[markbarbera]

There were community meetings and consultations during the development of the master plan. IMO there was plenty of opportunity to make oneself aware of what is going on in the park and raise concern over the plan. The replacement of the hedge is no surprise element.

Frankly, I would be concerned about any candidate who would claim to be caught unawares of the work to be carried out as part of the Gore Park master plan, given the prominant role this park plays in the ward, and the amount of time and energy put in by the city developing this plan (with significant public input I might add).

Honestly, this whole thing is way overblown. We are not talking about the wholesale removal of groves of majestically tall endangered species of trees here, we are talking about the removal of an overgrown Beech hedge. The maintenance of the park had declined over the years and the curved hedge grew unkempt to a height of 15 feet. In order to restore the heritage elements of the fountain area, the hedge needed to be replaced.

You know, in the same park, great care has been made to preserve the existing trees. Cedar paddocks have been introduced in areas with older trees to protect them from damage. Ironically, this action has also drawn complaints from parkgoers. Guess there is no winning.