St. Thomas Community Fights for Green Space on Former Railway Lands

When the city of St. Thomas first announced it was looking at the old railway yards for a new downtown project, a handful of locals thought it might finally bring the kind of mixed‑use neighbourhood they’d been hoping for. What they got instead was a blueprint heavy on condos and commercial units, with only a thin strip of green left over.

That’s why a growing coalition of neighbourhood residents, school‑parents and a few city councillors have started showing up at council meetings, community forums and even the occasional coffee‑shop chatter‑up, urging planners to rethink the balance. “We love the idea of more housing, but we can’t lose the only open‑air space we have left in the core,” says longtime resident Mariah Patel, who has lived on King Street for more than a decade.

The council has already earmarked the 18‑acre former railway parcel for a mix of residential, retail and office space. Yet the draft plan only sets aside about a half‑acre for a park—a size that would barely fit a few benches and a modest playground. Critics argue that such a small green pocket won’t serve the needs of a growing population, nor will it honor the historic character of the rail‑site, which once linked the town to the wider province.

In response, Councillor Derek O’Leary, who represents the downtown ward, proposed an amendment that would require developers to allocate at least 10 percent of the total area to publicly‑accessible greenspace, as well as include affordable‑housing units within the new structures. “It’s not just about trees and lawns,” O’Leary told the council last Tuesday. “It’s about health, community interaction, and future‑proofing our city.”

The city’s planning department is now reviewing a handful of community‑sourced alternatives, ranging from a linear park that follows the old rail line, to a pocket park with a small community garden. Some proposals even suggest integrating a public waterfront walkway along the nearby river, turning the whole development into a more cohesive, pedestrian‑friendly corridor.

Developers, meanwhile, have signalled they’re open to dialogue but caution that adding more green space could affect the financial viability of the project. A spokesperson for the lead developer, Oakridge Builders, said, “We’re committed to creating a vibrant, livable neighbourhood. If the city can provide clear guidelines on greenspace requirements, we can work within those parameters.”

For now, the conversation continues to unfold at public hearings scheduled for next month, with many residents hoping the final plan will strike a better balance—one that blends new homes and shops with the breathing room that makes downtown feel human again.