families, and locals alike -- to visit and enjoy the attractions of Beaches-East York.

Toronto deserves a world-class skate park. We asked for it. We demanded it. We worked diligently through all of the proper channels, in partnership with all of the many stakeholders -- to get this project underway, to have shovels in the ground.

After years of campaigning, the city finally built Phase 1 -- and now we’re ready for Phase 2. The park has already been the host to nearly every major skate demonstration and contest in Toronto, as well as playing the host to several highly successful summer camp programs for children.

It is the most-highly used skate park in the city.  

Ashbridges Bay Skate Park is more than just a recreational facility. It is a gathering place. It is a spot where lifelong friendships are made. It is a model for successful community infrastructure and investment.

On Friday February 10, there will be a rally at City Hall regarding this project. I invite you to attend, and to learn more about this project and its importance.

Councillor McMahon, although I am exceptionally disappointed by the recent turn of events, I am confident that when you ultimately consult the community, you will discover that support for this project is very strong indeed.

I trust you will act accordingly, and work to restore funding for Phase 2 of the Ashbridges Bay Skate Park.

Sincerely,


Nathan Ng
Skateboarder

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sent to:
Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon
Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West, Suite B28
Toronto, ON  M5H 2N2


cc:
His Worship Rob Ford
Mayor, City of Toronto
100 Queen St. W.
City Hall, Second floor, West
Toronto, ON  M5H 2N2

Ulli S. Watkiss
City Clerk
Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West, 13th floor W
Toronto, ON  M5H 2N2

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE -- February 9
See Councillor McMahon’s response here.

Ashbridges Bay Skate Park
City Hall Rally Feb 10!

Fellow skaters: make sure your voice is heard!

Get in touch with Councillor McMahon, and respectfully communicate why Phase 2 of the Ashbridges Bay Skate Park needs to be completed.

Contact information for Toronto City Council can be found here.

A rally in support of the completion of Phase 2 is slated for February 10 at 1pm, at City Hall. More information can be found here.

Also: read this Beaches Metro article about the redirection.

Lastly: This Feb 24, 2012 Spacing article quotes me and references this blog post, in describing skater reaction to events.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See Also...

• Is Skateboarding Illegal in Toronto?

• Speed! Thrills! Women! FUBU Skate Race Recap
• Aftermath - 2011 Toronto Board Meeting
• The rise of Patrick Switzer, Downhill Skateboarder
• Our first longboarding tragedy
• Grappling with another longboarding death


Past letters to government officials...
• A Pratfall of Monumental Indiscretion
• Please reconsider the proposed service cut to TTC Route 101 - Downsview Park