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Letter to the Editor
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City Politics
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Riverdale Farm and farm on Center Island threatened
The KPMG report, part of the City’s Core Service Review, suggests that
the city may be able to save about $1.3 million by eliminating the
Riverdale Farm, Far Enough Farm on the Toronto Island, and the High Park
Zoo. The Riverdale Farm has been in operation since 1978 and features
programming, such as the Farmer’s Market, Fall Harvest Festival, and
children’s day camps. The site has been in operation as a City facility
since 1894 as the original site of the Toronto Zoo.
The Riverdale Farm is a significant facility in our city. Not only is it a tourist attraction, but it is an
educational opportunity for children and parents to experience a farm
and farm animals and to learn where our food comes from. For many of our
inner city children, it offers a magical experience that lives with
them forever.
While I’m shocked that this recommendation has been made, I’m not the least bit surprised. This core service exercise was supposed to be about trimming fat and stopping the gravy train. What we are consistently seeing in these reports is that there isn’t enough fat to make a spoonful of gravy. Again and again, these reports are stating that well over 80% of the services the City provides are essential or mandatory.
KPMG are forced to consider any service that adds value to Toronto to be a frill, like cutting the grass or having flowers in our parks. And any program or service that is considered ‘Above Standard’, like the Riverdale Farm, is supposed to be reduced. The Riverdale Farm is a true gem and is an important part of what makes our city a great place to live and raise a family.
These reports from an American firm are suggesting that Torontonians need to enter a race to the bottom and to resign themselves to mediocrity and nastiness. Torontonians are being sold a bill of goods.
The KPMG report will be considered by the Parks and Environment Committee on July 21.
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2011-07-14 15:58:25
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