Re: New vision for Bloor Street United (July 2017)

Kent Jackson, a member of the Bloor Street United Church congregation, noted that the archival photo we ran with this article did not match the cutline: “The church lost its steps and main entrance when it was truncated in 1927 to make way for the widening of Bloor Street West.”

While the steps were indeed removed in 1927, that photo did not show the steps in question. This photo, however, does. It is from Seventy Years at Bloor Street United Church 1887-1957, and has been reproduced with permission of the publisher.

Have a correction??A comment? We want to hear from you. Please email us your feedback or mail us at P.O. Box 414, Station P, Toronto, ON??M5S 2S9.

Remembering an unsung hero

On behalf of the Richardson family and the Central Technical School community I would like to thank you for the lovely story on Olympian and Jesse Owens U.S. counterpart, Sam Richardson.

It is important to share the stories and experiences of our fellow school alumni and neighbours, as it enriches our lives.

Upon reading the article I would like to clarify that Central Technical School celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2015. Harbord Collegiate Institute celebrated 125 years in 2017.

There is some confusion as to Sam Richardson’s birthdate. Although we have resource material stating that Sam was born in 1919, we have most recently accessed Sam’s school registration card from King Edward School, which states that he was born in 1921. This would mean that he would have been 15 years of age at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, 13 at the British Empire Games, very young indeed and what moxie!

The Canadian Olympic website and Wikipedia post his year of birth as 1917. To date, we have not been able to access Canada census information, which leaves the issue of his age at the Olympics unverified.

To quote a letter that we received from the Ontario Black History Society:

“Sammy Richardson, as he was known to his friends, was born just after the end of the First World War. His father served in the war and his great-grandparents came up through the Underground Railroad. Prior to attending Central Tech, he attended King Edward Public school with Stanley Grizzle and they used to race one another. Sammy, always a gifted athlete, travelled across Canada and the U.S., winning numerous medals. As a teenager, he competed and won both a gold medal and a silver medal at the British Empire Games in London in 1934. Upon his return members of the Black and white community came out in force to celebrate his return.

Still a teenager, he competed in three events at the 1936 Olympics with Jesse Owens and fellow Canadian Phil Edwards.

He was an inspiration to all.”

Once again thank you for the article, we look forward to further tributes in honour of Sam.

Fernanda Pisani
Central Tech Alumni
Archives Chair

Editors’ note: Thanks for the correction, and a great addition to the story of Sam Richardson.

Prepare for excitement and drama during trade talks

By Chrystia Freeland

As we undertake our discussions with the United States and Mexico on the renegotiation of NAFTA, we are seeking your views. Are there areas of the agreement that could be clarified? Are there parts that should be updated? Are there any new sections that should be part of a modernized agreement? Please visit www.international.gc.ca/nafta to participate in the public consultation process.

In his book about the war of 1812, the historian Alan Taylor describes how, at the height of the conflict between the United States and British Canada, the U.S. forces unaccountably held off trying to invade the St. Lawrence River valley.

Such an invasion might have dramatically changed the outcome of the war. But it never happened.

The reason, Taylor writes, is that American and Canadian merchants and farmers in the border towns were enthusiastic cross-border traders. And some of them, on the American side, had influence in Washington.

Any actual fighting, these Yankee entrepreneurs successfully argued, would be bad for business. So they urged Washington to take care.

This story epitomizes one of the most important aspects of trade: it brings us into shared purpose across national borders, working to address common needs — even in the most extraordinary circumstances.

This brings me to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) — and the historic project on which we are embarking, with our neighbours, to modernize this landmark pact for the twenty-first century.

Trade is about people. It’s about creating the best possible conditions for growth, for jobs, and for prosperity.

Thanks to NAFTA, the North American economy is highly integrated, making our companies more competitive in the global marketplace and creating more jobs on our continent.

NAFTA has been an extraordinary success story. And, Canadians today largely agree with me in that assessment. A Pew Research poll in May found that 74 per cent of those surveyed think NAFTA has been good for Canada. This is a remarkable consensus. It extends across the political spectrum. It is reflected in the high calibre of the people who recently joined our NAFTA Council. These members set partisan politics aside to work to pursue the national interest. I am grateful.

Our mission is clear. We are in this effort for all Canadians — and beyond that, for the broader North American community. Because if we get this right, the working people of all three countries will benefit.

Canada, the United States, and Mexico have a powerful shared interest in reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.

Strong economic fundamentals are a compelling argument for bolstering what works, and improving what can be made better. I am confident that this is a story with a happy ending.

But, as I am sure Canadians appreciate, the path to getting there could well include some moments of excitement as well as a few moments of drama.

I am no stranger myself to moments of drama in trade talks. We are delighted CETA has been signed and ratified and will be provisionally applied on Sept. 21. But before we got there, our talks with the Wallonian government in Namur broke down. I had to make the difficult decision to get up from the table, and go home.

Preparing for these negotiations has already united us as a country.

I have been astounded and moved by the extremely high level of support and collaboration. That is because of this fundamental reality: the Canada-U.S. economic relationship is the most significant, the most mutually beneficial, and the most effective anywhere in the world. We know that. And, particularly after six months of constant reminders from their friends in the north, our American neighbours now know it, too.

Good fundamentals lead to good results — and that is what we will achieve.

Chrystia Freeland is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Member of Parliament for University-Rosedale.

September marks the start of performance season and arts classes

PICTURE COURTESY HEATHER KELLY: The Royal Conservatory’s red piano at Open Streets TO.

By Heather Kelly

Concert season begins!

Fanfares herald Tafelmusik’s 2017-18 concert season and new Music Director Elisa Citterio, who makes her debut directing A Joyous Welcome at Koerner Hall, September 21 to 24. Vivaldi’s Summer, the first in a complete cycle of his The Four Seasons being performed this year, will showcase Tafelmusik’s dynamic new leader. The University of Toronto Faculty of Music starts its concert season September 7 with percussionist Berndt Thurner in a free noon recital and Q&A at Walter Hall. On September 10, the faculty hosts Mysterious Barricades, a free noon concert in honour of World Suicide Prevention Day with Russell Braun, Judy Loman, and more. The Gryphon Trio and clarinetist James Campbell kick off Thursdays at Noon free concerts on September 14, and on September 21 the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s Winona Zelenka and the Gryphon Trio’s James Parker perform Bach’s Three Sonatas for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord. The Miles Nadal JCC presents folk duo Dwight & Sue in a daytime concert honouring Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan on September 14, and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura presents the Vesuvius Ensemble on September 18. The Royal Conservatory’s 2017-18 season begins with a free concert by Ensemble Made in Canada with Scott St. John on October 1 as part of the Bloor St. Culture Corridor hub of Culture Days.

Culture Days

Celebrate Culture Days, the annual weekend of free arts and culture, at the special Bloor St. Culture Corridor hub, Friday, September 29, through Sunday, October 1. The Gardiner Museum will be free all weekend. On Saturday, September 30, the Bata Shoe Museum is free 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. with three special art installations and all galleries open as part of Culture Days and Nuit Blanche. Saturday only, Alliance Française presents an exhibition about the Allied Landing in Provence. On Sunday, October 1, the University of Toronto Faculty of Music’s Bass Day includes a world-record attempt for the most bassists ever to play “The Elephant” from Carnival of the Animals and a fun Bass Petting Zoo for the whole family. Also on October 1, the Royal Conservatory presents a free concert by Ensemble Made in Canada with Scott St. John, and the Museum of Estonians Abroad brings Estonian fashion design to Canada with pop-up stores and a fashion show.

Open Streets

At Open Streets TO on Sunday, September 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can dance in the streets as you listen to the University of Toronto Jazz Street Band, or play the Royal Conservatory’s famous red piano in the middle of the road. There will also be folk music, arts and crafts, buskers, and more at the activity hub located at Bloor and Spadina.

Arts & Culture Talks

The Istituto Italiano di Cultura presents Italian-Canadian writers of Calabrese origins with hosts Francesco Loriggio and Damiano Pietropaolo on September 13. On September 8, the Istituto presents Extra Virgin Olive Oil lecture and tasting, and on September 15, a talk and tasting of Italian bread. Alliance Française presents French lectures Louis Riel and language rights in Court with Gérard Lévesque on September 13, Scandal and the peripatetic with Chantal Pontbriand September 20, and English lectures Bill Davis, the life of an Extraordinary Premier with Steve Paikin September 27, and Film memories of the Great War with Brian Jacobson September 28.

The ROM launches ROM Speaks Tuesday, September 19, with author Drew Hayden Taylor Spreading the Gospel of Native Literature. Then, The Next Fire Fight: Transitioning Out of Uniform features the inspiring story of decorated Lt.-Col. David Quick on September 26. The Museum of Estonians Abroad celebrates Tartu College’s 47th anniversary on Saturday, September 23, with a lecture by Estonian Academy of Arts Prof. Mart Kalm (in Estonian). The Gardiner Signature Lecture Series returns September 27, with Chief Curator Meredith Chilton bringing to life Lord Milton’s 1862 cross-Canada odyssey and the Minton bone china commissioned to commemorate the journey. Learn about Canadian cartoonists Josh Silburt and Gary Clement at The Power of Political Cartoons with Ralph Wintrob September 28 at the Miles Nadal JCC, in conjunction with their exhibition A Colourful Life.

Get Creative at Hands-On Classes

The Royal Conservatory School’s music courses for adults and children start on September 9 and their free Band Day on Sunday, September 10, offers people a chance to try instruments and meet instructors. The Bata Shoe Museum offers moccasin-making workshops and new evenings of sketching in the museum after it closes on Friday, September 29. At the Gardiner Museum, choose from hand building, wheel throwing, at drop-in classes every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, or discover the meditative qualities of clay in the new six-week workshop Reclaim This Moment: Finding Your Centre Through Clay.

Heather Kelly is the founder and director of the Bloor St. Culture Corridor. Her column focuses on arts and culture events from the district. More information about events and locations can be found at www.BloorStCultureCorridor.com.

Some worth a look, others deserve a miss

In this, the final part of our 2017 annual review of parks, we consider parks that are on the fringe of our traditional coverage area, as well as those that are often overlooked. As you will discover, some are worth the extra distance, while others need work and can be missed.

By Geremy Bordonaro with files from Brian Burchell

Bloor-Bedford Parkette
248 Bloor St. W.
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Grade: B- (Last year: B)
Reason to go: Bloor-Bedford Parkette is blessed with a convenient location. This oasis of green is remarkably easy to access from the busiest section of Bloor Street. There’s plenty of seating, which is usually well used. It’s clean and comfortable. The problem is that there is nothing else to do here except rest, and even then, there is very little shade to go around.
Overheard: “She totally dumped him! Which sucks ’cause he’s such a nice guy!”
Did you know: Varsity Stadium, home to the University of Toronto’s Varsity Blues, is across the street.

Art Eggleton Park
323 Harbord St.
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Grade: C (2013: B+)
Reason to go: This is a park of thirds. Two thirds are vacant, misused pieces of land, while, the central third is a bustling busy playground and wading pool. Art Eggleton Park lacks a real identity because of its odd layout that seems to contain three separate parks in one. The middle section is worth going to if you live in the area and have a child wanting to stretch out and play. Otherwise skip this park.
Overheard: “Okay. We can swing a little bit later. Let’s go to the pool!”
Did you know: Art Eggleton was Toronto’s mayor for 11 years, making him the city’s longest serving mayor. He went on to be the Member of Parliament for York-Centre, and now serves as a member of the Senate.

Sgt. Ryan Russell Parkette
250 Avenue Rd.
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Grade: D- (Last year: D+)
Reason to go: There were plans to rehabilitate this parkette into a beautiful and community-friendly space, yet these appear to be at a standstill, and in its current state the park is barely usable. Garbage lies everywhere, grass is uncut, and plant life has been overtaken by weeds. The small playground at the back corner of the park looks about ready to collapse into itself, and the noise is simply unbearable. Until something is done there is no reason to come here.
Overheard: Large amounts of traffic coming up and down Avenue Road.
Did you know: In an interview with the Gleaner last year, park supervisor Brian Green said the parkette was due for a major renovation, but news since then has been sparse.

PHOTO BY GEREMY BORDONARO/GLEANER NEWS: The Village of Yorkville Park is a go-to destination for anyone visiting the neighbourhood.

Village of Yorkville Park
115 Cumberland St.
Time: Noon
Grade: A- (Last year: A)
Reason to go: This is a go-to destination if you find yourself in Yorkville. The park is colourful and unlike anything else even in the Annex. There is a lot of art and the surrounding shops provide some nice colour. What the park lacks in variety of plant life it easily makes up in interesting structures and rock formations. Proximity to the subway makes it all the more convenient for travellers in the area. Unfortunately, the park loses marks from last year due to deterioration of some of the structures, making the area feel slightly grimy.
Overheard: “Ooh, look at the pretty fountain!”
Did you know: When we visited, the park featured Sculptures from the Brain Project, which uses art to raise awareness about brain diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Casa Loma Parkette
328a Walmer Rd.
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Grade: C (Last year: C)
Reason to go: Very little has changed in Casa Loma Parkette: there are few benches, little shade, and a lot of open space. Visitors to Casa Loma might get a kick out of stopping by and having a picnic.
Overheard: Mutterings of nearby tourists visiting the Casa Loma stables.
Did you know: Juno award winner Sean Jones performed a series of concerts at Casa Loma over the summer.

PHOTO BY BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS: Looking west from Avenue Road, Boswell Parkette transforms Boswell Road into a quiet dead-end oasis.

Boswell Parkette
2 Boswell Ave. (at Avenue Road)
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Grade: B (Last year: N/A)
Reason to go: This is a very clever conversion of publicly-owned pavement to a public green space. This parkette makes Boswell Avenue a dead-end, blocking vehicular thoroughfare to Avenue Road. The east west sidewalks along Boswell Avenue are maintained to Avenue Road and the rest of the parkette has raised planters along its edges. Three very healthy honey locust trees occupy the centre section, with the rest of the plantings unremarkable bushes all the same hue of green. No bee or butterfly would bother stopping here unfortunately, as there is not much to pollinate. The parkette includes its own bus stop to collect passengers heading south on Avenue Road, but there is no garbage bin, so refuse can accumulate. Other than the need for a trash can, to say nothing of more creative landscaping, the parkette is a green wall between a decidedly tony residential street and the hustle and bustle of Avenue Road.
Overheard: “Are you with a movie studio, I hope I didn’t ruin your picture.”
Did you know: The street gets its name from Arthur Radcliffe Boswell (1838-1925), a lawyer who was mayor of Toronto from 1883 to 1884 and a 14-time commodore of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club.

READ MORE

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)

PART ONE: Green sanctuaries in the heart of the city (June 2016)

Grading our Greenspace (2015)

Eliminated from 2017 playoffs after stunning first round defeat

PHOTO BY R.S. KONJEK/GLEANER NEWS: Justin Marra blasts a home run for the Toronto Maple Leafs during a playoff game against the Brantford Red Sox at Christie Pits.

By R.S. Konjek

“Who are these guys anyway?”

It is a question often heard on summer Sunday afternoons at Christie Pits.

Those nine men on the field, the ones in the blue uniforms emblazoned with maple leaf logos, are they professional ballplayers? Amateurs? Part-timers?

Compared to Toronto’s major league franchise, the Maple Leafs’ PR machine is humble and homespun. Fans are offered free programs at every home game and nuggets of information can be found within. Diehard followers who come to most games get to know the players and even forge friendships.

However, it is common for casual observers to drop in on a game, contemplate the players on the field (some young and bursting with athleticism, others older and more rounded than angular in contour), and wonder: “Who are these guys anyway?”

There are several answers to that question. The largest segment of the Maple Leafs’ roster consists of players who are in their early twenties. They play for the Leafs in the summer months, and then head south to college in the States on baseball scholarships. These youngsters take the opportunity to hone their skills while here, hoping to catch the eye of a scout down there.

There have been success stories. Daniel Procopio, who pitched for the Leafs a few years ago, was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels and now plays for one of their minor league clubs. Climbing the ladder and making it to “the show” is a dream that many of these players are actively pursuing.

A second segment of the roster is players in their later twenties or thirties who were drafted and put in some time with a major league organization, but didn’t make it all the way. For them, the Leafs offer an opportunity to continue playing competitive ball.

The third segment is the baseball lifers: players who never progressed higher than the provincial or national levels, but their love for the game keeps them coming back. They found a home with the Leafs and they have been playing at Christie Pits for years.

Apart from a couple of American pitchers and one from the Dominican Republic, most players are local. They live and work around the GTA and come from all walks of life. There’s a high school teacher, a documentary filmmaker, and a landscaper. One works for CN Rail, another works for a tech company. When the season ends, they return to the toil of daily life like the rest of us.

For the 2017 Maple Leafs team, that return was forced upon them with undue speed.

The Leafs were knocked out of the first round of the Intercounty Baseball League playoffs in mid-August, following a thrilling seven-game series against the Brantford Red Sox.

Four of the seven games were played at Christie Pits and there were some classics.

Game one saw the Leafs overcome an eight-run deficit to win 12-11.

Game three was a tight, defensive battle. Leafs’ ace Justin Cicatello pitched a complete game and the team came from behind to win 4-3.

Game five saw catcher Justin Marra hit a tie-breaking home run en route to a 7-1 victory.

The three games played in Brantford were all won by the Red Sox, setting the stage for a deciding seventh game on Sunday, August 13. In a stunning turn of events, Toronto fell victim to a last gasp comeback by the visitors.

The Leafs entered the ninth inning of the deciding game with a 4-1 lead, but momentum fatally shifted against them in a matter of minutes. As they say in France: “Crash, bang, wallop!” Brantford rallied, hit two home runs, and scored four to win the game and the series. With sudden violence and finality, the Leafs’ playoff run was over.

Back to school, back to work, back to real life. It was a cruel finale to the summer, but that’s baseball for you. It disappoints more often than it rewards.

As the long winter season unfolds, thoughts will return to the ballpark and we mortals will look forward to spending some more sunny afternoons sprawled out on Christie’s hillsides. For us, those days to come will be enough reward.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will return in May 2018, when the club will kick off its 50th season of baseball at good old Christie Pits.

READ MORE:

ON THE COVER: Historical homerun (July 2017)

SPORTS: The Maple Leaf(s) Forever (July 2017)

SPORTS: Weather permitting (June 2017)

SPORTS: Leafs return with sights on a title (May 2017)

SPORTS: Late summer blues (September 2016)

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF TORONTO ARCHIVES: Steve O’Neill scores a run for the International League Maple Leafs in 1929 at Maple Leaf Stadium, which was at the foot of Bathurst Street, south of Lake Shore Boulevard. The Torontos moved to Maple Leaf Stadium from Hanlan’s Point Stadium in 1926 and stayed there until 1967.

Read more on the history of Toronto’s oldest baseball team.

Conserving church a priority

PHOTO COURTESY TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY: Bloor Street United Church in 1888. The church lost its steps and main entrance when it was truncated in 1927 to make way for the widening of Bloor Street West.

PHOTO BY BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS: Bloor Street United Church as it stands now at the corner of Huron Street. The architects responsible for the church’s restoration say they want to improve the entrance to the church and preserve historical features like the stained glass windows.

By Emilie Jones

After years of rumours and false starts, Bloor Street United Church (BSUC) is set for a makeover, and representatives from Strategy Corporation and KPMB Architects hosted their first community meeting on June 21 to present their plans for revitalizing the space.

Following a model previously set by Westbank Projects Corp., the developers have begun to meet with the community before submitting an application to the city.

[pullquote]“We are telling a story, working with the community and congregation and designers for the best product”—Marianna McKenna, partner, KPMB[/pullquote]

However, it will likely include a free form space, community spaces, and a residential component, as well as offices for both the BSUC and the United Church of Canada. There are also plans to bring the current facilities up to code, something that’s long overdue.

“We like to hear from the community,” said Andrew Dyke, a senior architect with KPMB. “There is a lot of history, and we don’t want to make the wrong steps. We want to look forward.”

It’s a theme that was emphasized throughout the meeting.

“None of us is as smart as all of us. We want to hear from everyone,” noted Marianna McKenna, a partner at KPMB. “We are telling a story, working with the community and congregation and designers for the best product.”

For representatives of the church, it’s an imperative: they want the process to reflect the openness and acceptance that Bloor Street United stands for. But they are realistic: if they are to survive, they need to improve the building.

“[It is a] project born out of a need to sustain our church for a long term. Renewal will offer upgraded facilities, and ensure enhanced accessibility to the church,” said Beverly Stager, chair of the church council and a member of the Annex Residents’ Association (ARA).

Church member Brian Fox acknowledged that the process will be disruptive. “But it has to happen. I can see the need. There is a lot of space not used effectively.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Bob Hilliard, who has been a member since 1963 and seemed to represent the general consensus among the church members, local residents, and developers. “The building is old, and the church is large. There’s enough room in the new building for other groups that use it.”

Much like the Annex neighbourhood itself, BSUC is a mixed-use space, and the plan is for that to remain the same after the redevelopment.

“It’s an important part of the neighbourhood,” said McKenna. “It starts with the sacred but is much more. It can be faith-based and an outreach location in the community.”

Joe Cressy (Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina) placed the challenge of meeting the needs of the church and the needs of the city in a similar context.

“[BSUC] provides services that go beyond worship, and this is an important consideration. We can’t treat this as any old redevelopment. [The challenge is], how do you build a building that will build a neighbourhood, not just a tower?”

Although the project’s architects are determined to co-operate with the community, local residents raised several concerns about the height of the new building, fumes from local transit, and how many units the residential component will have. While the architects would not offer a lot of certainty, they did say conserving the church was a priority.

“The intention is to keep the physical church, and build around it,” said McKenna. “We can’t talk about the number of storeys. We don’t want to smother the church. The priority is the church, it is the raison d’être.”

One big focus will be to improve the entrance to the church, which lost its original steps and entrance when Bloor Street was widened in 1927.

“There is a transparency issue. It doesn’t send the right kind of message for how open the church is,” said McKenna.

Dyke agreed.

“There’s been a loss of entry, and we want to resurrect that. The church is about transparency, and right now it is pretty opaque.”

The architects are planning to retain the church’s history and heritage, preserving features like the stained glass windows.

While refusing to commit to anything, McKenna acknowledged that some parts of the building would be removed, but only those that “don’t speak to the spirit of the church”.

“This is the beginning of a conversation. It is a woven process, respectful of the community; they had this long before us. It is a process to honour your voices.”

Ultimately, while church members and residents of the Annex remain skeptical and nervous, everyone seems to agree that something must be done for the church to survive.

“The neighbourhood might need to sacrifice itself to those important obligations of the United Church of Canada,” said a member, who wished to remain anonymous. “We are to understand that this project needs to raise money for compensation and ongoing expenses of the church, so we should support it.”

The next community meeting will be in early fall, and the architects hope to submit a proposal later this year.

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.

Where are the best bathrooms, the best spots to laze away a day, or the best place to run a dog? It’s all here in the second instalment of our annual parks review. We’ll run the third and final instalment in August. For this popular feature, we assess many of the parks in and surrounding the Annex considering factors like functionality, safety, cleanliness, seating, and shade.

Compiled by Geremy Bordonaro with files from Emilie Jones & Nathalie Rodriguez

Paul Martel Park
Madison Avenue, north of Bloor Street West
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Grade: D- (Last year N/A)
Reason to go: Paul Martel Park was originally slated to be dismantled for the aborted Spadina expressway, but the Annex Residents’ Association (ARA) took it upon themselves to resurrect the tiny green space for the community to enjoy. Unfortunately, the park has not been treated with care. There are three benches, two of which can no longer be considered benches. Cigarette butts are scattered along a dirt pathway and grass, and it seems as if plans to plant more flowers were abandoned. There were birds chirping and maybe if you closed your eyes you could enjoy the sound of nature, but otherwise the view of the park was unpleasant.
Overheard: A Madison Street resident complaining about the state of the park.
Did you know: It was once named Ecology Park, but was renamed Paul Martel Park in honour of a local architect who made several contributions to the community.

Matt Cohen Park
Spadina Avenue and Bloor Street West
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Grade: C (last year C+)
Reason to go: Matt Cohen Park serves as a reasonable spot to relax at the busy intersection of Bloor?Street and Spadina Avenue. Its location makes for a convenient place for students at the neighbouring University of Toronto Schools to sit, eat lunch, and socialize. Otherwise there isn’t much to this park. Green space is at a minimum and very poorly kept. The little bits of grass that are in the park have either been trampled down or not mowed for ages. Garbage was tossed in large amounts around seating and signage. There are bike racks here but only enough space for about five or six different bikes. Some artistic touches, like the domino seating space and metal leaves adorning the subway grating, help to alleviate the ugliness of this park, but it is still a far cry from being beautiful.
Overheard: “Man, I am suffering from the worst hangover right now.”
Did you know: Matt Cohen, namesake of this park, wrote children’s books under the pseudonym of Teddy Jam.

PHOTO BY GEREMY BORDONARO/GLEANER NEWS: The tennis courts (seen in the background) at Hillcrest Park are in excellent condition, like everything else in this large, well-kept park.

Hillcrest Park
950 Davenport Rd.
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Grade: A+ (last year A)
Reason to go: A well-populated, go-to destination for park lovers, there’s little to complain about at Hillcrest Park. Everything is prim, proper, and well maintained, a huge accomplishment for a park of this size. The tennis courts deserve special mention for being in excellent condition, a rarity in this part of the city. Tennis lovers should definitely come to play a few matches. Hillcrest also has the special distinction of having the cleanest bathrooms of any park we’ve reviewed.
Overheard: “Getting tired? We can go as long as you can!” From a group of teens in a heated game of 3 on 3 basketball.
Did you know: The Wychwood Tennis Club runs out of the tennis courts in Hillcrest Park.

Margaret Fairley Park
100 Brunswick Ave.
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Grade: A (last year A)
Reason to go: Sterile is a great word to describe Margaret Fairley Park. Everything natural seems to be sapped out of the park, which has been carefully trimmed and made artificial. The only natural redeeming feature is a very small patch of non-artificial grass. That said, it is an excellent place for small children. Even at the time at writing there was a huge summer camp taking up residence on the play structures and families around having a grand time. The redesign of the park is very Muskoka-esque with log and various other wooden structures accentuating the “nature” of the park. However this redesign just seems to be a bit much.
Overheard: “All right everyone! We’re leaving to go back to the school in about ten minutes!”
Did you know: Margaret Fairley Park has been undergoing a full redesign over the years. This year marks the final steps of the park’s construction with the installation of a new wading pool and seating area.

Healey Willan Park
504 Euclid Ave.
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Grade: A (last year A)
Reason to go: There is so much to do for kids in this park. There are so many toys and play structures that it’s doubtful any kid would get bored here. Seating is plentiful so parents can just lean back and relax while their young ones have fun in a safe, gated park. The truth is that very little changes about this park over the years. It’s a reliable park for children and families, year in, year out.
Overheard: “Oh my god can I see the pics? So cute!”
Did you know: The local Healey Willan Singers were founded in 2005 on the 125th anniversary of Healey Willan’s birth and perform two chamber music concerts a season.

PHOTO BY GEREMY BORDONARO/GLEANER NEWS: Trash receptacles litter the rink at the Robert Street Playground (top), which is largely inaccessible. Healey Willan (right) is a great alternative to Margaret Fairley, and offers lots to occupy the toddler set.

Robert Street Playground/Aura Lee Playground
60 Sussex Ave.
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Grade: F (last year F)
Reason to go: How not to run a park. You don’t lock off every single possible amenity to the community and use them to store broken city equipment. You don’t have the only usable part of the park be a cracked and barely usable concrete tennis court. You don’t put paper signs on the walls of the oppressive brick management building asking people not to touch the broken door locks. And most importantly you don’t let a perfectly fine soccer field be locked off for the general public. At this point picking on this park feels like a pointless task as it is almost guaranteed to get an F every year until the end of time.
Overheard: The quiet sounds of desolation and wasted space.
Did you know: Toronto City Garbage Receptacles (of which there are seemingly dozens stored here) have cigarette butt disposals built into them that can be used instead of planters or the ground.

PHOTO BY EMILIE JONES/GLEANER NEWS: Philosopher’s Walk is a welcome breath of nature.

Philosopher’s Walk
78 Queen’s Park Cres. W.
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Grade: A (last year A+)
Reason to go: This walkway definitely beats walking busy concrete streets. Hidden in the middle of University of Toronto, this path is a breath of nature. There are dozens of benches scattered around to sit on while you people-watch. However, if you are looking for a quiet park to read in, this may not be the place for you. During the school year it is full of students bustling by. Don’t worry, although it sees a lot of traffic, the park is incredibly well maintained. Alternatively, since it is a student hub, surfaces within Philosopher’s Walk are occasionally commandeered as a canvas for art, rendering it more interesting than your average park.
Overheard: “Did you know you can send boxes of like 200 ladybugs to people?”, man saying to his girlfriend on a park bench.
Did you know: There are 14 trees planted in honour of the young women who were killed in the Montreal Massacre by Marc Lepine.

PHOTO BY EMILIE JONES/GLEANER NEWS: Vermont Square is a vast, pleasant green oasis.

Vermont Square Park
819 Palmerston Ave.
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Grade: A (last year: A)
Reason to go: This park has a little bit of everything: lots of open space, outdoor games, shade, and seating. On relaxed days, there are many park benches for a great picnic. For the older crowd, there are gravel lanes to play pétanque, and luckily, the square is located next to the Dennis Lee Playground, so the kids are occupied too. There is a nice mixture of sunny and shady areas, with large abundant trees, and the park is relatively well maintained. It is easy to imagine any group of people spending an entire day here.
Overheard: A man singing and strumming his guitar on a park bench.
Did you know: Vermont Square serves as the main stage area for the Open Tuning Festival every year.

Queen’s Park
47 Queen’s Park Cres.
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Grade: B+ (last year B+)
Reason to go: Queen’s Park is located in a busy part of Toronto, filled with a variety of tourist attractions, including the legislative building itself, but it still manages to be a soothing location with the busy traffic surrounding the space. It can feel like you are in your own little bubble surrounded by the outside world — at least until you are swarmed by flies. As for the grass it could be trimmed and taken care of to avoid dirt patches. As well there are many sculptures for tourists to admire and children are encouraged to engage in the outdoors, but not desecrate a memorial figure with chalk. When we walk by a monument we want to admire the figure, not the chalk drawn over the monument’s historical information. That being said it’s still a beautiful park located in a diverse community, great for newcomers to Canada to learn more about Toronto’s urban parks.
Overheard: “Should we cross the street and walk down the park?”
Did you know: Queen’s Park was opened in 1860 in honour of Queen Victoria, the inspiration behind the park’s name.

Bickford Park
468 Grace St.
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Grade: A (last year A)
Reason to go: Bickford Park has a lovely green space with more than enough room to play a variety of sports including soccer and baseball. The soccer field is under the sun, but there are plenty of trees surrounding the space for people to sit and cool down on hot summer days. Just on the side is a dog park with tons of space, including chairs for owners to sit on while their dogs enjoy their daily run. Exceptionally sanitized restrooms are located right by the dog park. It’s a relief for visitors who want to spend the day outdoors. The benches are in decent condition, some better than others, but they do detract from the park, since the grass can be a much better accommodation to enjoy a summer afternoon. The baseball field is large, but the rusted fences could do with a renewal. Overall it’s one of the most peaceful parks to sit and relax in and possibly have a picnic underneath the trees or to grab a group of friends to play baseball with.
Overheard: Dogs playfully barking.
Did you know: In 2014 local residents submitted a petition to Mike Layton (Ward 19, Trinity-Spadina) asking for park improvements. The park has improved dramatically since then.

Jean Sibelius Square
50 Kendal Ave.
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Grade: B+ (last year A+)
Reason to go: There’s a lot of space to stretch out in Jean Sibelius Square. The huge amount of open space makes the park ideal for pick-up games of soccer or just lying down and relaxing in the shade. There are a wide variety of trees providing more than enough shade. During the middle of the day the park is very well-populated with kids, yogis, and picnickers. The downside is that it seems oddly dirty. There is a lot of graffiti and the grass is pretty patchy in areas. The park shows its age like a badge of honour. There are definitely worse parks to go to but Jean Sibelius needs a bit of clean-up before it can really be one of the best.
Overheard: “Mommy is tired. Come on, let’s get some lunch.”
Did you know: The park reopened with a fresh new look way back in 2012 after four years of planning and construction.

Correction (July 28, 2017): in the print version of this article, some of the descriptions had Facts instead of Did you know.

READ MORE:

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)

PART ONE: Green sanctuaries in the heart of the city (June 2016)

Grading our Greenspace (2015)

Central Tech student raced alongside Jesse Owens

PHOTO COURTESY CENTRAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL ARCHIVES: Sam Richardson passes the baton during the men’s 4×100 relay during the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. Like Jesse Owens, who became a friend, Richardson proudly represented his nation while facing the institutionalized racism of Nazi Germany.

By Justin Viviera

Long before Canadian legend Donovan Bailey took to the track, athlete Samuel “Sam” Richardson realized his own dream when he sprinted on the grandest field of them all at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany.

Competing against the likes of Jesse Owens (who became a friend), Richardson held his own, coming in fifth as a member of the men’s 4×100 metre relay team, and finished 14th and 20th in the long and triple long jumps. Like Owens, he proudly represented his nation while facing the institutionalized racism of Nazi Germany.

[pullquote]“If he raced alongside Jesse Owens that must have been a very special experience for him”—Ryan, Central Tech student[/pullquote]

“I’ll always remember his grace and the feeling of pride once I found out who he was and what he accomplished,” said his son Stacey Richardson, 47. “When I think about him, I’m always revisited by the gratification I grew up with from my father and his accolades.”

A local boy, Sam Richardson was born on Nov. 18, 1919 to Franklin and Maria of 222 Lippincott St. He went to school at King Edward Public School, then Lord Lansdowne Public School, and finally Central Technical School. It was there that he spent hours training on the track,

“My father used to go out onto the field at Central Tech with a rugby ball, kick it up the length of the field, run the distance and catch the ball himself,” relates Stacey. “Apparently he would do that almost all day long. I was amazed by that story and it was a reminder of how great an athlete my father was.”

At 15, Richardson won the gold medal in long jump in London, England, at the 1934 British Empire Games, now known as the Commonwealth Games.

At that time, he was the youngest competitor to ever win a gold medal in track. A year later, he would set a Canadian record of 25 feet in long jump at the Canadian Track and Field Championships in Winnipeg; a record that wouldn’t be broken for another 25 years. Between London and Berlin, he also represented Canada in France, New Zealand, and Australia.

After his athletic career, Richardson began his service at the CBC in 1955 where he worked as a stagehand crew leader on the hit comedy The Wayne and Shuster Show, which aired the same year he started, as well as the children’s television show Mr. Dressup.

It was thanks to a school project that Stacey got to know more about his dad.

“There was an assignment I was given in school to do some research on a Canadian athlete. My teacher was assigning different athletes and I had mentioned to my teacher that I knew of an athlete that wasn’t mentioned.

“I talked about my father and they allowed me to do my research project on him. It was something I felt proud of doing and that’s when I started to learn more about him. I felt special to be his son.”

Richardson was 51 when his son Stacey was born, and 70 when he passed away in 1989.

Some of the faculty and students at Central Tech, which recently celebrated its 125th anniversary, are aware of the handful of Olympians who got their start at the school: Atlee Mahorn, Carl Folkes, Anthony Wilson, and Keturah Anderson.

“There’s a display case and a Wall of Fame of alumni who’ve made it to the Olympics. I know there’s been quite a few runners that went to school here but I didn’t know he [Richardson] was one of the first,” said Ryan, a Central Tech student. “If he raced alongside Jesse Owens that must have been a very special experience for him.”

The CTS community is planning a tribute in honour of Richardson’s long-lasting legacy. “He was Toronto’s son,” said Stacey. “His unsung stories are a distant memory but will never be forgotten.”

READ MORE

ON OUR COVER: Celebrating the city’s third oldest school (April 2017)

FOCUS ON EDUCATION: A little Oola, a lot of Boola (April 2017)

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Harbord C.I. connects with history (April 2017)

CHATTER: Decade rooms, formal gala, and talent shows to mark Harbord Collegiate’s 125th anniversary (March 2017)

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: A long history of activism (February 2017)

NEWS: Celebrating pink at Harbord Collegiate Institute (May 2016)

Reflections on 32 years of service (August 2014)

Jim Snowdon receives lifetime achievement award

PHOTO BY NEILAND BRISSENDEN/GLEANER NEWS: Jim Snowdon, shown in front of his Bloor Street West pharmacy, is known for patient care.

By Geremy Bordonaro

Dr. James “Jim” Snowdon has been pharmacist to the Annex for 47 years. Serving clients from his eponymous pharmacy with a patient-first, innovative attitude, he’s as likely to be seen chatting and smiling with his customers as he is behind a dispensary.

[pullquote]“I still get up every morning and I want to go and do it one more time”—Jim Snowdon[/pullquote]

It’s a commitment that the Ontario Pharmacists Association has recognized, bestowing Snowdon with its Lifetime Achievement Award last month.

Snowdon has never been in it for the awards, and the recognition is a validation that he has been doing the right thing for all the people he serves.

“It’s all about meeting the people and serving their needs, whatever those needs may be,” Snowdon said. “Sometimes it has nothing to do with pharmacy. Sometimes we’re more like a traffic cop. They ask for an opinion on something and we lead them in the right direction. It’s being that first contact person, being that person that they rely on.”

Snowdon’s family has been in the pharmacy business for over 100 years. This history is easy to see when you enter the pharmacy, where family memorabilia lines the walls. The history of medicine is also on display: a museum near the counter showcases all sorts of old-fashioned medical tools. In the centre, in pride of place, is a pillar with diplomas for himself, his father, and his grandfather.

“I’m very much entrenched in the pharmacy world,” explains Snowdon. “Lots of folks get up in the morning and don’t want to go wherever they’ve got to go. I still get up every morning and I want to go and do it one more time.”

It’s an enthusiasm that doesn’t go unnoticed; in fact, it permeates the space.

Snowdon’s office — in the front of the store — is marked by openness and colourful decorations, so patients are immediately put at ease with a friendly attitude and welcoming spirit.

According to long-time Snowdon staff pharmacist Jelena Sergejev, this attitude is a cornerstone of Snowdon’s ideals.

“This pharmacy is very patient-care oriented,” said Sergejev. “He’s actually the leader of this in the profession. He was my mentor. He’s so focused on providing the patient with care and giving back to the profession.”

She is just one of the many student interns that Snowdon has mentored over the years, igniting in them a passion for patient care and service.

“He’s a boss but he’s not bossy. He’s very gentle. And he brings that to the work place,” Sergejev said. “Whoever works here will end up working here a long time. He brings the best out of us, and out of everybody.”

But it’s not just a kind attitude that Dr. Snowdon brings to the craft; he has led the pharmacy profession throughout his career. He was one of the first pharmacists to start offering flu shots to his customers back in 2010, long before other pharmacies started offering the vaccine.

“He’s been at the beginning of so many things,” said Anneke Medema-Allan, who has been working for Snowdon for nearly thirty years. “He went back to school to get his Pharm D [doctorate in pharmacy]. At the time he said ‘this is where pharmacy is going to be going’. And darned if two years ago the University of Toronto said pharmacists have to have their Pharm D.”

Since Snowdon has been in the pharmacy game for so long it might be expected that he would grow complacent but this is the furthest thing from the truth. He is always looking for a new way to be innovative.

“For us we’ve always tried to drag the ball forward ourselves,” Snowdon said. “I’ve always had that curiosity and desire to stretch the world, to be ahead of the curve, to do something new and good for people.”

PHOTO BY GEREMY BORDONARO/GLEANER NEWS: Heritage Toronto unveiled a plaque commemorating Albert Jackson, Canada’s first Black letter carrier, on July 21. The plaque is located on Lombard Street, outside the former Toronto General Post Office. Jackson lived and delivered mail in the Annex, and was the subject of The Postman, a play performed on Brunswick Avenue, Palmerston Boulevard, and Major Street in 2015.

READ MORE

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Moving to the centre (February 2017)

Delivering history in Harbord Village (April 2015)