December 23rd, 2023 · Comments Off on FOCUS: Grading our Greenspace (Dec. 2023)
Compiled by Alexa Méndez
Rejuvinated Queen’s Park looking north. MIA KESKINEN/GLEANER NEWS
Each year the Annex Gleaner reviews the abundance of parks 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.Read more
October 19th, 2022 · Comments Off on GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Third and final instalment (Oct. 2022)
Part 3 of the Gleaner’s greenspace reviews
Compiled by Marisa Kelly, photos by Hailey Alexander
Continuing from the August & September editions we review area parks and assign a letter grade. Park amenities, tree coverage, seating and waste management all go into the evaluations each year.Read more
September 9th, 2020 · Comments Off on NEWS: Residents reject plans for Planetarium site (Aug. 2020)
New plans fail to quell concerns
Residents and the University of Toronto continue to clash over the design of the building that will replace the planetarium. This is the latest rendering. COURTESY U OF T
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
Sue Dexter (left), with Jessica Bell, has championed the preservation and greening of Harbord Village and worked tirelessly to better the community. COURTESY JESSICA BELL
This article is the second in a series about local residents making a difference in our community. These unsung heroes were brought to The Gleaner’s attention by MPP Jessica Bell, who honoured them at her Annual Community Celebration, in December of 2019.Read more
July 16th, 2019 · Comments Off on GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Open spaces in the heart of the Annex (Summer 2019)
Lots of places for ambling with a dog, playing sports, or watching the world go by
This is our first set of park reviews for 2019. The Annex and its surroundings are blessed with a rich array of green space — much of it under the umbrella of city parks. We grade them here, every year using many parameters. Many a venue to run your dog, laze away a day, grab a seat in the sunshine, or shade, push a child on the swing set, the Annex has it all.Read more
August 1st, 2017 · Comments Off on GRADING OUR GREENSPACE (JULY 2017): Open spaces in the heart of the Annex
Lots of places for ambling with a dog, playing sports, or watching the world go by
PHOTO BY GEREMY BORDONARO/GLEANER NEWS: There’s lots for kids to do at the recently renovated Margaret Fairley Park, where the installation of a new wading pool and seating area is almost complete. The revitalized park has a determined Muskoka feel to it that might strike some as a bit too sterile.
June 15th, 2016 · Comments Off on Green sanctuaries in the heart of the city
Annual parks survey returns
Upkeep, or lack thereof, marks the return of our popular Grading our Greenspace feature. Published in two parts, we visit parks in our coverage area and review them based on cleanliness, amenities, and atmosphere. Our round-up reflects a mixed bag: some parks continued to be great, while others seem to have dipped further into mediocrity. Unkempt parks, with uncut grass, poorly maintained amenities, and dying flowerbeds, are a major complaint among park users, something that shouldn’t be difficult to address. With greenspace at a premium in our neighbourhoods, our parks have become more important than ever. What our reviews demonstrate is that parks, when well maintained, are thriving community hubs. We’ll publish our second part in the July edition and look forward to your comments, whether they be on parks or on our reviews. All reviews and photography were done by Geremy Bordonaro and Emily Rea.Read more