Metrolinx postpones plan to chop down trees in 200-year-old Osgoode Hall garden

Provincial transit agency now says immediate removal of five trees won’t be necessary in order to facilitate an archeological assessment for the Ontario Line station.

Thestar.com
Nov. 30, 2022
Francine Kopun

The trees on the grounds of Osgoode Hall in downtown Toronto have been given a temporary reprieve by Metrolinx, which was threatening to cut them down by Dec. 5 as part of a transit expansion.

“Metrolinx has determined an alternative method to continue progress towards construction and begin the archeological work at the site for the future Osgoode Station before removing any trees,” the provincial transit agency said in a statement Tuesday.

The temporary stay was welcome news to the Law Society of Ontario, which purchased the site in 1828, and continues to operate out of the historic building, named after the first chief justice of Ontario, that is a landmark in the area.

“Thanks to the efforts of community members, stakeholders and partners who have raised concern over the removal of five trees from the historic grounds of Osgoode Hall, Metrolinx has now agreed that this removal is not necessary to facilitate an archeological assessment for the Ontario Line station Metrolinx proposes for the site,” said law society spokesperson Wynna Brown, in response to questions from the Star.

“While the future of this important green space that has been carefully preserved for generations in the heart of Toronto’s downtown core remains uncertain, this temporary reprieve is welcome news.”

Brown said the law society is looking forward to the findings of an independent review being overseen by the City of Toronto and “will continue discussions to pursue all reasonable options to lessen or eliminate the impacts of Ontario Line development on Osgoode Hall and its grounds, while balancing the complex needs of Toronto and the region.”

The report is expected to land in early 2023.

Kahentiio Maracle, a member of the Bear Clan from Tyendinaga Mohawk territory, was part of an Indigenous group that met with Metrolinx Tuesday morning to express their opposition to the plan to cut down the trees.

Maracle said she felt Metrolinx listened to their arguments.

Bryan Hendry, communications adviser for the Haudenosaunee Development Institute, also attended the meeting.

“As a Crown corporation, Metrolinx has a duty to consult and seek consent from the Haudenosaunee before construction of any kind begins, which includes removing trees,” said Hendry.

Metrolinx had notified the Law Society of Ontario that it would be taking down five trees in the Osgoode Hall garden on or before Dec. 5, in order to conduct an archeological assessment in preparation for construction of the new Ontario Line.

The multibillion-dollar provincial transit project will link the Ontario Science Centre to Exhibition Place and the plan includes a station at Osgoode Hall.

The trees in question overhang a historic wrought-iron fence and provide shade in summer to pedestrians on the north side of Queen Street West at University Avenue at what is otherwise a densely urban location.

The law society isn’t entirely sure which trees Metrolinx was planning to take down, but the grove includes mature linden trees, ash trees, a horse chestnut tree, an elm tree that escaped Dutch elm disease, as well as a couple of Norway maples, and crabapple trees.

The garden provides a welcome respite to residents in summer, said Elise Brunet, curator, facilities and planning, for the law society. People often picnic on the grounds, which are large enough for the occasional pick-up football game.

The grounds were originally conceived as an amenity for law students at the school, said Brunet, and predate development in the area.

“The idea of having a park was always part of it. It was there for the law students from the very beginning,” said Brunet.

Members of the Bear Clan from Tyendinaga Mohawk territory said they will be keeping an eye on the property to ensure no chainsaws show up.

“We’re going to make sure these trees don’t come down,” said Adam Zachariah, who was on site Tuesday with his brother, Tyson.