Occupy park being re-sodded by volunteers

The grass on St. James Park will be better by far than what was there before Occupy Toronto camped out in November. The grass was well trampled by general use and by slack maintenance by city staff. However, with some donations from several organizations, things will be greener than ever in the park.

Councillor Pam McConnell announced today that a generous donation by Landscape Ontario and the Ontario Sod Growers Association will restore the grass in St. James Park this week at no cost to the City.

On Wednesday, volunteers from these organizations will conduct preparatory work to aerate the site and lay down an inch of soil on the 11,000 square meters of ground. On Thursday, volunteers and City Parks staff will lay out 12 tractor trailer loads of sod in the Park.

Lane closures on King Street and Adelaide Street East will be required to accommodate work vehicles on both days.

The St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA will assist by providing hot drinks and snacks for the volunteers.

“I am very excited that St. James Park will become green again and in such a short time, thanks to this generous partnership,” said Councillor McConnell. “This is the first step in a plan to enhance the park and restore it as a jewel of our community.  This initiative was begun several months ago, led by the BIA and St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association. All donations for St. James Park that are being sent in will be put toward making those plans a reality.”

A separate donation made through Occupy Toronto to the BIA will be put toward a new holiday lighting program for the Park. A Light Up the Park holiday event for the community is being scheduled by the BIA for December 22nd with details to come.