This week I was out for a walk up near the library where there is a lot of construction going on. So many dump trumps back & forth.
There's a plan for a new subdivision of 214 homes going in along with the Township's plans for an enlargement of the park & resources; a fenced dog park; a ice pad for hockey & skating in winter & pickleball & basketball in the summer, along with a covered area for the Farmer's Market. They have already built the skate board park (only good for a short season). I try not to resist progress but I must admit I am sad about some of this progress. The subdivision is being built on prime farm land, good for growing our food & some of the land once had a mix of hard wood forest & wetlands. All bulldozed, leveled, filled in. Loss of natural habitat is a big issue not only for the wildlife but for the protection of our water - we get all our water from artisan wells (ground water sources). I could weep actually for this change because it comes after a promise from our mayor 2 years ago that there would be no more subdivisions built in our village. Today I ponder the question from my Monday's post; is our geography making our history.
From FaceBook: "If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life, but still the same amount of snow."
We have a similar project still in the planning stage very close to where we live and there are many, many objections from local residents. What a shame that your mayor has conveniently forgotten those promises he made just two years ago.
ReplyDeleteOur mayor wants to be popular with all sides & cannot stick to a decision because one side may be blowing harder!
DeleteI support development for density, but I like to see infill developments and improved use of land in centers of cities and towns. Loss of trees and wooded land makes me sad :(
ReplyDeleteOur little villages along with hundreds of others were ordered by the provincial government to build homes for the great outpouring of Toronto the only thing this mandate did not take into consideration is the support of moving people. We have no infrastructure such as transit, no $ for schools or recreational things other than things that are locally fund raised (our skate park was totally a community initiative & the funds were privately raised). It's just using prime land that should be growing the food isn't & very shortly we will see that impact - more imported foods, less safety insurances & higher costs (transport).
DeleteSprawl benefits no one, but increased density in cities and improved public transportation benefit all. I'm sorry they went the wrong direction with your community :(
DeleteI'm surprised they were able to get shovels in the frozen ground!
ReplyDeleteSome of the digging happened just before Christmas, but it seems the weather does not stop or slow progress. The bricking of the houses was done two weeks ago under plastic tarps. The roof shingles have blown off two of the new houses already! You just cannot build quality in -25 temperatures.
DeleteI think many communities face the same situation. I'm with you, I hate to see land that supports the environment cleared for a housing subdivision.
ReplyDeleteAt a townhall meeting they kept playing a song "put up a parking lot" was the chorus - but it rings so true. We are a very short sighted species & it shall be the ruination of us.
DeleteWell, I think it's all been said. A waste of natural resources and money, for negligible, arguable, gain. Sad.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. Lately it's kind of been my soap box as our community is fighting a gravel company from setting up an open pit. I cannot say any longer, what I think doesn't matter ...
DeleteIt's just sad, but I'm seeing more and more lately that life moves forward, changes come (good and bad), and very few stop to consider the long term consequences to our lives and our planet.
ReplyDeleteProgress isn't always good - I think we sometimes need to take a moment to reflect on what it is we really want. Mind you there are times when we talk a situation to non action.
DeleteA bummer that the good farm land is being done away with for more "advancement." Goodness, it seems like there's still so much snow there! Sunshine here today, although it's too wet after last night's storm to get out in the yard.
ReplyDeleteOur local action groups are taking a lead in the protection of our water as the focus & primary need right now, protecting the lands is a sub plot of that. I have learnt so much about our area through these information sessions. More to learn, more to know.
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