Hi Neighbour,
I hope that summer has been treating you well. It’s been a busy and exciting time in our beautiful part of Toronto.
Last week, I joined business and community leaders from the Danforth Village BIA to celebrate the recognition of Danforth between Main and Pharmacy as “Banglatown”, in honour of the district’s proud Bangladeshi character. I’ll continue working with the city and community to formalize this recognition through signage.
We also hosted a community BBQ in Topham Park to celebrate the long-awaited start of construction on the new Clubhouse. Thanks to everyone who came out, and to all the community leaders whose advocacy made this project possible. We’re all looking forward to a new clubhouse being finished this winter.
It was great to chat with so many neighbours last night at Beaches Jazz StreetFest, while enjoying some great live music. If you haven’t checked it out yet, hopefully I’ll see you there tonight.
Read on for more information on some of the great initiatives and events happening around our community. My team and I are always here to help answer your questions and address your concerns, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
See you out there,
– Brad
In This Issue
Updates & Announcements from City Hall
- City Hall Updates🆕
Local Events
- Harmony Good Food Market
- The 35th Annual Beaches Jazz Festival (Jazz StreetFest) – July 6-30
Community Programs & Employment
- BCCS Girls Sports Initiative
- Centre55 Seniors Summer Courses
- Beaches Sandbox Summer Senior Drop-in Program🆕
- Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance (SAHM) Program🆕
Neighbourhood News
- Bob Acton Park Improvements – Aug 10th Consultation 🆕
- Main Street Terrace Celebrating 50 year Anniversary 🆕
Work in the Ward
- East-end Transit Changes, including 501 and 503 service
- O’Connor Construction
- Hydro Work
Thanks for taking the time to read my bi-weekly newsletter! If you have any events, news, or ideas to share for our next one – please reach out to my office. Send me an email at [email protected], and we can get you included in our next issue.
Updates & Announcements from City Hall
City Hall Updates 🆕
Last week City Council met to discuss a number of important city-wide issues, including the need to open up additional spaces within the City’s dedicated refugee shelter system. I stood alongside fellow councillors and our new Mayor, Olivia Chow, to thank the federal and provincial governments for the funding that will be provided to the City of Toronto. Most critically, this included $97 million from the federal government that has enabled the City to open additional shelter beds for refugees and asylum seekers arriving here in Toronto. The province will also be providing more rent supplements to help people within our shelter system move into permanent housing, which is something that Council has long been advocating for.
In recognition of one of the many communities that have already made a home here in Toronto, I passed a motion at Council to officially designate Danforth Avenue, between Main Street and Pharmacy Avenue, as Banglatown. As the home of Canada’s largest Bangla community, it’s an area that is already locally referred to as “Banglatown” and its time to make it official. The strength and resilience of this Bengali community, and all that it does here in the East End and across the City to build community and celebrate the tradition and beauty of Bengali culture in Canada, deserve recognition. I am glad to share that my motion received unanimous support at Council.
Local Events
Harmony Good Food Market
Harmony Good Food Market is organizing an affordable and fresh produce market from now until October 2023. This great initiative, led by Harmony CFC, is promoting an affordable farmers market to shop for fresh local produce and a space to socialize and meet others in the neighbourhood.
This summer, visit the Harmony Good Food Market on Tuesday afternoons from 3pm-5pm! You definitely do not want to miss it.
35th Annual Beaches Jazz Festival (Jazz StreetFest)
The Beaches International Jazz Festival is back and better than ever as it celebrates its 35th anniversary. From humble beginnings in Kew Gardens to a now four-week run across the East End of Toronto, the Beaches Jazz Festival promises to impress audiences with its all-star line-up. From soul to big band to funk to rock to R&B, this year’s Beaches Jazz Festival has something for everyone.
The ultimate Festival favourite, StreetFest returns to Queen Street East, July 27-29th, spanning two kilometres along Queen Street East from Woodbine Avenue to Beech Avenue, transforming the Street with over 40 live bands performing everything from classic blues to indie rock to Latin to R&B, and more.
It runs:
Thursday, July 27 from 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Friday, July 28 from 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Saturday, July 29 from 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
WHERE: StreetFest is located along Queen St. East between Woodbine and Beech Aves.
The 2023 season will conclude at Woodbine Park from July 28 – July 30 with the return of Groovin’ in the Park on July 28 & 29th featuring a showcase of Toronto’s Funk, Soul & House music scene at the OLG Main Stage. Don’t miss performances from house legend, Mark Farina, as well as 14-piece brasshop funk beast, My Son the Hurricane.
The countdown is on and the Festival can’t wait to play its vital role uniting our local community while celebrating and showcasing the incredible talent Toronto has to offer. Here’s to another 35 years of making amazing memories through music and culture.
Community Programs & Employment
BCCS Girls Sports Initiative
Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services (BCS) presents Girls Sports Initiative this July on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 4pm to 7pm at Dentonia Park and other local parks.
Working to reduce the gender-gap in sports activities in the South Asian community, girls are encouraged to attend. For more information about weekly details, please register here.
Centre55 Seniors Summer Courses
Don’t let the summer heat get you down. Centre 55 is offering two courses for Seniors running from July to the end of August. Contact info below!
Beaches Sandbox Summer Senior Drop-in Program
Beaches Sandbox is offering some great services to assist the seniors community in Beaches-East York!
If you or someone you know needs tech help, look no further. Beaches Sandbox has organized appointment based tech help sessions on Tuesdays between 10am – 12pm.
Beaches Sandbox is also hosting socializing afternoons on Thursdays from 12pm – 2pm. Take some time to drop by this summer!
For more information, email at [email protected] or call 416-928-0755.
Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance (SAHM) Program
The Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance (SAHM) program has been organized to support the seniors community with services ranging from garden and yard work to light housekeeping.
If you or anyone you know is looking for more assistance around their home, contact Kevin at 416-531-8447 or email [email protected] for more information.
Neighbourhood News
Bob Acton Park Improvements – Aug 10th Consultation
On August 10th from 4-7pm come by Bob Acton Park under the shade pavilion to give your feedback on the improvements and new playground coming to Bob Acton Park! You’ll have a chance to share your thoughts on the preliminary park master plan as well as three playground design options. The project team and I will be there to hear your ideas on how we can improve the park so that it meets the needs of the community and we can all continue enjoying it for years to come.
In addition to the pop-up, you can submit your thoughts on the three playground options by taking this online survey. The survey closes August 18th, 2023.
Stay up-to-date with the project website: Bob Acton Park Improvements – City of Toronto
Main Street Terrace Celebrating 50 Year Anniversary
Main Street Terrace Long Term Care Home has been serving the elderly and vulnerable population of The Beaches-East York for 50 amazing years! They are marking their 50th anniversary this week – congratulations on the milestone and thank you for your many years of care.
Work in the Ward
East-end Transit Changes
In response to customer feedback, the TTC has restarted 503 replacement bus service along Kingston Road and Queen Street East. This takes the place of the 501 replacement bus service. 501 streetcar service continues to operate.
Currently, the 503 service is running every 10 minutes seven days a week until 8 p.m. After July 30, this route will return for all day service seven days a week. A s of July 30, these vehicles will appear on your transit apps or the service schedule.
As of May 2023, the City of Toronto and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) started work on infrastructure upgrades at the intersection of Coxwell Avenue and Lower Gerrard Street East/Eastwood Road. As of May 7, the bus/streetcar loop at Main Street Station will be closed for construction to repair structural pavement and the concrete bus platform on the south side of the station. Beginning June 18, several construction projects in the east end of the City will affect TTC bus and streetcar service including the 504 King and 505 Dundas. Starting June 29, sidewalk replacement and road reconstruction will begin on O’Connor Drive from St Clair Avenue East to Bermondsey Road. The TTC is working hard to ensure that customers have as many options as possible to get to and from their destinations.
The impacted stations include Broadview Station, Coxwell Station, and Main Street Station. Please visit TTC’s website for a list of affected routes for more information.
Coxwell Avenue and Lower Gerrard Street East/Eastwood Road Construction
Main Street Station Service Changes
O’Connor Construction
Starting June 29, sidewalk replacement and road reconstruction will begin on O’Connor Drive from St Clair Avenue East to Bermondsey Road. As part of the work, the contractor will replace sections of damaged sidewalks, excavate the road, and install a new concrete road base. Work will begin on the west side of O’Connor Drive and move over to the east side afterwards. This will see Pedestrian Improvements, Vehicular Traffic Improvements, Sustainability/Green Features, and Underground Infrastructure Improvements.
Hydro Work: Danforth Overhead Rebuild Phase 2A
Toronto Hydro is currently doing some upgrades on Danforth. The boundaries for the project include Dentonia Park Avenue (North), Thyra Avenue (East), Danforth Avenue (South), and Avonlea Boulevard (West).
Thanks for taking the time to read my bi-weekly newsletter! If you have any events, news, or ideas to share for our next one – please reach out to my office! Send me an email at [email protected] and we can get you included in our next issue.
Have questions, comments or concerns? Just hit reply to this email and get in touch with me.
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About Brad Bradford - - -
