Category Archives: Community

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

KQQR Intersection & Closure of King Street West

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

Starting the week of November 8, Queen Street West and Roncesvalles Ave. will reopen to through traffic at the intersection of King Street West, The Queensway, Queen Street West and Roncesvalles Ave. (KQQR). Once reopened, King Street West will close from Queen Street West to Wilson Park Road to allow for Stage 2 construction work. Travel lanes will continue to be reduced on The Queensway from the KQQR intersection to Parkside Drive; however, a minimum of one shared travel lane in each direction will be maintained at all times.

Greenest City Harvest Festival – Oct. 17

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

You are invited to join Greenest City’s annual Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 17th in the Milky Way Community Garden (87 Milky Way – behind the Parkdale Library). The event starts at 3 PM. You can find out the itinerary for the day HERE.

For years, the Harvest Festival has been a way for Greenest City to gather with neighbours, partners, friends, families and otherwise plant-obsessed Autumn frolickers to celebrate the season and offer gratitude for all of the energy and inspiration gleaned from this vibrant community. As with most community events in recent times, this will be a little different than in previous years to ensure that everyone is following COVID safety guidelines.

To maintain safety, they are asking that folks bring their masks and maintain social distance. They will have a limited capacity at the event to ensure that they are not overcapacity. 

To RSVP – please call 647 438 0038 or email sandra@greenestcity.ca

RentSafeTO for Tenants

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

RentSafeTO: Apartment Building Standards is a City bylaw enforcement program that ensures apartment building owners and operators comply with building maintenance standards. The program applies to apartment buildings with three or more storeys and 10 or more units.

Owners/operators of apartment buildings are required to register and comply with the City’s RentSafeTO program and undergo building evaluations at least once every three years. During evaluations, staff inspect common areas, mechanical and security systems, parking and exterior grounds.

Find out how to make a service request to your landlord, submit a complaint to the City, vital services (i.e. electricity, heat, water), indoor temperatures and air conditioning, and much more.

KQQR will be substantially re-opening – Oct. 28

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

The King/Queen/Queensway/Roncesvalles intersection will be coming back to our community (almost) by October 28th (fingers crossed).

Area residents and businesses can expect the following changes on this day:

• Queen Street West will re-open between the KQQR intersection and Triller Avenue, and on-street (metred) parking will be restored

• Roncesvalles Avenue will open at the KQQR intersection

• King Street West will close at the KQQR intersection to Wilson Park Road (most on-street parking will remain in place).