Part 2 of a 5 part series.
August 23, 2013.
By Gordana Liddell
BURLINGTON, ON. Most established towns have a sense of belonging within. When a family moves in, it takes time for them to feel embraced; to feel like they are a part of the neighbourhood. But when an entirely new community is built, it is a struggle both ways to connect the old and the new. The whole city has to adapt to its mere existence, and the struggle to embrace it as a legitimate part of their town is very real. Often the older, more established part of the city isn’t really aware of the “newcomers” – they don’t travel to that part of town. After all, wasn’t it the long-time residents that helped to make the city what it is today?
Alton Village is here. They are loud and they are proud…and they have money. And they have a history they are proud to recognize. Relatively speaking, – it’s not cheap to live in Alton. The majority of the population in this new community is made up of young families. These up and comers have not “up and come” into their wealth. They have worked for it; they are new money. And because they are used to a payoff coming only from hard work, they can also bear the work of what they have to go through by living in a construction zone. Some old Burlingtonians may not have the will or even the pioneering spirit to go through that.
There was a time when the Village was basically a construction site – the skate park had not been constructed and the community centre wasn’t even a hole in the ground. That was then – this is now. City Hall staffer Cindy Mercanti points out what is going to go where in the new community
In older Burlington, the houses are older, the money is older, and sometimes the mentality is older. Often, these are good things. Bigger yards, interesting architecture, beautiful neighbourhoods, and solid traditions. But along with the old, sometimes comes old ways of thinking that are not good for anyone. There is none of that in Alton. And thank God for that. Inclusivity thrives in the village. The area is so much more cosmopolitan in nature, it is a pleasure to see. Kids are lucky to grow up in an area surrounded by this and to grow up not even knowing any different. The rest of Burlington could take a lesson here.
When construction on Alton Village began, it arose beyond Burlington’s previous urban border; extending north of what anyone had considered before to be “town”.
There is never any question as to where the Village starts – can’t say that for Headon or The Orchard now can you?
Mention Alton Village to residents to the south of Highway 5, and quite often the only reaction you’ll get is a confused look and a slight tilt of the head, suggesting disdain. “Where?” will be a frequent response.
Sometimes, though thankfully rarely, the response will be that of a sneer, accompanied with the explanation that “Real Burlington” lies south of Dundas. Seriously? The implication that living in Alton is the equivalent of living on the wrong side of the tracks is ludicrous. People have invested their life savings, and they certainly deserve to feel like a part of the city they moved into.
Nothing anywhere near something like this in any part of Burlington. Alton has charted new territory in the way neighbourhoods are developed. This set of buildings will house a Recreation Centre, a high school and a public library with a large series of parks right across the road.
At one point, any given area was considered “New Burlington”, wasn’t it? Some old timers even have the backward (and very wrong) idea that anything north of New Street is not the “real Burlington”. What an odd thing to think, and an even odder thing to want to be true. If people truly wanted their small towns to stay excruciatingly small, then they should perhaps have chosen to buy their home a touch further away from the Golden Horseshoe…one of the most continuously and densely populated bands of civilization in North America…because, guess what? It’s going to grow.
Perhaps because these cynics are afraid (ashamed) of their inability to think ahead, they must instead redirect their fear (anger) and focus on the originally established town line instead. Isn’t this kind of thinking sort of…provincial? Can we not liken Alton to a family that grows in size? Are the original members the best? Or the only “real” family members? A city is like a growing family is it not? If it does not feel like one, well…it should.
This phenomenon is not unique to Burlington. Ask any Miltonian and they can easily pinpoint the boundaries and differences between “New Milton” and “Old Milton”. Probe a little further and some residents of the latter group will undoubtedly use the term “Real Milton”.
Everything about Alton Village was going to be different. City council talked about modern, artistic looking bus shelters – how would this idea have fit into the community?
The expansion of a city always comes with growing pains. But there is no need for division. We should all relish the fact that when our city grows, there is more for all of us to see and do. Consider the influx of tax money, (Alton is no stranger to the Burlington tax scale), and the jobs created by the construction, the plazas, and not to mention what’s yet to come on Palladium Way. The facilities and parks in Alton are shiny and new and are for everyone in Burlington to use.
You’d think that the problem might be that we all get a little shy and apprehensive with the new and the unknown. But I don’t think it is. Altonites are not the shy new guys. They are worldly, educated, and, unlike many original Burlington residents, have moved before and are accustomed to change. There is a boldness about these residents. They are tough and wise. They have a pioneering spirit, embrace newness and bring a fresh energy to the city. It’s the rest of Burlington that needs to get accustomed to Alton, not the other way around.
Alton Village wasn’t much of a force in the 2010 municipal election; it was a collection of moving trucks but it didn’t take them very long to figure out how things worked and when there were problems with properties along one of the creeks they were quick to learn how to resolve their problem.
The Village has its own pub with entertainment that you don’t find “downtown”
The residents of Alton know how things work. They are experienced; many of them have lived in a new community previous to this one. They know what to expect. They moved into an area where everything was built and planned just for them: the library, schools, gigantic parks, a community centre, stores, pubs and restaurants they can walk to, and soon many residents will be able to walk to work. They are even getting their very own LCBO. Aldershot doesn’t even have one of those…but then, is Aldershot a part of “real Burlington”? I have nothing against Aldershot. Just trying to make a point here.
It takes time for “neighbours to reach a sense of comfort; for the newcomers as well as for the long-time residents.
A skate board park that is the envy of every part of the city. Burlington didn’t do things like this when they built Headon or The Orchard. Alton Village is getting a lot of goodies
The residents of Alton do need time to embrace their new surroundings. Some may not even explore what their own city has to offer, but instead go back to their old stomping ground. They might not go to the Burlington pools or parks in the summer, but trek back to Milton or Mississauga for a dip. Perhaps instead of shopping in their new town, they will go back to the malls that they know; back to the familiar and the comfortable. As soon as we all embrace the fact that urban Burlington now reaches north to the 407, we will begin to become a single city with plenty to offer one another. There is no need for division…we just need to get to know and appreciate one another.
And we can then all work to ensure that the Burlington we all are – stops at the 407-Higway 5 boundary and that the rural lands are a vital part of our city.
Everyone deserves to feel like they belong. Especially when they are at home.
Gordana Liddell is a writer. Her passion is travel. We were able to convince her to travel about the community that first got her to Burlington and to focus on where she and her husband decided to settle.
Liddell has written a five part series on the Alton Village. Part 1
