All posts by Ric Amis

Apply Now: Parkdale Community Gardens

Announcement, Community

There are 7+ community and pollinator gardens in Parkdale.

The following community gardens currently have plots available for Parkdale community members:

• Melbourne Parkette Garden – https://www.facebook.com/masarykfriends/

• Bonnie Storr Garden – 17Closeavegarden@gmail.com

• St Joe’s Community Garden – alyw5885@gmail.com

• West Lodge Community Garden – westlodgeparkcommunitygarden@gmail.com

You can learn about more community gardens in Parkdale on the Co-Design Parkdale map (https://commonspace.mysocialpinpoint.ca/directory#/), which has more details about each garden. Toggle on the right bar where it says Community Gardens, and they will appear on the map. If you are a gardener in Parkdale and would like to connect with other gardeners, please contact parkdalecommunitygrowing@gmail.com.

Cultural Districts Program Survey

Announcement

In response to community-based advocacy, the City of Toronto is moving ahead with the creation of a Cultural Districts Program. By bringing together resources, policy and new approaches, the Cultural Districts Program is intended to maintain the local culture of Toronto’s unique and vibrant communities while welcoming new community members and cultural expressions. Please take this brief Cultural Districts Program Citywide Survey and let them know what your priorities are for equitable and vibrant cultural districts like Parkdale.

CNE’s Invasion Redux Exhibition – April 21 – May 29

Announcement

Renowned Ukrainian artists, Mykola Zhuravel and Daria Tishchenko Zhuravel witnessed firsthand the turmoil and uprising that led to the ouster of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich during the 2014 Revolution, and the ongoing political tensions that have reached a boiling point with Russia’s hostile attack on Ukraine.

The multi-media exhibition poignantly transforms their memories of the uprising and its aftermath into vivid abstract portrayals – artworks, sculpture, photography and film – that encapsulate what it is like to live in the shadow of a hostile giant.

Throughout the Toronto exhibition, both Mykola Zhuravel and Daria Tishchenko Zhuravel will be working as Artists in Residence at the CNE’s Withrow Common Gallery. Guests can observe “art-in-the-making” as the two artists work on pieces.

Date: April 21 to May 29, 2022
Time: Thursdays & Fridays: 6 pm to 9 pm; Saturdays & Sundays: 12 pm to 5 pm
Location: 200 Princes’ Blvd., Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place

Tickets are pay what you can on Thursdays and Fridays and $15 + HST on Saturdays and Sundays. Net proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the UN Refugee Agency (Canada): Ukraine Emergency. Tickets are available HERE or in person at the gallery.  

Invasion Redux will be featured as a part of Doors Open Toronto with free admission on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29.

Parkdale Main Street HCD – Apr. 20

Announcement
It’s been 3 years since the residents of Parkdale have heard from the City about the Parkdale Main Street Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Plan. Once approved this plan will effect Queen Street in our community for decades to come. So getting it right is important to ALL Parkdalians.

City Planning is hosting a virtual Community Consultation Meeting on April 20th at 6:00 PM to seek community input and feedback on the draft Parkdale Main Street HCD Plan in advance of a staff report proceeding to the Toronto Preservation Board and City Council in June.

The Parkdale Main Street District includes ALL properties fronting Queen Street West from Dufferin Street to Macdonell Avenue/Jameson Avenue and includes several heritage properties along Cowan Avenue. Within the boundary of the HCD, there are 101 properties included in the City’s Heritage Register.

Please join the meeting on Wednesday, April 20th at 6:00 PM.
Join by computer or mobile phone please visit: https://tinyurl.com/parkdalehcdpublicmeeting
Join by phone: Call (416) 216-5643, when prompted, enter Access Code: 2632 600 3146

For more information on the HCD Plan and how to join the meeting please see the notice HERE.

Housing Accessibility Town Hall – Apr. 14

Announcement, Community

Join the Accessibility Housing Network and the City of Toronto Housing Secretariat staff to learn more about housing accessibility in the City and share your experiences.

Councillor Perks, along with the Accessible Housing Network and the City’s Housing Secretariat, would like to extend an invitation to a virtual town hall on housing accessibility.  Join us on April 14th at 6:00 PM to learn more about housing accessibility in the City and share your own experiences.

Please register at this link: https://bit.ly/AHN2022

Community Environment Day – Apr. 2

Announcement, Community

The City’s Community Environment Days are back! Join us Saturday, April 2nd at Sir Casimir Gzwoski Park (1751 Lakeshore Blvd West, east of Ellis Ave.) for our Environment Day.

Do your part to create a cleaner, greener and more liveable Toronto. Drop off reusable and recyclable items such as clothing, small appliances, non-perishable food items and electronics. You can also drop off household hazardous waste for safe disposal and pick up free compost for your garden. Click HERE for more details.

When: Saturday, April 2nd 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: Sir Casimir Gzowski Park, 1751 Lakeshore Blvd West

Here are the details for the COMPOST days:
•  Thursday, April 28th at Masaryk Cowan Community Centre (220 Cowan Ave.) 2:00 PM – while supplies last
•  Saturday, April 30th along Wabash Ave. 10:00 AM – while supplies last

Discover the STREET anew this Summer!

Announcement, Community

Spring has sprung, the sun is shining, and The Bentway is thrilled to announce their Summer 2022 season, STREET: a constellation of free art installations, roving performances, conversations, and celebrations that play out on our shared roadways, sidewalks, and public spaces.

The pandemic prompted cities around the world to reconsider the role of their streets. These familiar routes, previously reserved for vehicles, became sites for renewed improvisation, innovation, and action. People questioned what these spaces could do, and even the complex histories their names hold.

Running May 26 to August 21, STREET brings together artists, urban planners, educators, and changemakers from Canada and beyond, inviting the public to see the streets of Toronto anew – both under the Gardiner and beyond.

Phase 2 Hotel X Community Meeting – Mar. 22

Announcement

The new proposed addition to Hotel X located in the Exhibition Place grounds is progressing. This is the communities opportunity to see the current proposal for Phase 2: 30-storey, 382 suite hotel which is connected to a 7,000 seat venue that will host E-sports events, concerts and other large gatherings. A surface parking lot of 108 spaces is proposed.

Join the Virtual Community Consultation Meeting to provide feedback and hear the next steps for the application for site plan approval – Tuesday, March 22, 2022 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM.

Register to Join Online or by Phone:

Click HERE or Go to http://www.toronto.ca/cpconsultations Search for the address: 2 Strachan (Hotel X Phase 2),

Click “Register” in the Webex Meeting column Fill in the Registration form, including your email.

Check your email: you will receive an email from messenger@webex.com with links to join online, as well as a telephone number and access code if you prefer to call into the meeting under “Join the audio conference only”. Having trouble? Email Colin Wolfe at colin.wolfe@toronto.ca for help

Exhibition Place Community Meeting – Mar. 24

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

Exhibition Place is holding a virtual Community Liaison Consultation Meeting via Zoom on Thursday, March 24, from 6:00-8:00 PM. There are lots of things happening on the Exhibition Place grounds as we move away from Covid restrictions. This is your opportunity to receive updated information and comment regards these 192 acres directly South of our community. One strong interest for local residents in the catchment area around Exhibition Place would make the site more successful by animating the site 365-days per year and not focusing just on live events.

Connect to the Meeting on Zoom:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81024424101?pwd=dTVreXJLQXFzdVNrTUp0aVpZUzdJUT09

To join the meeting with audio-only call: 647-374-4685 or 647-558-0588 / Meeting ID – 810 2442 4101 / Meeting Passcode – 0

  1. Welcome and Introductions – Kelvin Seow
    • Co-Host – Peter Leon
    • Members of the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place • Exhibition Place Staff
  2. Update on the Gardiner Project – Parsons
  3. Meeting and Event Update – Judy Mahoney
  4. Bandshell Park and Centennial Park Activation Planning – Kelvin Seow
  5. Review Draft of the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan – Optimus SBR (Jesse Burns and Giulia De Lorenzis)
  6. Future format of the Community Liaison Consultation Meetings – Broadening the conversation – Kelvin Seow
  7. Questions (things to ask about – Phase 2 Hotel X, Festival Plaza, Garden of the Greek Gods, CNE, The Royal, Ontario Line, etc.)