All posts by Ric Amis

Summer Youth Paddling Program

Announcement

SMALL WAVES YOUNG MINDS – Youth Summer Program (ages 7 to 15)

The ultimate youth paddling program in the heart of Parkdale. Youth will be introduced t a variety of paddle crafts including Outrigger Canoe, Kayak, and Stand Up Paddle Board. They will be taught foundational paddling skills and boat control for each craft. They will have the best instructor to participant ratio of 1:6.

Program Schedule (July 5 to Sept. 3)
Outrigger Canoe & Fitness Program – Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9 AM to 12:30 PM
Kayak and Stand Up Paddle Board – Tuesday & Thursday: 9 AM to 12:30 PM
All equipment including life jackets will be provided and sanitized before and after each use.

Learn more and register: sunnysidepaddlingclub.com/youth-program

Info Session for Seniors & Caregivers in Ward 4 – March 1

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

Join Councillor Perks on Tuesday, March 1st at 6:00 PM for a virtual/telephone information session for seniors and their caregivers! 

In collaboration with the City of Toronto Senior Services & Long-Term Care Division, Councillor Perks will be hosting a webinar to provide seniors and caregivers information on services available in Ward 4 and across the City. Learn about dental care for low-income seniors, deferring your property taxes, HomeShare (student tenant) program, food access programs, caregiver supports, and much more! This event is open to any interested individuals!

To join the session click this link: https://bit.ly/ward4seniors

To join by telephone: Dial: 416-915-6530 and enter the Access Code: 2459 520 5138 and
Password: 7364677 when prompted.

Please also be sure to check out the Directory of Services for Seniors & Caregivers in Toronto, available online or by request at our local Parkdale Public Library.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Perks office at councillor_perks@toronto.ca or the Senior Services & Long-Term Care Division at seniors@toronto.ca

FREE Tree-planting Opportunities to Parkdalians

Announcement, Community

Hey Parkdalians,

Are you feeling a little disconnected from nature and the ecosystem you live within? Over at Mission Green Toronto, they feel the solution is improving green spaces within the city. They are a group of local youth who are determined to grow tree canopy cover in Parkdale. 

Trees are indicators of a healthy ecosystem. Trees help absorb stormwater runoff and carbon and; provide green spaces for humans and critters in an urban environment. Having trees in a community has been proven to increase the quality of life on both an environmental and social dimension and; also property value. Trees help liven up that grey urban landscape. 

Mission Green Toronto will be offering free tree-planting opportunities to Parkdalians, which includes the following services:

• Helping you decide which species is appropriate for the land (front, side, backyard, etc.)

• Host virtual town halls during the week of February 20th to help answer any questions or concerns

• Deliver, plant and watch the tree grow into strong community landmarks with your help

If you are interested in having a free tree planted on your front or backyard, or if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to them at: missiongreentoronto@gmail.com.

FREE Covid-19 Rapid Testing Kits Available For At-Home Use

Announcement, Community

You can now get a FREE rapid testing kit for at-home use. Ontario will be distributing 5.5 million rapid antigen tests each week for eight weeks through pharmacy and grocery locations across the province, as well as through community partners in vulnerable communities. Here is a list of everywhere you can get free rapid tests. Use the search bar for a major street or store near you > https://www.ontario.ca/page/rapid-testing-home-use#locations.

340-376R Dufferin St. & 2 Melbourne Ave. – Feb. 16

Announcement, Local Interest

Toronto and East York Community Council (TEYCC) is asking for public input and review of a proposal in order to make recommendations on an application by Hullmark Developments Ltd for 340-376R Dufferin St. and 2 Melbourne Ave. to change the range of permitted employment uses on the site.

Detailed information regarding the proposal, including background information and material and a copy of the proposed Official Plan Amendment may be obtained by contacting Kirk Hatcher, Senior Planner at (416) 392-0481, or by e-mail at Kirk.Hatcher@toronto.ca. Information can also be found here > http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2022.TE31.4

If you wish to address the TEYCC directly, please register by email to teycc@toronto.ca or by phone at 416-392-7033, no later than 12:00 p.m. on February 15, 2022.

Fires on Laxton Ave.

Community, Local Interest

We are extremely concerned to hear of at least the third major fire on Laxton Avenue in Parkdale within a 1 year period. 

Laxton Avenue is a small street — approximately 210 meters long — south of Queen St. W. that runs east-west between Dowling Avenue and Jameson Avenue.  There is a mix of houses on the street and low-to-mid rise apartment buildings. 

In May 2021, there was a fire at the rooming house at 9 Laxton Avenue. Then on 2 December 2021, there was a fire at the Native Family Services residence at the northeast corner of Laxton Avenue and Dowling Avenue. Now, last night (17 January 2022), there was a fire at 4 Laxton Avenue. 
This is concerning for such a small street.

 There have also been several major fires elsewhere in Parkdale, including the January 2021 fire which displaced 12 men from a rooming house at 24 Callender Street; several apartment building fires on and near Jameson Avenue; and a significant fire at the southwest corner of Dowling Avenue and King Street West in December 2019.  

What is being done in terms of promoting fire prevention and fire safety in Parkdale? 

11 Brock Ave. (old LCBO) Update

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

City Council approved to lease the site at 11 Brock Ave. (at Noble St.) to a non-profit housing provider, yet to be determined, to develop and operate 40 affordable and supportive rental homes in a new 4-storey building.

The City and CreateTO have done additional due-diligence work on the site and they are now ready to proceed with the demolition of the existing building. Site activity will begin including construction crew and equipment on-site and installation of fencing mid-January.

Happy New Year Parkdalians!

Announcement, Community, Local Interest
Queen Street looking west from Dufferin in this 1898 view by photographer Josiah Bruce

As 2021 comes to an end, we want to thank you so much for supporting your community. This New Year’s Eve, the Executive from your Parkdale Residents Association wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy 2022. May it be a wonderful year for you.

We encourage you to give back to the community in any way that you can – whether it is donating non-perishable goods, volunteering in the community, or doing a good deed.

Here are just three suggestions of local groups doing good things: Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust, Parkdale Project Reads and Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre.

We wanted to share with you some of our highlights from 2021 that help build community…

Parkdale Hub Project (Queen W. & Cowan), West Queen West Area Study (Bathurst to Roncy), Parkdale Main Street Heritage District Study, new condo/rental developments along Queen West, King-Queen-Queensway-Roncesvalles (KQQR) intersection construction, Wabash Community Rec Centre development (Sorauren Park), Exhibition Place Master Plan, Ontario Place re-development, Laneway housing, greening Parkdale, affordable housing.

Very best wishes to ALL Parkdalians!!

Ontario Place Redevelopment – Dec. 14

Announcement, Community

On December 14, the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries is partnering with Infrastructure Ontario to host a virtual technical information session to share more information with the public on areas of work required to prepare the site for redevelopment.

At this upcoming Site Preparation Technical Information Session, the public will learn more about site preparation work that the province will be undertaking, including:

  • Environmental due diligence and approvals
  • Heritage conservation
  • Utility and site servicing replacement
  • Repairs to the Pods and Cinesphere
  • Design of the public realm

If you would like to join the Ministry’s event, here are the details:
Date: December 14, 2021

Time: 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Location: Zoom