Residents renew fight to save North End green space and cultural garden

North End residents have renewed the fight to save a cultural garden near Bayfront Park from being developed as part of a mixed-income housing project.

The quiet corner at Bay and Strachan streets was bought by the city decades ago for an industrial Perimeter Road" that was never built. The land was later designated for low-density housing.

But residents successfully petitioned the city for permission to create the Sunset Cultural Garden on the site in 2015. They also opposed a council decision two years later to offer the land as part of a package deal to develop more affordable housing.

Now neighbours are rallying again to save their peaceful place" - which includes native plants, benches and stone plaques inscribed with original poetry in 12 languages - as housing plans inch forward with a city recommendation to sell the road allowance that forms part of the pop-up parkette.

North End resident and lawyer Herman Turkstra told a city committee meeting Wednesday that residents still expect a say in the future of the garden property - either via friendly consultation, or legal appeal.

The city already has a development agreement with a consortium to turn the nearby Jamesville housing complex into a mixed-income development with 110 new affordable units. Some townhouses would end up at Bay and Strachan.

But Turkstra urged the city to first sit down and talk" with residents and the developer to find a compromise that might save green space in a rapidly intensifying neighbourhood.

Sunset Cultural Garden is right across the street from city's biggest harbourfront park. But Turkstra argued Bayfront Park exists to bring people to the waterfront" rather than serve local residents.

The city originally warned residents the garden was temporary and offered to relocate it across the street. But Sandra Hudson, who helped found the garden, said that would eliminate the parkette's peaceful setting, which many value."

Ward councillor Jason Farr asked for the matter to be put off until Friday's council meeting so he can consult with the city's developer. If they're willing to at least have the conversation, I'm willing to hold off," he said.

But Farr added he is not on" to accept fewer affordable housing units in order to preserve the parkette.

Matthew Van Dongen is a Hamilton-based reporter covering transportation for The Spectator. Reach him via email: mvandongen@thespec.com