The Rosehill Reservoir at David Balfour Park will be closed for approximately three years starting in 2017, to permit extensive maintenance work on the reservoir. The green space is heavily used by the surrounding communities, and the Summerhill Resident’s Association (SRA) is concerned about the number of trees that could be impacted.

“Not only will the park be taken out of commission for several years, but in addition, we stand to lose maybe 60 to 100 trees,” said John Bossons of SRA.

“That’s the number one concern: saving as many trees as possible,” said Carol Gray, another member of SRA. For every tree removed during the rehabilitation, SRA has requested the city ensure two take its place.

According to Gray, the maintenance work will also result in the loss of other park features, such as the four-acre pond, an adjacent waterfall and bridge, dramatic water fountain and wading pool.

The loss of the Rosehill Garden, currently maintained by a small group of volunteers, was also a concern. However Gray insisted the community has been assured by City of Toronto Planning staff that it will be replaced afterward. 

“The [group] has worked very hard to get the city to promise it will be put back,” she said.

Project manager Ken Koson was unavailable for comment, but city planner Bruce Hawkins said the city has not received the results of the tree inventory conducted in June. A community consultation is anticipated in the fall and the arborist report will be made available by then.

A petition recently initiated by Bossons has asked the city to allot funding to fix up the Yellow Creek ravine nearby. Bossons said many of the paths and bridges have been washed out. The petition had 573 signatures at press time, and some residents met with local councillors on July 5 to stress the importance of the green space now that the Rosehill Reservoir will soon be unavailable for use.