Layton helps forge a compromise for cheesecake purveyor

By Nabahat Hussain and Juan Romero 

After a lengthy dispute with the Harbord Village Residents’ Association (HVRA), the recently opened “LeTao Sweets” bakery is up and running with tentative plans for a patio next summer.

The bakery’s owner, Alex Lau, opened LeTao this past month at the north-west corner of Brunswick Avenue and College Street. 

His initial proposal for a patio at LeTao was shut down by the HVRA. His second proposal got the city’s approval, with some compromise. 

Lau says he still feels some uncertainty about the future of the patio and confusion about why the proposal was denied in the first place.  

“It was frustrating and disappointing because we opened up the discussion with the HVRA by providing them with the hard copy of the plan, but we’ve been shut out,” Lau said. “We still don’t understand the reasoning behind their initial opposition.”

Lau was advised by councillor Mike Layton’s office to seek support from at least 60 per cent of the residents within immediate proximity of the restaurant. He claims to have gained 80 signatures as of May 7, and said that many neighbours have dropped by to voice their support for the patio. 

The agreement finally came on May 22 at a community council meeting between councillor Mike Layton, the proponent (Lau), the Municipal Licensing Services (MLS), and the city’s transportation division which looks after assigning such spaces for commercial use.

Rory (Gus) Sinclair, the co-chair of the HVRA, said that the association was not involved directly in the agreement, but they did sign off on it. Sinclair also mentioned that the negotiation process was slowed down because the owner of LeTao was involved with the press. 

“The councillor had been trying to negotiate with the proponent, and while we were in the middle of negotiations the proponent went to the press. We don’t negotiate in the press, so we waited to make the deal and then spoke about it,” says Sinclair. 

There were sixteen conditions the city asked of the proponent including the design of the patio, the public space, and the inclusion of green spaces. 

The patio’s design and shape must provide at least 2.13 metres of sidewalk clearance. Between Oct. 31 and Apr. 15, the patio will have to be opened and shared with the public, as an un-enclosed space. Finally, the owner of the establishment will have to come up with a landscaping plan for the patio, which must include the retention of the already existing healthy trees that are in front of the café. 

Alex Lau has to implement the recommended landscaping plan no later than April 2020. However, the current patio can be operational until the deadline. 

With regard to the back and forth arguments before coming to an agreement, Lau says that he understands the residents’ association just needs the neighbourhood a certain way. “There is no conflict or grudges, they came by for ice cream!” Lau said. 

The legacy of Ted Winick

By Meribeth Deen

You might not have ever met Ted Winick, but you’ve likely walked by the Bloor Street, and formerly Bathurst Street, location of his business, the Spirit of Math, and his passion project, the Chess Institute of Canada. As they mourned his passing in early June, Winick’s friends and colleagues reflected on his dedication to community as well as his use of chess as a tool to bring people together and teach life’s most important lessons.

“When he was playing with a kid, he’d always ask, are you willing to take responsibility for that move?” recalls his old friend and former city councillor Joe Mihevc. “Ted’s pedagogy and perspective of life all boiled down to what happened on the chess board: use your brain, take responsibility, and find a strategic way around the obstacles you encounter, because there are bound to be obstacles.”

As Marcus Wilker, the current director of operations at the Chess Institute of Canada recalls, Winick didn’t play in tournaments, didn’t actively try to improve his game, and wasn’t known for his skill as a player.

“He was great at welcoming people, he’d sit down and play with anyone,” says Wilker. “As Ted’s wife, Heidi, can confirm, he’d always pack a chess board with him on vacations. He’d wait for a game and inevitably find one. He’d get to know whoever he played. For Ted, chess was all about relationships.”

Winick’s involvement with kids and chess started at his son’s school chess club, and from there he went on to put together the Annex Chess Club. Wilker says that in 2010 there were no chess clubs in downtown Toronto. A planning committee came together to organize a club, and Ted volunteered to find a space and run it.

“One of his strengths was definitely bringing people together,” says Wilker. “He had a special talent for  giving people ownership and involvement of a project, and making the work really satisfying. We were all really inspired by Ted’s dedication.”

Wilker adds that Winick was also set on making the club as diverse as possible.

“He’d say – chess is for everyone!” recalls Wilker. “Although Toronto is diverse, people often tend to get segregated. Ted went out of his way to make the club as welcoming as possible to newcomers, even if they didn’t speak the same language. Chess was the common language. Of course, if someone showed up who didn’t speak much English, Ted would find someone who spoke their language.”

Today, the Annex Chess Club has 40–50 tournament players who meet every week, plus a dozen or so adults and children taking classes.

Mihevc also has fond memories of Winick’s entrepreneurial spirit.

 “He could really hustle and muscle, but it was never for himself,” says Mihevc. “If I was hosting an event where I needed lots of tables and lots of people, I would call Ted. He never said no, and he’d bring an almost life-sized chess board. He’d play with anyone, any kid, that came along.”

Mihevc recalls that Winick had a way of getting other people on board with his ideas.

“His kids went to Oakwood Collegiate, and at one point there was some kind of class trip coming up. Ted wanted to do something to make sure every kid could afford to go, so he bought a giant crate of oranges and got people to sell them to raise money. This is how he got a local councillor to become his agent selling oranges. Really, a lot of what drove him was a strong sense of public good.”

Megan Shaw met Winick when she applied for a job with his Spirit of Math schools.

“I didn’t get the job, but I hit it off with Ted and his wife, Heidi,” says Shaw. “I was new to the city, and I found it big and intimidating. Everyone kind of kept to themselves, except Ted. Ted seemed to interact with everyone. I was really awe-struck by that.”

Later on, after Shaw had attempted to launch her own business, Ted stepped in to help out.

“He said, why not start a non-profit? And he helped me put the pieces in place to make that happen,” recalls Shaw. “I had just finished up my Bachelor of Education when I met him, so I knew so many administrators and teachers, but Ted was by far the person who was most passionate about education. He was in love with community, and he believed that education should be tied to community. I think that’s why the Chess Institute was so important to him. He loved math and strategy games, language and words – education for education’s sake.”

While his business, the Spirit of Math, works mostly with kids already considered to be high-achieving, the Chess Institute was created to connect with students from the tougher neighbourhoods and backgrounds, and teach the life skills required to improve their circumstances.

“He was never looking for the next grandmaster,” says Wilker. “And he’s left us with a clear sense of his mission, which we will work hard to carry forward now that he’s gone.”

New building plan clears hurdles at Committee of Adjustment

By Juan Romero

The Committee of Adjustment at the City of Toronto and the Annex Residents’ Association (ARA) have approved the latest changes proposed for the New Estonian Cultural Centre. The new centre, to be located in the Annex, will replace the current building, located on Broadview Avenue.

The Estonian Centre’s project committee had submitted eight minor changes to the design of the building. These changes, which included adjustments to the building’s eight and parking, were well received by neighbours.

“In the latest proposal we liked the design and we were in favour of the changes. We think it will be really beneficial for the Estonian community,” says Sandra Shaul, the chair and director of the ARA.

The three-storey building will be located on Madison Avenue, where the Green P parking is located, which is very close to the Estonian Tartu College.

The new centre will be used by the Estonian Credit Union, the Estonian Choir, and Estonian schools and it will be occasionally rented out to third parties as well. Public events such as Estonian events and celebrations will also take place there.

Despite the wide approval for the development of the centre, the Estonian Vice-Consul in Toronto, Tom Heinsoo, says the community is divided on the project.

“Some people in the community thought it would be better to spend the money on the existing house on Broadview and renovate the current building,” says Heinsoo, who adds that he is in favour of the creation of a new centre. “I do think the majority of people realize that it wouldn’t be financially logical to renovate the old building since it would cost a small fortune to bring it up tomodern standards.”

According to the Estonian Centre’s due diligence report, the Madison Avenue project is set to cost approximately $25 million. Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2020.

Despite Premier Doug Ford’s announcement that some of his proposed funding cuts are being reversed, cuts to Kensington Market’s St. Stephen’s Community House remain intact.

The overdose prevention site in Kensington is still seeking approval for provincial funding because donations alone are not sustainable for the long-term operation of St. Stephen’s. There are now enough donations for the site to keep running until December 31 according to St. Stephen’s Executive Director, Bill Sinclair. 

St. Stephen’s has added two hours of much-needed service recently due to generous donations. To support St. Stephen’s, donations are still welcome at www.sschto.ca.

—Nabahat Hussain/Gleaner News

The farmers’ market at Bloor and Borden returns to the Annex the first week of June and will be open every Wednesday from 3-7 pm until the last week of October. Look for the Green P parking lot just south of Bloor and you’ll catch sight of the action.

This year the market will feature some new prepared-food vendors and will also see a lot of returning vendors. Shoppers can expect to see strawberries mid-June, blueberries by the end of July, and peaches by August. The long winter of sad-looking imported fruits and veggies will soon come to an end! 

The future is uncertain for farmers’ markets in the province as the model depends on provincial funding. Farmers’ markets bring fresh local produce to urban areas. They put more money into the pockets of farmers, and help city slickers connect to the food they eat. By supporting a local farmers’ market, patrons are sending a message that they care about the plight of farmers and about the environment, and want to put their money where their mouths are. This year, it is more important than ever to show support to farmers. 

Did you know that all farmers must be vetted by Farmers’ Market Ontario? Every farmer has had their farm inspected and provided proof that they planted crops themselves. Re-sellers are not welcome at the Bloor Borden Market. 

Cooked food vendors need to buy their produce (where possible) from farmers. Though Ontario doesn’t grow much wheat, when you buy a kale and squash pie you can be assured that the kale and squash came from an Ontario farmer. 

—Terru Chu/Gleaner News

READ MORE:

• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (May 2019)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Spring 2019)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How nice (December 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (City Election 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (October 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How nice (Aug./Sept. 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Summer 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (July 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Election Special 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (May 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Spring 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Mar. 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Dec. 2017)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON How nice! (August 2017)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON How nice! (July 2017)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: how nice! by blamb (June 2017)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: TCHC (May 2017)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: The Grand Tory (April 2017)
• FORUM: Celebrating 20 years of cartoonist Brett Lamb (April 2017)

A recent poll confirms that Doug Ford’s favourability ratings are falling hard and fast. His level of support is lower than Kathleen Wynne’s was at the end of her tenure, lower, as the president of Mainstreet Research Quito Maggi says, than any incumbent premier has ever seen this soon after being elected. 

Mainstreet asked voters what choice they would make if there were an election today and 39.9% (+13.9% since April) approved of interim Liberal leader John Fraser. 

If Toronto Mayor John Tory were leading the party, the poll says the Liberals would do even better.

In response to the news of his government’s trouble and getting booed off stage at public events, Ford has axed his most prominent cabinet ministers. Just two months after delivering a miserly budget, Finance Minister Vic Fedeli is dumped. 

After a series of blunt and insensitive efforts to push through an ill-conceived plan to change the way autism programming is delivered, Lisa McLeod finds herself demoted from the head of Children, Families and Social Services to minister of tourism. 

Caroline Mulroney is relieved of her post as attorney general over cuts to Legal Aid Ontario which will, by definition, target the most vulnerable. Lisa Thompson loses the chair of education minister after clashing with school boards over cuts that will lead to larger classes sizes, saying it would make students more resilient. Nice. 

It would be optimistic to think this shuffle indicated some kind of shift in the government’s approach, but are these ministers actually the problem? Ford’s government is deeply centralized, and its agenda is nothing short of insane. 

We can’t blame the ministers for failing to carry out his edicts, but we can blame them for failing to stand up to their leader and his hand-picked team of staff.

Premier Ford must sense that his attempt to rebrand his government falls short, just a little. 

He skipped all of the external appointment processes and recommended several insiders for lucrative jobs, including a 26-year-old named Tyler Albrecht to the post of Ontario’s agent-general in New York City. The position earns $185,000 plus expenses. Albrecht is a friend of Dean French’s son, a lacrosse buddy. 

Fortunately the appointment has already been rescinded, but the take away from this bit of drama is that the new cabinet approved it uncritically. 

Doug Ford is still Doug Ford. He’s hapless, inexperienced, and lacks understanding of the workings of government. 

He has no interest in deep briefings. He likes to get into scrappy political fights and is quick to U-turn when there is a backlash or to fire people when things don’t go his way.

Ford’s sagging popularity has reached, in short order, a tipping point, recovery from which is extremely unlikely. 

Avoiding public events for the next three years for fear of being booed is hardly a manifestation of “governing for the people”. 

It’s time for Ford to consider a graceful resignation, even though grace might be hard to muster.

READ MORE EDITORIALS: 

• EDITORIAL: Ford’s angry budget (May 2019)
• EDITORIAL: It’s not your private police force, Mr. Ford (Spring 2019)
• EDITORIAL: It’s hardly ‘for the students’ (Winter 2019)
• EDITORIAL: Blowing smoke on the climate file (Dec. 2018)
• EDITORIAL: This premier is not for the people (City Election 2018)
• EDITORIAL: Eight weeks lost to Ford’s madness (October 2018)
• EDITORIAL: A lost cause worth fighting for (Aug./Sept. 2018)
• EDITORIAL: Reclaiming our city (Summer 2018)
• EDITORIAL: City staff ignore bike lanes (July 2018)
• EDITORIAL: The market has no moral compass (Election Special 2018)
• EDITORIAL: Lessons to be learned from Excessive Force (Spring 2018)
• EDITORIAL: A social contract is a precious thing (March 2018)
• EDITORIAL: Intolerance leading to Quebec’s decline (Dec. 2017)
• EDITORIAL (Nov. 2017): Student safety suffers as trustees cave
• EDITORIAL: Pandering to religious intolerance (October 2017)
• EDITORIAL: Bike lanes, good for business (Fall 2017)
• EDITORIAL: Don’t sacrifice safety for political gain (August 2017)

Education, health care, social services, legal aid, all on chopping block

By Jessica Bell, MPP (University—Rosedale) 

On April 11, the Ford government presented their first budget called “Ontario’s Plan to Protect What Matters Most”. It’s an ironic title, considering how many cuts to key services are included.  Below is a brief round-up of some of the biggest announcements and their impact on our community. 

One of the biggest cuts in the budget is for Community and Social Services, which will lose a billion dollars over the next four years

Post-secondary education

The budget made it clear that the Conservatives are taking a stand against colleges and universities. The government has announced that funding for post-secondary educations will decline by $400 million, with a significant impact on student affordability. In addition, universities and colleges will now have their funding tied to “performance agreements”, requiring institutions to reach targets set by the government in order to access as much as 60 per cent of funding. Details on the targets and metrics that will be used have not been provided. 

Thousands of students, faculty, administrators, and others that work and study at the University of Toronto live in University-Rosedale. I will continue to push for more, not less, funding for post-secondary institutions. 

Education

The budget confirmed that, under Premier Ford, education funding for kindergarten to grade 12 will not keep pace with inflation. We’ve already seen what that means: larger classes, fewer available courses and teacher layoffs. School boards are warning that this level of funding will mean class sizes of up to 46 students, fewer courses, and thousands of fired teachers. 

University-Rosedale is home to great public schools. Students at these schools have been standing up for their right to a quality education. I recently received a letter signed by hundreds of students at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, asking me to stand up to Ford’s education cuts. I will continue to advocate for them and for all students in University-Rosedale. 

Health care

Like education, the annual funding allocated for health care in the budget doesn’t keep pace with inflation. That means that as our population ages and needs go up, funding will be less in real terms than it is today. Hospitals have already warned that this level of funding will mean cuts to services and layoffs of frontline staff.

University-Rosedale is home to some of the best hospitals and health care facilities in Canada. I am deeply concerned about Premier Ford’s clear cut in health care spending, as well as the decision to slash $200 million by reducing the number of public health units to just 10, down from 35. Public health units help prevent diseases and injury, and this decrease has generated concern from experts including Ontario’s former chief medical officer of health.

Social services and legal aid

One of the biggest cuts in the budget is for Community and Social Services, which will lose a billion dollars over the next four years. The Conservatives have refused to tell us how this will impact people with disabilities and other vulnerable citizens. One thing we do know is that the Conservatives have cut legal aid funding by 30 per cent, including eliminating funding for legal services for immigrants and refugees. 

In our community we have a range of legal clinics that help low-income people access essential legal services. Denying legal representation and advice to some of our most vulnerable residents is wrong. I support the petition put forward by the Refugee Lawyers Association of Ontario to reverse these harmful cuts, and will continue to push for a fair and accountable justice system where everyone’s rights are met.

Jessica Bell is Member of Provinical Parliament for University-Rosedale.

READ MORE

• FORUM: Taking a stand against Ford’s cuts to education (May 2019)
• FORUM: With people-power there is hope (Winter 2019)
• FORUM: Take back Toronto on the 22nd (City Election 2018)
• FOCUS: Putting candidates to the Gleaner test (City Election 2018)

Act local to address the reality of climate change

By Terri Chu

Here’s a question for you: What’s more depressing, the ever-worsening predictions we hear from climate scientists, or the daily news of continued denialism from the Trumps and Fords of the world? If you live on Toronto Island, you are probably too busy to contemplate. The floodwaters are rising as quickly as forests are burning and communities are being evacuated in other parts of the country. This is real life, and this is climate change. What can we do about it?

We’re better off facing our new reality head-on: relocation from flood and fire-prone areas is going to be a fact of life as our planet heats up.

Well, when we talk about Toronto Island in particular, we see city councillors calling for more action to protect houses on the island while engineers offer what looks like a collective eye-roll. 

The cost of controlling lake levels would likely cost billions. We’re better off facing our new reality head-on: relocation from flood and fire-prone areas is going to be a fact of life as our planet heats up. As writer Bill McKibben says, the world is shrinking.

It’s been said for decades but for me, the best way to focus energies is by acting local. 

The Annex Residents’ Association (ARA) has recently added an environmental mandate to its parks and trees committee, which I proudly chair. 

We will be engaging in projects and programs designed to reduce the environmental impact of living and doing business in the neighbourhood, watching over the well being of our precious green spaces, and making sure new developments don’t increase flood risks in the neighbourhood. 

Every time a new parking pad gets added in the neighbourhood, we lose ground water absorption capacity and increase the run-off to our century-old sewer system. 

Every time a tree comes down, we lose canopy coverage, its evaporative cooling effects, and capacity for water absorption. 

Even if we can’t knock sense into either end of the political spectrum, we can try to control the things that happen in our own neighbourhood. 

On the top of the ARA’s list is increasing our neighbourhood tree canopy coverage. 

The triple hit of wind, ice, and wind storms brought down a lot of trees in the spring of 2018. Our tree database shows an estimated loss of 10 per cent of neighbourhood trees. That’s a staggering 1,000 trees. 

You can see the holes in the tree canopy on sunny summer days. Streets that used to be shady are now in full sun all afternoon. 

Premier Ford has canned a program that would have planted 50 million trees in Ontario by putting even city-funded tree planting programs on hold. 

We’re on our own now, so having strong community support is more important than ever. Let’s not only replace those 1,000 lost trees but make sure we can make up for the trees we are expected to lose in next 20 years.

Environmentally speaking, political action is the most powerful. A carbon tax will do a lot to reduce carbon emissions (when done right). 

A policy to respect local land formations in land use planning will go a long way towards flood prevention. 

However, in the absence of sane policies, the rest of us must act locally to keep our wits about us and vote like hell when elections come around. 

Join the ARA environment committee to get involved and don’t let the depressing news get you down. We can at least make a difference here: parksandtrees@theara.org.

Terri Chu is an engineer committed to practical environmentalism. This column is dedicated to helping the community reduce energy use, and help distinguish environmental truths from myths. Send questions, comments, and ideas for future columns to Terri at terri.chu@whyshouldicare.ca.

READ MORE BY TERRI CHU:

• GREENINGS: Plastic ban born of necessity (May 2019)
• GREENINGS: Confronting consumption (Spring 2019)
• GREENINGS: Preventing chaos, mass starvation (Dec. 2018)
• GREENINGS: Municipalities should flex their green muscles (City Election 2018)
• GREENINGS: Short-term solutions haunt future (October 2018)
• GREENINGS: Urban under-representation (Aug./Sept. 2018)
• GREENINGS: Nurture the neighbourhood by cultivating green canopy (Summer 2018)
• GREENINGS: Results beg for electoral reform (July 2018)
• GREENINGS: Choosing the lesser evil (Election Special 2018)
• GREENINGS: Reduce, reuse, and then recycle (May 2018)
• GREENINGS: Car-free parenting is not rare (Spring 2018)
• GREENINGS: The science of board games (Mar. 2018)
• GREENINGS: Driving fuelled by unseen subsidies (Jan. 2018)
• GREENINGS: No solutions for nobody’s problem (Dec. 2017)
• GREENINGS: Celebrate science not milestones (Nov. 2017)
• GREENINGS: Down to the data (Oct. 2017)

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.

Compiled by Nabahat Hussain and Juan Romero

Queen’s Park

47 Queen’s Park Cres.

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Grade: B (last year A)

Reason to go: There are many paths on which to stroll, run, or bike-ride. The park is like a huge maze this year as all of the grass areas are closed off as grass seeds take root. The park’s maintenance has gone down as the “Queen’s Park north improvements” are implemented. Though the park is not in its prime at the moment, the efforts to improve it are commendable and will surely benefit the community once they are completed in August 2019.

Overheard: Silence, not a lot of activity going on at the moment. Even the construction wasn’t loud.

Did you know: Established in 1860, this well-known park was named to honour Queen Victoria; her son, Edward VII, attended its opening. Today a statue depicting the king on a horse stands in the centre of the park.

Huron Washington Parkette

Huron Street and Washington Avenue

Time: 11:30 a.m.

Grade: No grade (last year B+)

Reason to go: The park is currently being relocated to 406 Huron St. as University of Toronto Schools (UTS) expands. All the park equipment has been removed and all that remains at 420 Huron St. are two benches and a few tree protection area fences. Until the park has been relocated, this park is a pass.

Overheard: The deafening sound of construction next door at UTS.

Fact: The space where the park used to be will be used to increase the UTS location by 33 per cent. The addition will include a new auditorium, a skylit atrium, and science and media labs. There is a Gleaner article from the Spring 2019 issue about the parkette’s relocation titled “Huron-Washington Parkette relocates while UTS expands”.

Huron Street Playground

495 Huron St.

Time: 11:00 a.m.

Grade: B (last year B)

Reason to go: Not much has changed since last year at this park. It still appears to be well liked by children and features unique park equipment such as tire swings and a climbing web. The neighbouring apartment building is still under renovation; nonetheless the park attracts many passers-by from dog walkers to teachers and students from local schools. The variety of seating and abundance of shade created by the canopy make it perfect to take a break from the hustling and bustling main street.

Did you know: The park was renovated in 2016 bringing the new spider web, tire swings, and rock climbing area. 

Taddle Creek Park

40 Bedford St.

Time: 12:30 p.m.

Grade: A+ (last year A)

Reason to go: Taddle Creek Park has something for everyone including a relaxing atmosphere with a variety of park equipment, which makes it an enjoyable destination for adults and children alike. There are pink tulips and yellow daffodils in full bloom attracting many photos from people walking by. Well maintained and clean without any litter, this park really is an urban oasis. The centrepiece, “The Vessel” by artist Ilan Sandler, gives the park an artistic touch among the luscious green space surrounding it.

Overheard: A lot of birds chirping, perched on the top of trees.

Did you know: The park is named after Toronto’s buried stream, Taddle Creek, which used to run from the park’s location to Lake Ontario through the U of T area.

Philosopher’s Walk

78 Queen’s Park Cres. W.

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Grade: A (last year A-)

Reason to go: A first stroll through Philosopher’s Walk is bound to leave one starstruck. Scenic in every sense of the word, this park is like a slice of heaven. The U of T buildings on both sides of the path are breathtaking in their architectural appeal. Who wouldn’t want to attend the Royal Conservatory of Music just to be able to enjoy this retreat on a daily basis? Well maintained, relaxing, clean and unique, this is a park popular among adults. The variety of plantings adds an extra layer of allure to the space, it’s a must-see.

Overheard: A professor conducts an outdoor lecture talking about trees to a group of students.

Did you know: Taddle Creek used to flow where the walk now resides; there is a plaque on the U of T premises with information about the vanished stream.

Village of Yorkville Park

115 Cumberland St.

Time: 2:50 p.m.

Grade: A (last year A)

Reason to go: This park is immensely popular among working adults and is packed to the brim as people hunt for seats. There is close to no grass and the trees are all ornamental making it similar to a parkette. The park is gorgeous in its minimalistic and uniform design. The colossal rock next to Bay Station is the standout piece, attracting many people enjoying their lunch. There are a variety of high-end boutiques and shops facing the park. It is noisy, so not an escape from the city but more of a resting spot among the chaos. The cherry trees when in bloom are a spot where many people take photos this time of year.

Overheard: Harmonica, being played by a man seated on a nearby bench.

Did you know: In the 1950s a row of Victorian homes were demolished to start construction on the subway underneath the park. Local residents wanted a park to be built over the station, but a parking lot was built instead. In 1991 their requests were finally heard and the Village of Yorkville Park was built over the lot.

Bloor-Bedford Parkette

245 Bloor St. W.

Time: 1:30 p.m.

Grade: B+ (last year B)

Reason to go: With seven benches and clean-cut grass to sit on, this is the ultimate resting station for those walking along Bloor Street West. One can expect a group of university students to be seated on the grass painting a perfect picture of youth. Traffic moves right in front of the park, making it less peaceful than other parks. 

Overheard: The sound of traffic on the main street and college students conversing in groups.

Did you know: The parkette is right in front of U of T’s Varsity stadium and sits above St. George station.

Matt Cohen Park

393 Bloor St. W.

Time: 11:30 a.m. 

Grade: C- (last year C)

Reason to go: Matt Cohen Park is popular among university students and local workers enjoying a lunch break. At almost any time during the day you will find people sitting on the park’s many benches and seating areas. However, it does not have a relaxing atmosphere. Since the park is located right at the intersection of Bloor Street West and Spadina Avenue, it gets very noisy with all the cars, street cars, and honks you would expect from a busy intersection. The green spaces are minimal and they do not seem to be well maintained, as you will find litter all over the park and the grass has a lot of undergrowth. There is not much in terms of activities, so if you are looking for a place  to take your kids to play, Matt Cohen Park should not be your go-to. However, if you work or study in the area, or you are just simply walking by, this park offers a place to sit down, take a break, and enjoy the summer weather. 

Overheard: Honking, streetcars, and construction nearby. 

Did you know: Canadian writer Matt Cohen wrote children’s books under the nickname “Teddy Jam”.

Margaret Fairley Park

100 Brunswick Ave. 

Time: 12:00 p.m.

Grade: A+ (last year A)

Reason to go: Margaret Fairley Park is the perfect spot to take young children out to play. The park offers a big playground with swings, a tree house, and a sandbox, and it is a popular spot for students from nearby public schools to spend their recess. For adults, Margaret Fairley Park can also be an enjoyable spot. Overall the park is well maintained as it is very clean. The atmosphere is calm as the site is in a residential area and not many cars pass by. The park offers lots of seating surrounding the playground as well as picnic tables in the green spaces. Families can come and enjoy a nice outdoor lunch, as the picnic tables are in shaded areas. 

Overheard: “You’re it!” A child playing tag with his dad. 

Did you know: Margaret Fairley Park was originally opened in 1972, but it was renovated and re-inaugurated in 2017.

Sally Bird Park 

194 Brunswick Ave. 

Time: 2:15 p.m.

Grade: B (last year B)

Reason to go: Sally Bird Park is so small that you will miss it if you are not paying attention. It is located between two houses on Brunswick Avenue. It is a great spot for people who enjoy exercising outdoors as the park offers workout machines. It is a pretty common meeting place for students from the Central Technical School during their lunch and after school, but for the most part it remains empty. Since the park is so small the green space is minimal especially because there is a sidewalk across it that connects Brunswick Avenue and Alan Powell Lane. The park is pretty isolated from traffic and even people which makes the atmosphere extremely calm and silent if you are by yourself. Since the park is somewhat hidden it has been prone to vandalism, and you will find graffiti on the walls and the benches. Overall it is a great spot to exercise or to have a relaxing break without much interruption.

Overheard: Birds chirping.

Did you know: Working out in local parks to stay fit can be a great alternative to having to pay for a monthly gym membership. 

Doctor’s Parkette 

15 Brunswick Ave. 

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Grade: B (last year B) 

Reason to go: Right along the intersection of College Street and Brunswick Avenue, you will find the Doctor’s Parkette. It is a place where workers and passers-by can sit down and take a break from their day. Doctor’s Parkette has plenty of benches and it is well maintained and is very clean.  The few plants and trees in the park are also in good shape but it is, however, not a very relaxing spot. The intersection gets busy at times, and the background noise you will hear consists of honks, cars, and streetcars. It also lacks green space. Most of the park is concrete, so its purpose is basically to be a seating area. Doctor’s Parkette is a popular spot, with people in it at most times during the day. It is a good place to take a break if you live or work in the area.    

Overheard: “Just let me give her a call, and I will call you back,” a woman said while talking on the phone. 

Did you know: Doctor’s Parkette was formerly known as Brunswick College Parkette before it was renovated in 2017 and its name was changed to the current one. 

Robert Street Park

60 Sussex Ave.

Time: 4:30 p.m. and 10 a.m.

Grade: D- (last year F) 

Reason to go: Robert Street Park has been our lowest ranked park for years. This park needs regular maintenance which it is clearly not getting. There is a lot of green space, but it was not accessible. It also has a hockey rink that is closed off and seems to be used just for storage. There are two areas of black-top, one is empty and the other has hockey nets in it; this seems to be the only playground that is accessible in this park. The only good thing about Robert Street Park is a small area behind the hockey rink that is well shaded with a good variety of trees and some benches. The only reason for giving Robert Street Park an improving grade is its potential for restoration. The size, as well as the perfect mix of green space and playground, could make it a go-to park destination. 

Overheard: A truck passing by, that’s it! The place was totally empty. 

Did you know: Back in 2017 a local resident launched a petition to restore the park’s facilities, but so far it would seem that no work has been done.

Bickford Park

400 Grace St.

Time: 12:00 p.m.

Grade: A (last year A)

Reason to go: You’ve got a dog! There is an off-leash dog park and a huge green area that covers most of the land, and so this park is nowhere near short of space. Located close to Christie Station, Bickford Park is very accessible, with entrances from all the surrounding streets. There are plenty of benches, tables, and different varieties of trees for nature lovers. The park also offers a large baseball diamond and washrooms. There is some graffiti in the washroom area and on one of the water fountains, but overall Bickford’s spacious green area offers people the opportunity to take part in different summer activities or even a picnic on a nice day. 

Overheard: Dogs barking and enjoying themselves in the off-leash area. 

Did you know: Bickford Park was established in 1908, when the city of Toronto bought the land from a former Toronto businessman and politician named Edward O. Bickford. 

Healey Willan Park

504 Euclid Ave. 

Time: 12:30 p.m.

Grade: B- (last year B)

Reasons to go: For anyone looking to take young children outdoors, Healey Willan Park is a great solution. It is located in a calm and quiet neighbourhood that doesn’t see much traffic, the park has a good-sized playground, a sandbox, lots of toys and a functioning wading pool. There are plenty of benches for parents as well as picnic tables in the shaded area of the park. The only downside is the maintenance of the place. There is a lot of litter that should be regularly cleaned. During the summer, the wading pool will make Healey Willan Park a popular attraction. No dogs are allowed in the playground areas.

Overheard: “Vrooom!” A young child playing with a toy truck in the sandbox. 

Did you know: Healey Willan was a British-Canadian organist and composer with more than 850 compositions to his name. 

READ MORE:

• NEWS: Huron-Washingon Parkette relocates while UTS expands (Spring 2019)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: The best and worst of local parks (Summer 2018)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: More attention to green spaces means parks are improving (July 2018)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Parks on the fringe (AUGUST 2017)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Open spaces in the heart of the Annex (July 2017)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Survey reveals significant upgrades (June 2017)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Meet our parks supervisor (August 2016)
• Part two of our 2016 parks review (July 2016)
• NEWS: Renewing Margaret Fairley Park (JULY 2016)
• PART ONE: Green sanctuaries in the heart of the city (June 2016)
• Grading our Greenspace (2015)

Tree canopy of Harbord Village depleted by 20 per cent

By Nabahat Hussain

A thorough tree inventory in Harbord Village shows that the neighbourhood’s tree canopy has decreased by 20 per cent in the past 12 years. This rate of decline is similar to that of trees in the Annex, north of Bloor.

According to the Harbord Village Residents’ Association (HVRA) database, in 2007 Harbord Village was home to 6,386 trees. Today, almost 30 per cent of those trees are gone with 4,552 left standing.

Leah Ritcey-Thorpe, a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Ecology and Forestry program,  conducted the inventory. 

“We have an age gap in our forest,” says Ritcey-Thorpe. “There are a lot of large trees reaching their end and not a lot of trees to replace their canopy size. The next 5 to 10 years will be a transitional period in the areas canopy.” 

The HVRA’s past chair, Rory (Gus) Sinclair, says the first step to getting bigger trees planted is to raise awareness about the current situation.

“Nobody is thinking long-term, people want something pretty they can see right away so they buy ornamentals and shrubs,” says Sinclair. “People need education on the value of planting a tree that won’t reach its desired size for another generation or two. It doesn’t offer the immediate payoff of an ornamental, but it is a very nice thing to do for your community.”

Besides planting new trees, Sinclair says that removing paving from around a tree’s base is a great way to extend its life.

University of Toronto forestry professor Sandy Smith agrees. She suggests that the City of Toronto follow in Mississauga’s footsteps by taxing homeowners for the amount of land they decide to pave. 

“These surfaces put a huge load on the sewer system,” she says. “They increase the cost of maintenance and cause sewage overflow in the lake and in basements.”

However, Smith adds that the reason for the canopy decline is mostly due to the fact that many of the local trees are close to a hundred years old.

That said, the benefits of trees in the city are clear. As stated by the City of Toronto’s street tree brochure, trees “clean the air, reduce stormwater runoff, provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, and enhance the urban landscape.” 

Professor Smith also brings up capturing carbon, intercepting air pollutants and salt pollution, and cooling. 

“As the climate heats up, we need to cool,” she says. “Nature’s best air conditioner is a tree.” 

Former HVRA chair and federal green party candidate Tim Grant seconds that claim

“It’s better for keeping summertime temperatures lower. Some places are at least 5 degrees Celsius lower if they have good tree canopy compared to places that don’t.”­

The City of Toronto’s goal is to increase the tree canopy to 40 per cent. To help make that happen, they’ve launched the Every Tree Counts campaign which offers neighbourhood grants starting at $10,000 for tree-planting initiatives (Every Tree Counts); a program to ensure trees planted along major roadways are planted in a way to ensure their health and survival over the long term (Street Tree Trust); and native tree give-aways for individual homeowners (Tree for Me).

As of June 12, the Tree for Me program gave out 3,218 trees to Torontonians. More tree give-away events are coming up.

To get more information on Tree for Me visit www.treeforme.ca.

READ MORE:

FOCUS: Annex’s old trees will soon be history (Spring 2019)