Renowned Indigenous artist brings another masterpiece to the Annex
By Rose Haberer
Technicians apply the vinyl composition of Joseph Sagaj’s artwork titled Checkmate. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
Mural maestro Joseph Sagaj strikes the Annex community again with the powerful blow of his allegorical art. The mural, with all its vibrancy, sits atop the eroding steps of Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church and Centre for Faith, Justice and the Arts. Read more
October 15th, 2024 · Comments Off on GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: A report card on our parks (Summer 2024)
A plethora of Annex-area parks under scrutiny
Each year the Annex Gleaner reviews the many parks and parkettes in our coverage area using a variety of criteria. While there is no decisive “winner” of the grading, letter grades are assigned to convey the quality of the parks, considering aspects such as upkeep, design, and amenities. The reviews accompanying the grades also let the reader know what makes each space unique. This is the first instalment of reviews for 2024.Read more
August 19th, 2022 · Comments Off on GRADING OUR GREENSPACE (Aug. 2022)
The best and worst of the Annex’s parks
Compiled and photos by Fox Oliver
Every year the Annex Gleaner reviews the abundance of parks in the Annex using a variety of criteria.
While there is no decisive “winner” of the grading, letter grades are assigned to convey the quality of the parks considering aspects such as upkeep, amenities, and accessibility. Read more
July 18th, 2022 · Comments Off on NEWS: New mural celebrates Indigenous storytelling (July 2022)
Artwork weaves together stories of creation and coexistence
Joseph Sagaj with Elder and Knowledge Keeper Jacque Lavallee (Jacqui Lavalley) and Grandmother Donalda Ashkewe (Winnie Ashkewe). The 86-foot-long mural includes artistic contributions from Denise Aquash, Sonja Clarke, Larry M. Holder, and Mike Rowade (aka Ron Wild). COURTESY JOSEPH SAGAJ
PROPOSED: Developer’s rendering of the tower. COURTESY BDP QUADRANGLE
By Fox Oliver
A proposed 37-storey highrise in the heart of the Annex could drastically alter the Bloor and Spadina intersection. On November 8, 2021, developer First Capital proposed the construction of a building at 320, 328, and 332 Bloor St. W. Read more
May 17th, 2022 · Comments Off on CHATTER: Annex Residents’ Association AGM covers pressing issues (May 2022)
The ecological restoriation of Paul Martel Park (formerly Ecology Park) was one of the agenda items at the ARA’s AGM. The park is now home to a Bloor Annex BIA-sponsored mural created by First Nations artists led by local artist Joseph Sagaj. NEILAND BRISSENDEN/GLEANER NEWS
The Annex Residents’ Association (ARA) held their annual general meeting on April 21 via Zoom. Those in attendance included members of the ARA, residents and representatives from development teams, city council and Toronto Police Service. The most notable discussions were about improving safety on Avenue Road, the West Annex Heritage Project, vandalism at St. Alban’s Square and the restoration of Paul Martel Park. Read more
Thank you for the recent edition and in particular the area park reviews conducted by your writer Madeline Smart, I really loved the coverage of our parks. Read more
November 11th, 2021 · Comments Off on GRADING OUR GREENSPACE (Fall 2021)
Albeit small and with no playground infrastructure Gwendolyn MacEwan park is a great spot to stop and have a rest.
As part of the Gleaner’s annual area park reviews, here is Part Two. We grade each park and compare the score with the prior year. We look for amenities, trees, gardens, and cleanliness. We also tell you something you may not know about how the space got its name. Read more
A team of Indigenous workers are bringing Paul Martel Park back to life
Paul Richard (left) and Joseph Sagaj, part of a team of Indigenous gardeners, have been working tirelessly to bring Paul Martel Park (located on Madison Avenue, north of Bloor Street) back to its original vision. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
In this year’s installment of evaluating park spaces within the Gleaner’s catchment area, our observers noted the impressive revival of Queen’s Park North showing what a great city can do when it focuses its imagination and resources. The neglected Euclid Avenue Park, near Koreatown, shows what happens when these resources are withheld. Compiled by Mary An, Tanya Ielyseieva, and Nicole Stoffman.Read more
August 7th, 2020 · Comments Off on OBITUARY: Architect leaves indelibe marks (July 2020)
Martel was a planner and architect who turned parking into parks
Paul Martel (3rd from left) with his loyal band of Ecology Park volunteer gardeners. He saw the project as contributing to the greening and cohesion of the Annex. COURTESY MICKEY FRATERMAN
December 9th, 2019 · Comments Off on CHATTER: Park gets a haircut (Nov. 2019)
Brian Burchell/Gleaner News
After two Gleaner stories amplifying community concerns over the city’s neglect of Paul Martel Park (on Madison north of Bloor), city staff gave the green space a major clean-up and its long promised new sign. Residents are hopeful that park staff bring the planting beds back to life in the spring. Read more
