Sad to hear of the death of Edmund Bacon at 95. He was truly a visionary and was very mindful to a city’s greatest asset: PEOPLE. An integral part of Philadelphia’s history he championed many causes; the revitalization of poorer neighbourhoods, the preservation of green space and public space. I was amazed and in awe how he fought for LOVE PARK even as late as this past June!

JFK plaza was close to his heart. It’s often dubbed LOVE PARK based on Robert Indiana’s Love sculpture. The park was part of Mr. Bacon’s 1932 thesis project. He felt a special kinship to everyone who used the park, even the skateboarders. Skateboarders in Philly were actually the main force behind turning the square from a dangerous drug dealing spot in the 80’s to a great place to have lunch. Skateboarders use of the “under utilized” space brought it’s life back. By the mid-90’s business people would watch locals and pro skateboarders from around the world on their lunch hour. When the mayor banned skateboarding in the city Mr. Bacon was one of many who stood up to defend them and the rights of others in park.

Mr. Bacon’s lessons should not go unlearned, especially here in Toronto. Whether it’s a public space, work environment, condo, or home… respect the people who live and share the city! The condo virus mentioned earlier on Metroblog Toronto is a perfect example of how far gone things are. What will happen to those million dollar condo’s when the Boomer’s age/die? Will they become glorified apartments?

The proposed Airport-Union Station link should be the perfect rallying cry for getting our city on the right track. Get your MP’s and city council member’s phones ringing and their email boxes full on the Airport link issue. If they DON’T use the already existing rail lines make a non stop line why spend our money on it??? Could you imagine paying millions to have express GO Trains that went only from Oakville or Oshawa non stop to Toronto??? You’d have a small number of people (Oakville or Oshawa) with the benefit of passage but no one else to share the cost/BENEFIT of the trip. The current “privitize it” plan is exactly that. It would mean a non-stop trip for the few Bay St downtowners from the airport and save 4 stops, which incidentally currently have no transit access.

Hmmm WWEBD (what would Edmund Bacon Do)…

Related posts:

1. GO Transit Improves Service to and from Toronto
2. Why Are They Parking “THERE”?
3. old Oakville
4. Jumping on the Island Airport Bandwagon???
5. Attacking the bikers