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Weve sacrificed our orphan spaces downtown, those nooks and crannies between buildings, to the ravages of weather and time. Theres precious little thought, and even less cash, given to the greening of these neglected patches in the core. Forgotten corners like this one near Yonge and Shuter where the Colonial Tavern once stood could, with a little imagination, invite passersby to sit and linger, become refuges from the concrete. We cherish our parks and dress them up with wow gardens. But just as important to the environmental health of our city is its psycho-geography. In forward-thinking cities around the world, these derelict spaces are reborn to create a sense of surprise, playfulness, drama, even mystery. If the city wants to foster a new eco mindspace, the job cant be left to guerrilla gardeners alone.
