Urban green spaces have been proven to make healthier communities…..but so-called brown spaces, or vacant lots where buildings have either been demolished or destroyed by fire….can be a real eyesore and attract undesirable activity.
In Saint John, Common Councillor Shirley McAlary is advocating for a law that would make property owners responsible for grassing over vacant lots within a certain period of time if the lot isn’t being used for anything.
She says they are not parking lots but brown spaces and in some cases they were taken down by the owner or removed by fire.
In Ottawa and elsewhere in Canada, property owners have a legal responsibility to keep the grass on vacant lots trimmed and clear away any debris.
