Inadequate Social Infrastructure
Largely built between 1954-1965, Bendale (Lawrence & McCowan) is the oldest and most established community on the Scarborough Subway Extension (SSE) with +70-60-year-old infrastructure.
Staggering increases in density must reflect the needs of a community. For example, Bendale (Lawrence & McCowan) does not have a single community centre. In fact, the next closest community center(s) are +22 mins away via public transit (these include):
Birkdale Community Centre - No facilities (eg. Swimming, basketball, etc.), other than 4 large meeting/craft rooms. Located over 2 blocks, 3km away from McCowan/Lawrence. A 22 min TTC trip during peak hours (9 AM by bus).*
McGregor Park – Fully featured. Located 3.8 blocks away (nearly at Birchmount), 3km away from McCowan/Lawrence. A 24 min TTC trip during peak hours (9 AM by bus).*
Centennial Community Centre – Fully featured. Located 3.8 blocks away (nearly at Markham), 3.5 km away from McCowan/Lawrence. A 24 min TTC trip during peak hours (9 AM by bus).*
Don Montgomery Community Centre (previously Mid-Scarborough) - Fully featured. Located 3.2 blocks away (nearly at Kennedy/Eglinton), 3.8km away from McCowan/Lawrence. A 25 min TTC trip during peak hours (9 AM by bus).*
*Trip times calculated via Google Maps and TTC scheduling for the 54 Lawrence East and/or 16 McCowan with necessary transfers and at peak hours (when bus frequency is highest).
The Lawrence East TOC proposal claims that the community will benefit from a new “park”. In fact, according to the existing drawings provided (as of March 2024), the 1,047 m² privately-owned “park”[1] or Privately Owned Publicly Accessible Space (POPS) is nothing more than an “L” shaped grass strip (roughly the size of 2.35 NBA regulation basketball courts [94 ft x 50 ft], or 4,700 sq ft.)[2] and approximately 18 trees.[3]
The Lawrence East TOC’s “POPS” community benefit is modest-to-low at best, as Lawrence & McCowan borders three core parks including Bendale Park (at the intersection), Hague Park (under the Lawrence Bridge at McCowan), and Thomson Memorial Park (+100 acres), the second largest in Scarborough and the broader Highland Creek network, there is little to no community need for another “park”. Bendale needs core infrastructure.
Built in May 1961, the Toronto Public Library’s Bendale Branch footprint has not been updated in 25 years (when the last renovations occurred between May 3 - October 4, 1999). [4] [5]
As of March 22, 2022, over 6,700 additional units are approved and over 21,000 units are proposed in the Bendale/Woburn area.[6] The infrastructure has not kept up with this staggering growth. This level of planned density is only increasing.
Concerned yet? Contact your elected official. HERE
Sources:
[1] Infrastructure Ontario - Lawrence East TOC: Proposal, p.3
https://engageio.ca/sites/default/files/2024-02/cover_letter.pdf
[2] NBA Rulebook - RULE NO. 1: Court Dimensions – Equipment
https://official.nba.com/rule-no-1-court-dimensions-equipment/
[3] Infrastructure Ontario - Lawrence East TOC: Landscape Plan
https://engageio.ca/sites/default/files/2024-03/lawrence_east_landscape_plan.pdf
[4] 1998 City of Toronto Council - Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee - November 19, 1998 https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/1998/agendas/committees/sp/sp981215/it025.htm
[5] Toronto Public Library – Bendale Branch History - https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/bendale/
[6] 2023 - City of Toronto - Executive Summary - Our Scarborough Centre Study https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/sc/bgrd/backgroundfile-237352.pdf