Should the Scarborough RT become an elevated park?

When the Scarborough RT closes down in 2023, as currently envisioned by city council, the former track bed should become an elevated/linear park in the mould of New York's High Line, if the price is right, says councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker.

City council adopted a motion during last night's transit debate that asks city staff and the TTC to investigate replacing the tracks and electric rails with benches, walking paths, bike trails, and trees from Scarborough Centre to Kennedy station.

Building the park may actually be cheaper than simply pulling down and erasing the old line, which could make the idea more appealing to city councillors.

Speaking during yesterday's debate, TTC CEO Andy Byford said the demolition cost could be around $70 million. "If you were to leave the pylons up and the other basic elements of the structure, then you wouldn't incur the full costs," he said.

What do you think of the idea? Is this the best way to make use of the Scarborough RT when it finally retires?

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: Shervin Mandgaryan/blogTO Flickr pool.