Would New Yorkers want an airport in Central Park?
In the debate around the expansion of the Island Airport some members of CommunityAIR often used the example of Central Park in New York City.
We would point out that the Toronto Island is the preeminent park in the City of Toronto, just as Central Park is the preeminent park in the City of New York. New Yorkers would never consider an airport in Central Park, and yet we are expanding an airport on Toronto Island in the midst of the Waterfront which is undergoing massive redevelopment.
Well, if you like satire take a look at this website. http://manhattanairport.org/ It is obviously created tongue in cheek, but it makes the point that there is a limit to the development of airports in cities. It makes absolutely no sense to have a major airport smack dab in the middle of a park and the Waterfront, only two kilometers from the downtown business centre of the city.
For those, incidentally, who will inevitably point out that the airport has been there since 1938, the Island Airport lands are still zoned parkland. The airport is a non-conforming use. Even in 1938 no one believed that the airport would be there forever.
One last point: airports open and airports close. It is time that the Island Airport closed and Porter transfered its service to Pearson.
Bill Freeman
We would point out that the Toronto Island is the preeminent park in the City of Toronto, just as Central Park is the preeminent park in the City of New York. New Yorkers would never consider an airport in Central Park, and yet we are expanding an airport on Toronto Island in the midst of the Waterfront which is undergoing massive redevelopment.
Well, if you like satire take a look at this website. http://manhattanairport.org/ It is obviously created tongue in cheek, but it makes the point that there is a limit to the development of airports in cities. It makes absolutely no sense to have a major airport smack dab in the middle of a park and the Waterfront, only two kilometers from the downtown business centre of the city.
For those, incidentally, who will inevitably point out that the airport has been there since 1938, the Island Airport lands are still zoned parkland. The airport is a non-conforming use. Even in 1938 no one believed that the airport would be there forever.
One last point: airports open and airports close. It is time that the Island Airport closed and Porter transfered its service to Pearson.
Bill Freeman
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