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Public parks rarely make the headlines, yet the modest cost of keeping them mowed, planted, and safe has quietly become a target for councils hunting for savings. For well over a century, town and city governments across Canada have tended the lawns, playgrounds, and green spaces at the heart of their neighbourhoods. Lately that tradition has come under question, and a number of vocal groups now argue that spending public money on flower beds and picnic grounds is a luxury local government has no business paying for.

Warren Ostrowski, who speaks for a regional taxpayers coalition, put the argument bluntly. "Anyone who wants greenery can drive to a provincial park or step into their own backyard, so why are councils paying crews to trim grass downtown? It is not the job of government to decide which patch of lawn deserves watering.

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1The article is mainly about
Awhat measurable value parks bring to a community.
Bwhy rentals and user fees should replace public money.
Cwhether councils ought to keep paying to maintain local parks.
Dwhether parks have become too costly to keep up.
2The first part of the article provides
Aa list of the events parks host.
Ba detailed example of one downtown park.
Ca survey comparing park visits with sports.
Dsome general context before the debate.
3Mr. Ostrowski compares a public park to
Aa private golf club that pays its own way.
Ba piece of common ground open to all.
Ca provincial park outside the city.
Da professional sporting event.
4Ms. Comeau warns that continued cuts would most affect
Athe corporate sponsors who help pay for festivals.
Bthe parks staff who tend the grounds.
Cthe dog-walkers and gardeners who visit often.
Dfamilies in apartments who have no green space of their own.
5According to Ms. Comeau, steady municipal investment acts as
Aa way of choosing which lawns are watered.
Ba sign of good faith that reassures sponsors.
Ca substitute for rentals and user fees.
Da reason sponsors drift away.
6Mr. Ostrowski argues that public funding forces the ordinary taxpayer to
Akeep trimming grass downtown.
Bdecide which patch of lawn deserves watering.
Cpay for the weekend pastimes of a few park users.
Dprop up a private golf club they never visit.
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