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LETTER: Too patient on dismal state of our urban landscape

'Far too often our city's landscape is a grey, second best, cheap and uncared-for afterthought. We live among, and sometimes in rank ugliness'
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GuelphToday received the following letter to the editor from David J.A. Douglas in response to the letter Can we beautify Guelph again?

In response to the recent letter looking for some beauty in the urban landscape that all of us share and live in on a daily basis, I have to add my voice of disappointment and dismay.

Our city has many beautiful and inspiring places, along the rivers, in small parts of the Downtown, in some of the older neighbourhoods, and elsewhere.

At times we have a very conscientious and engaged community who address the question of a livable city. And, at time the City steps up and mixes functionality with landscaping, tree planing and a basic sense of design (e.g. skateboard facility, Wellington Street).

But far too often our city's landscape is a grey, second best, cheap and uncared-for afterthought. We live among, and sometimes in rank ugliness.

Garish signs, broken sidewalks, filthy public spaces (e.g. front of the car wash on Woolwich, across from the River Run Centre), weed infested medians and intersections.

And most offensive, deteriorating buildings left half used by unscrupulous landowners (see Wyndham Street!), and the dilapidated houses and front yards of our neighbours! Bylaw enforcement?

Much to be done here. Another instance where Canadian patience might be misplaced.

David J.A. Douglas