Alayne McGregor/The BUZZ
Alayne McGregor
The Pimisi light rail station, at Booth and Albert Streets, has two levels, one connecting directly to Booth and the second lower level connecting to the multi-use paths in LeBreton Flats.
That lower level has been embellished with benches, large-scale artworks, and a raft of trees and other plants to produce a peaceful green oasis for transit users and local residents.
But since the LRT opened two years ago, some of the trees planted there have died and not been replaced. When The BUZZ recently checked the area, we found 20 trees in good condition, three looking unhealthy with only a few leaves, and five completely dead.
Alayne McGregor/The BUZZ
This situation has infuriated nearby resident Karen Large, who said she has seen dead trees and weed-filled planters there for several years.
“These dead trees are easy fixes that show clearly the lack of care for the entire [LRT] project. For citizens paying billions for a project that is riddled with secrecy and problems of poor performance, this general lack of care and spending a few hundred dollars for flowers and trees to at least appear to care and have pride in the project are shocking and a slap in our community’s face.
“The dead trees and planters full of weeds are symbolic of the terrible city deal as the system does not work and the company does not seem to give a damn as they press on to build more. It looks abandoned, and old after two years.
“Pride and care of our new facility should be standard practice. Trees need to be watered and cared for in a sea of concrete, and bring shade and green to a man-made space. They should be replaced and cared for. What kind of low standard is there when dead trees are not replaced and flower planters are full of dead weeds instead of flowers?”
She said that she has complained about the Pimisi and Bayview Station landscaping to the city.
Troy Charter, the city’s director of Transit Operations, said that OC Transpo and its contractors are responsible for the majority of the landscaping around the Line 1 stations, including Pimisi.
“Staff are aware of a number of locations where trees need to be replaced and this work has been planned to start in the fall.”