Former chief planner Jennifer Keesmaat wants to transform three failing golf courses into free public spaces.
"Mayoral candidate and former Toronto chief planner Jennifer Keesmaat announced a new proposal to convert three city-owned golf courses into publicly-accessible spaces intended to be open year-round," Ilya Bañares reports for The Toronto Star.
Toronto's 2018-2026 capital plan dedicates about $10 million to improve the courses, none of which is heavily used. All three are located near major transit routes in North York, Roselands, and Oakridge, respectively.
"Highest and best use of public land means opening it up to more uses by more people," Keesmaat said. Her proposal would convert all three properties to uses to be determined by community planning processes, as long as they remain free and open to the public.
All city-owned and operated golf courses are under review following a January vote by the Toronto City Council. Ecologists suggest restoring the courses to green space could mitigate flooding and improve the city's tree canopy, as well as create recreational opportunities for residents.
FULL STORY: Jennifer Keesmaat wants to transform city-owned golf courses into public spaces
Toronto Searching for a Future for its Public Golf Courses
Amid calls to convert the city's golf courses to other uses, Toronto, Ontario city staff are trying to figure out a middle ground between competing interests.
The Most Popular Tree on Google?
Meet Rodney: the Toronto tree getting rave reviews.
The Panacea of Outdoor Human Movement
Humans relish in over-complicating things, but the sweetest and healthiest things in life are the simplest.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action
As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.
Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts
Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.
Why Bike Lanes Are Good: An Explainer for the US Transportation Secretary
Sean Duffy says there’s no evidence that bike lanes have benefits. Streetsblog — and federal agencies’ own data — beg to differ.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service