Category Archives: Community

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.

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.