Category Archives: Community

Parkdale Queen Night Market – Aug. 27th

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

PARKDALE’s first community night market! Along the sidewalk stretch from Roncesvalles Ave. to Triller Ave. – including the outdoor lot at 1668 Queen Street West from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM – FREE ADMISSION

Parkdale Queen Night Market is the first community night market. An event to highlight and celebrate the diversity and inclusivity of the Parkdale neighbourhood and local businesses.

Enjoy the night with PARKDALE’s finest food, arts and live music. Over 100 + Parkdale local businesses to support, live music, food, drinks, fire dance show, free photobooth, free face paint, live print screen, food demo, and other table games activities. Event program here: https://www.blogto.com/events/parkdale-queen-night-market-toronto/

Community Meeting: Centennial Park Re-Design (Ex Place) – Aug. 10

Announcement, Community, Local Interest
Exhibition Place has scheduled a Community Meeting to discuss the Centennial Park re-design.

Date: Wednesday, August 10th, 2022
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
To join the meeting via your computer, use the link below.
Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 459 831 2282
Passcode: 32929
Dial in number: 647-558-0588
Please keep your microphone muted during the meeting until the floor is opened for questions.    

Meeting Program:  
Welcome and introductions – Kevin Seow – Chief People and Strategy Officer – Exhibition Place Centennial
Square Design Presentation –  Presented by Paul Marsala and Shadi Gilani from Studio Tla.
Community Consultation/ Feedback – Facilitated by Kelvin Seow Exhibition Place

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.

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.

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.)

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.