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© BOPINION hronicle | Thursday, March 30, 2023 | 8 YOUNG PARENTS = WANT EASY ACCESS TO A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES, BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO SACRIFICE CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD, WRITES GRAHAM HOOKEY a recent trip to the sunnier south, I experi- enced i South Carolina that, some years ago, decided it want- ed to attract young fami- lies away from the suburbs and back into town. At the heart of the plan was a massive renovation of a former industrial zone along a river, turning a ry GRAHAM HOOKEY Column rather rundown and aban- doned acreage into a park, complete with ‘ing trails to the city centre. There was plenty of open space, but also some well- planned, all-season play- grounds anda large splash park for the summer. I was there on a sunny March weekend day, and the place was jam-packed with young families and people walking their dogs, jogging, biking and just hanging out in an open space. city-pl. perspective, the park has done what it was intended to do. foune 3 eee have ded pealene acne neigh- bourhoods. New businesses have developed in and around the park to serve the needs of park users, or to have a peantiful park in their busi backyard. Looking around at some older industrial land still undeveloped, it was easy to see the potential for high- rise condos facing the park. There has been a con- sistent movement of peo- ple from rural areas to the cities for the last hundred years, and most of it was built on the principle of de- veloping suburbs and ex- panding the city, often to the | detriment of the city with the future focus: n-free ig mM footprints, “the. aot to CITY PLANNERS CAN RELOCATE FAMILIES WITH PARKS live closer to work, to walk rr bike most places you wish to go and yet to still have the benefits of a natu- ral setting, building large open spaces near and con- nected to city centres, seems like ar no-brainer. TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT WATERLOOCHRONICLE.CA lishments on the periph. ery and you have a recipe for bringing people togeth- er in the city while feeling e they are in My wife and I always chose to live near natural areas where we could easi- ly take our three boys to ist run off some of thei excess energy. We had a a yard, but they always en- joyed the parks, streams, ‘rails and woods better, and so our yard be- came, essentially, a place tally sensitive parents, Particularly professionals city centres, me Woking for housing options that meet their family and work needs. They want easy and non-commuting access to a wide range of services, but they don't want to sac- rifice a sense of neighbour- hood or connection to the natural world. Parks do that; they draw people from many streets to the oamunity! of the park. it's a place to play and a pace to connect with oth- vada a few eating estab- that needed fertilizer and itting, but served little purpose. AsI watched the young families in South Careline I ar to y wife that, if we'd lived in this city when our chil- dren were young, we'd have definitely tried to find ahome within walking dis- tance of this facility. on nodded her head in suggesting wed! have had a lot of pic- nic Inches there. Indeed — perfec: Graham Hookey is the author of "Parenting Is A Team Sport" and can be Tis a ee published lay, is a division ofthe Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 70 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants urged to bring their concems w ia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., IN M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca Aocna editorial@waterloochronicle.ca Pcie ican waterlonchronicte @wichrot WHO WE ARE Publisher and Chief Executive Officer Neil Oliver Vice President, Conte Community and Operations Dana Robbins Director of Content Lee Ann Waterman Regional General Manager rreira ising Representatives in Bodanka, Matt Miller, Lisa Humphreys, Cassandra Dellow atonal Newelteda counet reached at hoo.com. METROLAND GIVES BACK PROGRAM DOES JUST THAT REBRANDED PROGRAM OFFERS $1 MILLION IN FREE ADVERTISING TO CHARITIES, WRITES CATHERINE O'HARA It'sabout trust. Our rela- tionship with our readers is built on transparency, hon- esty and integrity. As such, have launched a trust initiative to tell you who we are and how and why we do what we do. This article is g bart of that project. 3 With inflation and the 6 increased overall cost of § living, many people are 8 curbing their spending and rethinking how they spend Ed CATHERINE O'HARA Column their hard-earned money, including how much they can donate to the charity of their choice. Ontario residents are feeling the pinch and so are not. for: ~-profit organiza- aoa charities dedicat- ed to supporting the com- munity are working hard to meet an increase in de- mand despite declining do- nations. _ Non-profits need suppor’ Its an issue we hear time and again as editorial leaders continue to meet with members of Torstar's and did so with the launch of the Torstar Gives Back profits with free advertis- ing in 2022. rebranded as Metroland Gives Back. The revamped program is intended to build strong communities and provides. vorganiza tions with limited market- ing or advertising budgets an opportunity to promote their services or initia- tives. This means more funding to support their work in the community, where it's most impactful. Starting April 1, non- profit organizations, chari- 'y groups and community can apply to Our to supporting local charities and not-for-profits is unwa- vering. This spring, the Torstar Gives Back program will be receive free advertising through the Metroland Gives Back program by emailing i When a selected organi- zation has been approved, they'll be Giectty a budget and work with one of Metrolana's media spe- cialists on their advertis- We're excited about this initiative and committed to doing our part to give back to the community. Howev- er, what's most rewarding is kno owing that this bro: Robyn Wilkinson ‘Online Editor Loraine Centeno News Editor Ned Bekavac Reporter Bill Jackson Director Creative Services Paul Gostlin CONTACT US Waterloo Chrot 219 Labrador Or. “Suite 203, Waterloo, On., 4M8 Phone: 519-886-2830 Web: www,waterloochronicle.ca Letters to the editor Allletters must be fewer than 320 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Published letters will appear in print and/or online at - non-profits to expand t thee reach to serve residents in need. Catherine O'Hara is deputy director of content for Metroland. We welcome your questions and value your comments. Email our ittee at com. ty com. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, e-mail customerservice@metroland.co or call 519-894-3000. Acerédité Accredited.