Toronto Park Summit this coming Saturday May 12th, the junctioneer blog will be posting updates from the event all day

Organized by Park People, on Saturday, May 12 at the Brickworks, starting at 1 p.m. Keynote speaker is Robert Hammond, co-founder of the famed High Line elevated park in Manhattan.

You can attend - Registration is free (and/or PWYC) but space is limited.

Click here to register







Pls remember to uses www.junctioneer.ca to visit this blog.

High Park Jamie Bell - Councillor Sarah Doucette posts letter from Director Forestry, Parks, Forestry Richard Ubbens

Full text

April 4, 2012
Councillor Sarah Doucette

Ward 13 Parkdale High Park 100 Queen Street West
2nd Floor, Suite C46


Dear Councillor


Thank you for forwarding this message to me. I would just like to take the opportunity to clarify the situation and the steps Parks, Forestry and Recreation are taking to rebuild the playground in High Park as soon as possible. I was able to address most of these issues at the public meeting on April 2 at Swansea Town Hall, but feel free to share this with other members of the community who may not have been able to attend.



First, we are pleased to report that offers of donation have been pouring in since the tragic fire. The day after the fire, Canadian Tire stepped forward with a very generous cash donation that will cover the vast majority of the cost of replacing the play structure. Since then, many others have donated or expressed interest in helping out, including some of the members of Landscape Ontario, who have offered various supports – materials, expertise, and time.


We have had ongoing discussions with the Landscape Ontario members, including Adam Bienenstock of Natural Playgrounds. While there isn't a lot of detail about the elements of their offer, it is clear that their generous donations would primarily be enhancements to the site, rather than help to reconstruct the playground. It was also clear that many of the donors would have liked the opportunity to utilize the materials they had on display at Canada Blooms. We informed them by e-mail on March 26th that we were grateful for their generous offer, but that we would need to time to plan and consult with the community before commencing work on the site.


With regard to Mr. Bienenstock's message, we have been clear with him and all potential donors to this project that the City always engages in a process of consulting with the local community and ensuring what we build both meets the needs of the community and complies with environmental regulations.

We have worked with him on another project in one of our parks and have had several discussions with him over the years in order to share information about the City's partnership requirements and processes. I am confident that the generous donors involved in Landscape Ontario will make a valuable contribution to the rebuild effort, even though the timelines are a bit longer than they originally expected.

Our priority moving forward is to rebuild the playground structure as quickly as possible, starting with developing designs that can be shared with the community for feedback. We will be working in consultation with your office to gather feedback from the community on those designs, and to incorporate as many of the generous donations we've received into the project. We also need to address some of the drainage and safety issues the community has raised, while respecting that this is a designated ravine area and sensitive ecosystem. This process will take some time, but we want to get the rebuild right.


Let me know if you have any questions. Sincerely,


Richard Ubbens


Director Forestry, Parks, Forestry & Recreation
c: Graham Mitchell, Manager Public Relations & Issues Management, GM's Office, PFR Helen Sousa, General Supervisor, Parks, PFR
File

PDF version of text

Location:McMurray Ave,Toronto,Canada

Calamity 13, city decides it cannot move fast enough to accept 300 thousand dollar Jamie Bell fire donations.

Offer of a $300,000 new High Park playground stumbles at city hall... Ouch


Yes public consultation is necessary for the rebuild of the play structure of the Jamie Bell Playground.

This blog would bet that the planned High Park residents association Monday April 2nd will be packed. Probably it should be viewed as the initial community consultation meeting by the local council members for wards 13 and 14. Both sets of members could assist and give support to city staff to classify this meeting as a community consultation.

City staff are skilled at understanding the mechanisms of city regulations, usually much better than the elected persons.

Fact: After the last city workers strike, city staff expedited all the permits for host of arts festivals and council member motions of support were passed in days.

To cover the thoughts and opinions of all recently concerned staff and the council
members could attend any other community meetings, to ensure voices are heard.

Really is it not reasonable to think the entire community is aware of the situation, and views it as a community priority.

In all of this, just look at the excellent and smart work the High Park RA is doing about this issue, let's all go to the meeting and support them.

Here is an outtake from their opinions and activities from the Toronto Star article.

But Jeff Derksen, chair of the High Park Residents’ Association, said his group and the companies already held one consultation meeting, attended by some 80 people on 24 hours’ notice, and expected 200 at another meeting they scheduled. They also organized four brainstorming sessions with local children.

“I understand that the city would like to follow a process it knows well internally. I personally don’t understand why there wouldn’t be a process exception given the exceptional nature of the generosity that’s being offered by people whose work this is,” Derksen said.

News of the city’s decision spread Friday via a Facebook group dedicated to the rebuilding effort. One resident called it “sad and heartbreaking.” Wrote another: “Foolish bureaucracy!”


Link to complete article on the Toronto star site

Midsummer Night's Dream (1967 HIgh Park Toronto) Wessel Couzijn images

 

 

Pictured here is the completed work  Midsummer Night's Dream - by Wessel Couzijn the artist who in the late 60's produced the sculptures in the NW quad of High Park - near the nature school.

 

Following the completed work image are a few images taken during the construction of the work,

[caption id="attachment_10226" align="aligncenter" width="472" caption="image source - Outdoor Art in Toronto website click image to visit"][/caption]

 

Click on any of the gallery images to see original full size image

 

[gallery columns="2"]

Motoring traffic at High Park Zoo - Historic Images

 

More noise needs to made about the possible closure of the zoo out side of the near by wards. In hopes of  providing a little emotional attachment the blog went searching for some  interesting images of the people enjoying the zoo.



 

original title of above image
Title: The High Park Zoo is a favourite stopping place for motor parties, especially if there are any kiddies along. The roadway any afternoon is lined with high class cars as well as tin lizzies.
Date: [1919]
Link to record

 

[caption id="attachment_10202" align="aligncenter" width="443" caption="[1908? Fonds 1244, Item 1557 Fonds 1244; William James family fonds Click image to visit record"][/caption]

High Park Residents' Association next meeting Feb. 9 at Coffee & All That Jazz, 72 Howard Park Ave

 

Held and adopted by councilor today Official Plan, for the lands at 1844-1854 Bloor Street West; 35-37 Pacific Avenue; and, 6-14 and part of 18 and 18a Oakmount Road

and adopted  

Recommendations held today
The City Planning Division recommends that:

 

1. City Council amend the Official Plan, for the lands at 1844-1854 Bloor Street West; 35-37 Pacific Avenue; and, 6-14 and part of 18 and 18a Oakmount Road substantially in accordance with the draft Official Plan Amendment attached as Attachment 6 – Draft Official Plan Amendment to the report dated December 16, 2011.

2. City Council amend Zoning By-law 438-86, for the lands at 1844-1854 Bloor Street West; 35-37 Pacific Avenue; and, 6-14 and part of 18 and 18A Oakmount Road substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment 7 to the report dated December 16, 2011.

3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Official Plan Amendment and draft Zoning By-law Amendment as may be required.

4. Before introducing the necessary Bills to City Council for enactment, City Council require the owner to enter into an Agreement pursuant to Section 37 of the Planning Act satisfactory to the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division, and the City Solicitor, such agreement to be registered on title to the lands at 1844-1854 Bloor Street West; 35-37 Pacific Avenue; and, 6-14 and part of 18 and 18a Oakmount Road, in a manner satisfactory to the City Solicitor to secure the following matters at the owner's expense

and adopted

Sides of buildings along west Annette St.

From Clendenan Ave on this author has noted a rather interesting feature created by the wide difference of building types and the setbacks used on the various lots on both the north and south sides of the street.

Coupled with Annette streets wide roadway and rather long vista view to Jane St. The sides of many buildings can be seen. A wide variety of buildings facades and design choices can be seen, much of this variety can contributed to the first use of the building.

Here are a few of building sides.





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

Budget with Councillors Perks and Doucette Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 from 7 pm - 9 pm at the Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton School (1515 Bloor Street West)

 

Councillors Perks and Doucette (Ward 1) are holding roundtable meetings hosting on the upcoming City of Toronto Budget.

The Councillors are saying the meeting is a workshop with residents and community leaders about how to protect and build the essential services which make Toronto great. Topics to include city services and delivering and funding same.

Date: Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 from 7 pm - 9 pm

Place: Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton School (1515 Bloor Street West), in the 3rd floor staff room.

They want people register though Councillor Perks' Office. by e-mailing councillor_perks@toronto.ca or calling 416-392-7919.

West local city land sell off - 1978 Lake Shore Boulevard West & Part of 2000 Lake Shore Boulevard West – Ward 13

The City of Toronto Council is today (Tuesday 29th) receiving a report from the City of Toronto's Chief Corporate Officer about the transfer (read sale) of what it is determining as surplus Lands to Build Toronto. Built Toronto is an arm of the City of Toronto that acts as a  real estate and development corporation for the city. Over the next couple of weeks the blog is going to highlight each of the areas in the local west end.

1st off the old Joy gas station land in Ward 13.

As part of cities make money plan by selling off public land  City Council plans to sell  in Ward 13 a plot in the  middle land between   The Queensway , the Lake Shore Boulevard West and the waterfront.

This site which has already been deemed surplus is now for sale.

Yet what about not selling it and having the community gain from its retention.

proposition idea 1.   Waylay park for the journey to the waterfront from the rest of ward 13.

Most people know the disturbing feelings of danger and just annoyance  that can  brought on crossing  The Queensway and the Lake Shore Boulevard West to gain access to the lakefront park lands and then again back up into the bulk of the ward.

Using this small plot as a Parkette to "join up" the waterfront to the rest of Ward 13 can be proposed with the benefits of providing rest parkette for the crossing of two busy 6o kl. speed roads and the travel under a rather unpleasant bridge. Creating the parkette would ease the travel on this route for disabled persons. Would contribute to the councils claim to be making Toronto in a city within a park.

proposition idea 2. Simply give the land to good community non-profit such as the earlier planed Fred Victor centre which  is a social services organization that fosters long-lasting and positive change in the lives of homeless and low income people living all across Toronto.

 

[caption id="attachment_9507" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Current Google image of site"][/caption]

 

 

 

[caption id="attachment_9508" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="City Rational for selling the land, the make money issue is omitted by the staff writer"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_9511" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The view looking west now Google image Nov. 2011"][/caption]

 The cities own concerns about use of the plot.

Uses and issues of the subject property from the city reports...

1.

2.

3.

 

 

[caption id="attachment_9523" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Take a look whats the best use Park - rotating art park - condo - fast food - ?"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_9521" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The blog could not find a sale price"][/caption]

 

package download PDF link

1978 - 2000 LakeshoreBlvW_ sales Flyer from city hired realtor

Pages from backgroundfile-37550 concerning 1978 Lake Shore Boulevard West

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ALL TURNOVER AGREEMENTS to Build Toronto

 

Wonderful park furniture

 

...really there are no words need to describe how perfect this work is , the piece becomes  a self contained shelter and community place in this setting.

 

[caption id="attachment_9372" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Constructed from thick folded steel drawn, shaped and fabricated with painstaking accuracy, this bold red structure is an enigmatic resting and conversation point - Design: sixteen*(makers) at The Bartlett UCL"][/caption]

Rabble.ca article on High Park Indian mounds (very detailed)

Much progress has been achieved during the summer of 2011 in the work to preserve the Snake Mound, one of 57 remaining ancient Iroquoian burial mounds in Toronto's High Park in danger of destruction from BMX bike activity. In April, a meeting was set up between the Taiaiako'on Historical Preservation Society [2](THPS) and Toronto City Councillor Sarah Doucette where she was presented with information about the Snake Mound, and that the City of Toronto's main archeologist Ron Williamson, who is working under a suspended license [3]. (This situation appears to have arisen because the license was not renewed, something that practicing archeologists are compelled to keep up with. The documentation of his license situation has been sent out to city officials by the THPS but the question has never been clarified as to the current state of his credentials, and it has not been denied. The Taiaiako'n Historic Preservation Society has a file which they claim shows that Williamson doesn't have a license, but most of this information does not exist online.)

Doucette said she would research the issue and then respond, however, there was no subsequent contact.

(Blog note: read full article for her efforts to find another area in the park for the BMX bikes)

In May, a group of residents local to High Park was formed called the Friends Of Snake Mound (FOSM) [4] to support the work done by the THPS. In the late spring, the two groups hosted an information event at Tinto's coffee house that garnered a flurry of media attention both good and bad. The mainstream media perpetuated the lack of scientific rigor and ethical handling of the situation by the city and Toronto Parks Board by parroting the position that there is no archeological site at Snake Mound [5].

Fortunately there was one point of agreement: that the BMX activity was destroying the natural environment. While many members of the BMX community have acknowledged the special environmental and historical value of the site, many others remain intransigent. Despite concerns within the Snake Mound-support community as to whether further changes in the landscape might adversely affect the site, it became evident that taking down the ramps was the only way to stop the greater danger of cycling. In order to see the site repaired, the Parks Board agreed that THPS could direct the dismantling of the bike ramps and reconstruction of the mound.


Complete article here

Hilary Bell gathering in the Junction, Saturday September 17, 2011 from 2 to 5 PM

Re-posted from a comment on this site, Thanks Sean for the info

 

Hilary Bell passed away  September 2011.

To celebrate her life there will be a gathering of friends and family in our neighborhood on

Saturday September 17, 2011 from 2 to 5 PM.

Hilary loved Pilates and spent many mornings and evenings at the studio. We felt it would be fitting to have the event there.

“The Loft Pilates Studio” ,
396 Pacific Avenue, suite 201, Toronto M6P 1Z2.

Snacks and drinks will be served.

Your presence would be much appreciated.

 

For some information on her contributions to your community please see this link  to the Junction Triangle site 

High Park Zoo its possible loss not causing any uproar?

 

A quick Google search results in a multitude of save Riverdale farm efforts, while a save High Park Zoo results in a Inside Toronto article and a Facebook page (great effort with around 1400 friends).

It is surprising with the new baby boom in the area over the past few years, more parents in the area would not be protesting the potential closing of the zoo.  Typically, on the weekend it is a "zoo" there with all of the families and tourists visiting the resident animals.  Is the community just unaware of the threatened closure or are people ready to see the High Park Zoo go?

a few images from the park zoo today...

[gallery]

 

 

 

Peggy Nash for a Canada Day BBQ in High Park from 12-2 on Friday July 1st

...from the Parkdale High-Park Member of Parliaments office

Join Parkdale High-Park Member of Parliament Peggy Nash for a Canada Day
BBQ in High Park from 12-2 on Friday July 1st.

There will be performances, community information tables and activities for all ages.
We will be located in the north end of the park, in Picnic Area 1 near the
Bloor Street entrance, close to High Park subway.

 




 

Bikeway Network - 2011 Update 1st consideration June 23 2011

 

This item will be considered by Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on June 23, 2011. It will be considered by City Council on July 12, 2011, subject to the actions of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.

The Acting General Manager, Transportation Services, recommends that:

 

1.         City Council endorse the direction and implementation of the Mayor's Bike Plan comprising a 100 km network of off-street bike trails and completion of critical on-street bike lane connections where the community supports them....

and where they do not impede traffic flow.

 

two areas where  they are in consideration in the greater wards 11,12,13,14 and greater Junction are...

 

3.         City Council approve modifications to the bicycle lanes on Dupont Street at the approach to the intersection with Lansdowne Avenue, to move the beginning of bicycle lanes from a point 30 metres east of Lansdowne Avenue to a point 70 metres west of Lansdowne Avenue.

 

4.         City Council provide direction regarding the installation of approved bicycle lanes on Bloor Street West, from Mill Road to Beamish Drive.

full report PDF link Bikeway Network - 2011 Update.pdf

 

Background Information

(June 9, 2011) Report and Appendices 1 to 7 from the Acting General Manager, Transportation Services, on Bikeway Network - 2011 Update (http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2011/pw/bgrd/backgroundfile-38906.pdf)

Source: Toronto City Clerk at www.toronto.ca/council via Sarah Doucette @DoucetteWard13

 

 

Annette fun fair this weekend

[caption id="attachment_7760" align="aligncenter" width="475" caption="Annette PS fun Fair this weekend"][/caption]

Parkdale-High Park Councillor Bill Saundercook's annual Community Environment Day

Parkdale-High Park Councillor Bill Saundercook's annual Community Environment Day takes place this Saturday, June 19 in a new location: Etienne Brule Park, east of the Humber River from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Do your part to create a cleaner, greener and more livable Toronto. Bring used or unwanted household items to the Community Environment Day. Items available for purchase include: backyard composter ($15), green bin ($18), kitchen container ($5), indoor water efficiency kit ($10) and rain barrel ($85).

full article at insidetoronto.com

200 Annette Street – Czechoslovak Church conversion to condos counts eight

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="The current situation"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_6489" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="developers rendition of the Annnete St elevation "][/caption]



I thought before I wrote anything about this I'd ask for opinions on the development.

What do you think of the side of the church facing Annette changing so much?

Are eight units too many?

Is the loss of another Annette St church an issue?

Developer Link

Thanks to Martin L co-chair of the Junction Residents  Association for alerting this to the blog.

Runnymede Healthcare Centre at ground level

Images from this past weekend of the Runnymede Healthcare Centre old building demo



Sure looks different St Johns Rd, and it all happened so fast.