By Fred Alvarado
Fred is a community journalist with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE

For 10 weeks, from July 4 to Sept. 11, Parliament Street in Cabbagetown is going to look a little more green as a new parkscape installation was erected to the delight of merchants, businesses, and the local community.

The parkscape, featuring trees, green space, naturalized seating on logs, and other elements of nature, was erected in just 72 hours with repurposed municipal wood. It was made by Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds in a collaborative effort between the Cabbagetown BIA and other partners including Bienstock and Toronto Centre MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam.

"This is a placemaking initiative designed to support local merchants and businesses who have been impacted by the last two and a half years," Wong-Tam said.

The $100,000 cost is funded by major partners, she added, with no money from taxpayers or the BIA. The installation elevates the experience on the streetside, and the feedback has been positive, Wong-Tam said.

"We've heard from merchants they're seeing new people coming in, staying longer, choosing to dine-in or take away and plop themselves on this naturalized seating," she said.

What was once a parking space and patio space has been recreated into a natural green space with shade. An official opening of the installation takes place Monday.

Parliament Street near the installation had its speed reduced from 50 km/h to 30 km/h. It creates a natural traffic calming effect, Wong-Tam said. The parkscape takes up two blocks.

"People want to keep it," she said. "This is what the streets can look like when you design spaces for people," Wong-Tam added.

RPTV visited the parkette and interviewed visitors that have fallen in love with the new installation.