Support Box Grove Park

To the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Markham Council, Regional Councilors, Councilor Logan Kanapathi, Ward 7.

The City of Markham is considering an application (File # ZA 12 115555 & SU 12 115555) submitted by Box Grove Hill Developments Inc. for the East Side of Rizal Avenue, North of Marlborough Road, Markham (“Rizal Site”). The application will permit the development of 30 single detached units and a park block to be conveyed to the city of Markham.

We, the undersigned residents of the Box Grove community, living in close proximity to the “Rizal Site” are requesting the City of Markham to ABANDON plans to develop 30 single detached units on the site. Instead, we are requesting that the City of Markham develop the entire “Rizal Site” into a park that can be enjoyed by the community, particularly the children in the neighbourhood.

The construction of 30 single detached units on the “Rizal Site” will have negative consequences on the community as a whole. Concerns relating to this project and the benefits of developing a park are as follows:

- Unlike other communities such as Legacy, Cornell, and Boxwood, that have been developed with a community feel in mind (safe parks for children, places for social gatherings), the North-East area of Box Grove (nNorth of 14th, east of the Box Grove Bypass) has been overlooked and contains no gathering place where children of all ages and parents may meet and play. The North-East area only contains 2-3 small parkettes, the largest containing 2 swings and a slide. Others contain little activities for kids.

- The parkettes are often crowded, at least those with swings, making it frustrating for children to play.

- The parkettes are all designed for small children. Older children have no place to play.

- Children do not have a safe area to play any activities that require a fair amount of space (for example, soccer, baseball, flying a kite). Currently, children play these activities on the streets. This is neither safe and can result in damage to personal property (cars, houses). Arguments between neighbours have developed as a result of this unsafe play.

- Healthy living and exercise are not promoted in the community given the absence of green space where children may play safely.

- The community needs a SAFE central gathering area within walking distance where families may meet while their children play. This will foster a positive community environment like Legacy.

- The “Rizal Site” is the last piece of SAFE land in the North-East Box Grove area that can be developed into a park. The construction of 30 single detached units in this community will only reduce the size of the park and the availability of land on which a community based park can be created for the whole community.

- The construction of 30 single detached units in this community will only send a clear message to the residents of the North-East area that Box Grove is an area of houses, and not a thriving community which is what council wishes.

- The “Rizal Site” was originally designated as a school that would have created a central gathering place for residents and children alike. This was one of the reasons many residents may have moved to the area. Given that a school will not be built, the creation of a park on the entire site will fill the vacuum and establish a place where residents and children can meet.

- Little money has been spent to develop an area for children to play in the North-East Box Grove area.

- As an alternative, new housing can always be developed north of Copper Creek on the land space between the Medical Centre and Walmart.

Overall, the creation of 30 single detached units on the “Rizal Site” is unacceptable given the existing densely populated residential community and the absence of any large, SAFE and open green space.

We request that Council stop any further efforts to create 30 single family units on the “Rizal Site”. We call for the protection of this unique green space. We request that Council develop the “Rizal Site” into a park in order to promote safety for our children, encourage healthy living for all residents, and create the community gathering place where residents can meet and play, a place currently missing and overlooked by Council originally.