"The Weston family wants to give the city up to $50 million to revitalize the park, along with ongoing annual funding to keep it in good condition. The park just north of Ontario's legislature opened in 1860 and the city was able to make some recent improvements to it in 2019, but stopped short of doing more due to budget constraints."
"In a perfect world, we would have tax revenue to be able to look after public spaces and public assets to a high standard ourselves. That's not the world we live in, said Coun. Dianne Saxe. [The donation] is incredibly generous of the Weston family. But given the source of the donation, Saxe also wants to ensure the space continues to serve its intended, public purpose."
"According to the report, the donor will have to approve of the final design. There may also be donor recognition in the form of a commemoration to Hilary M. Weston, Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario from 1997 to 2002. The donor recognition would have to be approved by the city's general manager of parks and would be in line with typical donor recognition within parks and recreation spaces."
Toronto's Queen's Park North, one of Canada's first municipal parks established in 1860, faces potential revitalization through a $50 million donation from the Weston Family Foundation, with additional annual funding for ongoing maintenance. The city made limited improvements in 2019 but lacked budget resources for comprehensive restoration. The mayor's executive committee will vote on the proposed donation before it proceeds to city council for final approval. While acknowledging the generosity of the donation, Councillor Dianne Saxe raises concerns about donor influence and ensuring the park maintains its public purpose. The donor would approve the final design, and donor recognition through commemoration to Hilary M. Weston may be included, subject to city approval and standard donor recognition practices.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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