As we look back on a jam-packed week, and across a jam-packed weekend ahead, we began Friday with a reflection and commemoration to honour the lives taken too soon in the East End on July 22, 2018.
In our communities and across Toronto, our hearts are heavy in remembrance of the senseless act of violence that took place on the Danforth 4 years ago. This tragedy changed so many lives in the community, and Friday’s evening memorial reminded us of the tremendous strength, compassion and sense of community we have here in the East. The lives of Reese Fallon & Julianna Kozis, the survivors and their loved ones remain in our thoughts.
After months of work with the community, I’m pleased our City will be moving ahead on an official laneway renaming in her namesake in the coming months. It’s a small way we can honour the outsized presence she had in the lives of many. Forever #DanforthStrong.
City Hall Updates
This week we closed off a big City Council chapter: the final Council meeting of the term. With nearly 500 items covered over four days, this is the level of government closest to what matters to you. Whether we are addressing affordable housing, supporting our action on climate change, improving road safety or helping our small business, there is a ton we are getting done here at the City.
I’m proud of the work we have moved ahead through the last 4 Council days, and past 4 years, but it couldn’t have been accomplished without each and every one of you.
Together, we’ve moved ahead to deliver community-led change and bring the voices of #BEY into the Council chambers. It’s been an honour to represent your ideas, feedback, and suggestions here at City Hall. Thanks for all of your hard work and contributions this term. Our community – and our city – is all the stronger for it.
This month, we advanced the dream of the 15-min. neighbourhood – taking action to make it happen. From Committee to Council, we’re finding ways to make our neighborhoods even more lively & functional. This week at Council, we we moved ahead on a plan for small-scale retail to return to our communities!
The race to respond to climate change is on, and here at the City of Toronto we have set an aggressive target for ourselves: reaching net zero emissions by 2040. But, our EV charging infrastructure is lacking – with only 0.2 chargers for every 1000 residents. If we want Toronto to reach its goal of 30% electric vehicles by 2030 – we need to accelerate the pace. Happy to see Council take steps towards this progress. We approved a series of new charging stations with 3 stations coming here to BEY on Roseheath, Strathmore, and Queen St. E so folks can keep making the switch to EV.
We’re making progress on making housing more affordable by moving forward with a plan to create a new by-law to help prevent “renovictions” by any and all means available to us as a municipality. The complexity of Toronto’s housing crisis ties into issues beyond just the scale of the City, but I want to ensure we keep doing what we can here to reduce illegal evictions and stop us from losing rental housing that people can afford.
Toronto Search and Rescue – Marine is an all-volunteer charity with First Responders who are highly trained, Accredited Members of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary supporting waterfront communities like #BEY every year, savings lives on the water. Their dedicated team assists people in distress and danger, and saving lives and increasing safety through on-water surveillance, education and outreach programs.
An incredible organization that’s working to keep our waterfronts safe for everyone. Thank you for taking me out on the water & for continuing your invaluable work. We appreciate all you do for our community. That is why I am glad to see our motion pass this week at Council, asking to review opportunities for more support.
Community Highlights 🎶
Thursdsay evening was a jam-packed night of friendly neighbours, amazing live music & tons of great food, the last weekend of Beaches Jazz Festival started off with a bang. I would like to give a big thank you to everyone that made this weekend possible, from the organizers and volunteers, to the performers and community members that came out. Streetfest continues tonight in #BEY, so stop by & check it out!
This past week it was great to see that Pegasus Community Project back with their annual picnic after a long 2-year hiatus. Already looking forward to your next event in October!
The community was out in full force last Saturday at the East York Blues Fest. An incredible event organized by Toronto East Rotary with local Toronto musical talent, art, and food. To all who came by to say hello, thank you!
Upcoming Events
As the weather heats up, so do the many events and programs taking place across Beaches-East York! This weekend, the OLG Weekend Series featuring new and returning artists, food trucks, vendors, a beer garden, and more will be taking place at Woodbine Park. Friday and Saturday nights are devoted to the 7th Annual Groovin’ in the Park, a showcase of Toronto’s Funk, Soul & House music scene, and Sunday night concludes the Festival with a lineup of fan favourites.
On Sunday July 24th at 1:30 PM, join the Toronto Chinese Mennonite Church in welcoming our new Ukrainian friends and hearing their stories. Come listen to experiences of fleeing the war and how we can help as a community.
It’s that time of year again! Movie Nights In The Beach are back! Wednesdays from sunset to 11pm, join The Beach BIA for weekly movies, music, games and snacks at Kew Gardens Park. Admission is free! Next week’s film is Eddie the Eagle. You won’t want to miss it!
Coming to a Mailbox Near You!
The 2022 edition of our physical newsletter has been mailed out and will be arriving on your doorstep in the coming days. So much has happened over the last four years together, and my team and I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight all the incredible events, community updates and progress we have made together. New this year, we created newsletters specifically for your neighborhood, meaning you get to hear about all the incredible hyper-local news in your area. We hope you enjoy!
This time of year always seems to fly by, so don’t miss out on all the fun: Make sure you stay in the #BEY loop by following my Twitter, Instagram or Facebook page.
– Brad
In This Issue
Updates & Announcements from City Hall
- Updated Toronto EV Strategy 🆕
- Continuing progress on road safety with Vision Zero 🆕
- Toronto Search and Rescue Supports Approved 🆕
- Rapid Housing Phase II delivers 260 new affordable and supportive homes in Toronto
- Housing & Planning Committee updates
- Road Safety Improvements
- TTC Subway Closures for July – Revised 🆕
- COVID-19 Vaccine Updates 🆕
- Streetfest – July 22 – 24 🆕
- Groovin’ in the Park – July 22 – 24🆕
- Stories from Ukraine – July 24
- Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Working in Hospitality – July 27 🆕
- Movie Night in the Beach – July 27
- Access Alliance: 10th Annual Summer Spalsh – July 28 🆕
- Sts Raphael, Nikolaos and Irene CGOC Community BBQ Fundraiser – July 30 🆕
- Hibajs and Helmets: Learn to Ride – August 4
- Afro Carib Fest – August 21 & 22 🆕
- Date with the Danny – Until August 21
Community Programs & Employment
- Free 4-part Webinar Series: All about the urban forest 🆕
- Awakening Artists Mentorship Program
- ArtMEETS workshops
- Join the Young Ravine Leaders!
- H & H Social Club
- Community Centre 55 Garden Volunteers wanted
- Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance Program
- Aquatic leadership courses & Lifeguard recruitment
- De-escalation training for street-front retailers
- TRCA is hiring Lifeguards & Camp Councillors!
- Volunteer with Garden @ Kimbourne
- Registration for CampTO still open
- Registration for Toronto Parks and Recreation Programs is open
- ILEO Community Market 🆕
- Caring for our Gardens and Ravines 🆕
- Grace Pascoe Food Bank at Calvary Baptist Church Seeking Donations 🆕
- The Steve & Sally Stavro Family YMCA is opening! 🆕
- Beaches Art Installations: Winter Stations Return for Summer!
- Hope for Ukraine – Donations Needed
- Courtyard Farmer’s Market
- Lawn Maintenance Reminder
- Harmony Good Food Market
- BEY Foodbanks
- East Lynn Park Farmers Market
- East York Farmer’s Market is open!
- Deeply Rooted: New East York Famers Market
- Call for walking guide volunteers with AIC
- Taylor Creek Trail – Temporary Closure 🆕
- Local Road Resurfacing Pre-Construction Notice 🆕
- Intersection Improvement Works at Coxwell Avenue and Dundas Street East 🆕
- Notice of Road Closure – Stephenson Avenue
- Watermain Relining project – Park Ave temporary directional change
- Toronto Hydro Overhead & Underground Civil & Electrical Upgrade; Project 400 Scarborough Road
- Toronto Hydro Overhead Electrical Upgrade; Queen St. E.
- Danforth Extension Installation
- Watermain Replacement and Road Resurfacing on Denvale Road
- Watermain Relining and Cleaning
- Sewer Main Relining Upgrades at Various Locations
- Toronto Hydro Underground Electrical Upgrade; Project Kingston – Waverley
- Watermain Replacement and Road Resurfacing on Denvale Road
- Toronto Hydro – Overhead Civil & Electrical Upgrade; Project Danforth
- Toronto Hydro – Danforth Ave. Cable Chamber Rebuild
- Munroe Park Avenue Stairs Closed for Construction
Reminder!🎶🎉 Jazz Fest Road Closures
This weekend marks the final weekend of the beloved Jazzfest in Beaches-East York. To accommodate the festival and the many guests to the area this weekend, Queen St. E. will be closed to vehicle traffic from Woodbine Ave. to Balsam Ave, Friday evening through until Sunday. Learn more about the Streetfest road closure here.
In addition, Groove in the Park, a Jazzfest event, will be taking place Friday through until Sunday evening at Woodbine Park.
Updates & Announcements from City Hall
Updated EV Strategy 🆕
The race to respond to climate change is on, and here at the City of Toronto we have set an aggressive target for ourselves: reaching net zero emissions by 2040. But, our EV charging infrastructure is lacking – with only 0.2 chargers for every 1000 residents. If we want #Toronto to reach its goal of 30% electric vehicles by 2030 – we need to accelerate the pace.
Happy to see Council take steps towards this progress. We approved a series of new charging stations with 3 stations coming here to BEY on Roseheath, Strathmore, and Queen St. E so folks can keep making the switch to EV.
Continuing Progress on Road Safety with Vision Zero 🆕
Fatalities on our roads and streets are preventable – and with strong efforts, we can reach our Vision Zero goal of reducing the number of fatalities and serious injuries on our roads to 0.
This week I introduced a motion to expand our ability to create “community safety zones” to put in more automated speed cameras on our streets beyond just in-and-around school zones, and modernizing the way we add in road safety measures like crosswalks. As it stands now, a large consideration of whether or not crosswalks are warranted are based on a study of how many “preventable accidents” occurred during the study period. This change will make it so we don’t wait for folks to get into an accident before we put in a crosswalk.
Review of Toronto Search and Rescue Supports for the Waterfront Approved 🆕
Toronto Search and Rescue – Marine is an all-volunteer charity with First Responders who are highly trained, Accredited Members of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary supporting waterfront communities like #BEY every year, savings lives on the water. Their dedicated team assists people in distress and danger, and saving lives and increasing safety through on-water surveillance, education and outreach programs.
An incredible organization that’s working to keep our waterfronts safe for everyone. Thank you for taking me out on the water & for continuing your invaluable work. We appreciate all you do for out waterfront community. That is why I am thrilled to see our motion pass this week at Council, asking to review opportunities for more support.
Rapid Housing Phase II delivers 260 new affordable and supportive homes in Toronto
This week brought news of seven new affordable and supportive housing developments as part of Phase Two of the federal Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI). RHI funding will enable the rapid creation of new supportive and affordable homes, and two thirds of the homes also providing wrap-around support services and be prioritized for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. We welcome one of these locations to our own community here in Beaches-East York.
In total, these seven projects will create 260 new affordable and supportive homes in
Toronto and will grow the capacity and expertise of Toronto’s non-profit housing
development sector. The projects being announced today are being led by:
- Wigwamen Incorporated at 525 Markham Rd.
- Akwa Honsta Non-Profit Aboriginal Homes at 136 Kingston Rd. (In #BEY!)
- St. Clare’s Multifaith Housing Society, at 1120 Ossington Ave
- Canadian Helen Keller Centre, at 150 Eighth St.
- WoodGreen Community Housing at 60 Bowden St. and 1080 Queen St. E.; and
- St. Felix Centre at 25 Augusta Ave.
In addition to capital funding through RHI, the City has applied its Open Door program incentives to these projects, providing relief to Indigenous and non-profit partners from development charges, planning and building fees, and subject to City Council approval will waive property taxes for the duration of affordability, in most cases for over 40 years. The City is also supporting the rapid delivery of these sites through the Concept 2 Keys programs’ priority development review program.
Planning & Housing Updates
Big steps forward were made at the Planning and Housing Committee meeting this past week. We are working hard with our communities to navigate the complex housing hurdles we face in Toronto, and expand our housing options and opportunities, city-wide. This week, we moved ahead with several key items, including the advancement of the City’s ground-breaking Inclusionary Zoning policy. In addition, we continued our work on allowing small-scale retail spaces in neighbourhoods, making possible multiplexes and reducing the frequency and impacts of renovictions.
These are exciting advancements made their way to City Council for final approval this week!
Road Safety Improvements
Beaches-East York is moving ahead with various road safety improvements following a successful day of Toronto and East York Community Council last week.
Residents can anticipate the installation of speed humps at 6 new locations:
- Laneway south of Kingston Rd, E and W of Southwood Rd
- Kingsmount Park Rd – Gerrard St E to Eastwood Rd
- Plaxton Dr – St. Clair Ave E to Ferris Rd
- Rosevear Ave – Dawes Rd to Newman Ave
- Haslett Ave – Kingston Rd to Norway Ave
- Hemlock Ave – Robbins Ave to Maughan Cres
- Coleridge Ave – Lumsden Ave to Milverton Blvd
- Oakcrest Ave – Amroth Ave to Westlake Ave
In addition, all-way stop controls will be installed at the following intersections:
- Amsterdam Ave & Westview Ave
- Epsom Ave & Westlake Ave
- Glenmount Park Rd & Love Cres
With road safety as one of my top priorities, we look forward to delivering these traffic calming measures.
TTC Subway Closures for July
Check out below to see the scheduled subway closures for the month of July.
COVID-19 Vaccine Updates 🆕
Vaccines have now been approved for children under the age of 5. In addition, individuals over the age of 18 are now able to receive their second booster (4th dose) of the COVID-19 vaccination.
Following last week’s exciting update on the expansion of COVID doses, there’s lots to know! Keep yourself up-to-date on recent updates in BEY by visiting our one-stop-shop for everything vaccine related here.
East Toronto Health Partners’ (ETHP) COVID-19 Outreach Centres in Flemingdon Park, Taylor-Massey and Thorncliffe Park now offers walk-in prescriptions for COVID-19 treatments, including the Paxlovid pill. Our COVID-19 Outreach Centres also offer mental health counselling and other services that support COVID-19 recovery and help our priority communities better prepare for additional waves of the virus. Walk-in COVID-19 PCR tests, take-home PCR test kits and vaccines also continue to be available at these sites.
All clinics in East Toronto now offer fourth doses to individuals who are aged 60 and older at the time of vaccination, and First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members who are aged 18 and older at the time of vaccination. These individuals must have received their third dose more than 140 days ago.
Local appointments can be booked in advance at www.tehn.ca/covid19/covid-19-vaccinecineAppointment. You can also use the provincial booking system online or at 1-833-943-3900.
Local Events
Streetfest 🆕
The 34th annual Beaches International Jazz Festival presents the return of Canada’s largest free StreetFest. More than 150 artists will perform Funk, R&B, Latin, Swing, Big Band, New Age and Jazz on selected Queen St. East street corners, balconies and patios. Performances take place from Thursday, July 21st – Saturday, July 23rd along Queen St E from 7:00 – 11:00 pm nightly.
Groovin’ in the Park🆕
The Beaches International Jazz Festival proudly presents the OLG Weekend Series featuring new and returning artists, food trucks, vendors, a beer garden, and more. Friday and Saturday nights are devoted to the 7th Annual Groovin’ in the Park, a showcase of Toronto’s Funk, Soul & House music scene, and Sunday night concludes the Festival with a lineup of fan favourites.
Stories from Ukraine
On Sunday July 24th at 1:30 PM, join the Toronto Chinese Mennonite Church in welcoming our new friends and hearing their stories. Come listen to experiences of fleeing the war and how we can help as a community.
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Working in Hospitality🆕
The Hospitality Workers Training Centre (HWTC) is a non-profit that helps train unemployed or underemployed Torontonians to help them gain skills, confidence and certifications to work in the hospitality industry. They have various programs that can assist everyone find jobs, such as young adults, OW/ODSP recipients and simply those looking for work.
HWTC is hosting an event to help inform people about jobs available on July 27 called, “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Working in Hospitality.” The hospitality industry in great need for entry-level workers right now so it is a great time to jump in!
Movie Night in the Beach
It’s that time of year again! Movie Nights In The Beach are back! Wednesdays from sunset to 11pm, join The Beach BIA for weekly movies, music, games and snacks at Kew Gardens Park. Admission is free!
Check out the schedule and get ready for a ton of fun! Movies, music, lawn games, snacks and GIVEAWAYS.
Get your dinner or movie snack at any of our 80+ restaurants and eateries in the Beach.
Next week’s film is Eddie the Eagle. You won’t want to miss it!
Access Alliance: 10th Annual Summer Splash🆕
Access Alliance will be hosting their 10th Annual Summer Splash, a community fun day for the residents of Taylor Massey, Oakridge and surrounding neighbourhoods on July 28th in the Taylor Creek park. Stop by to meet new friends, enjoy a BBQ and have some fun in the sun!
Sts Raphael, Nikolaos and Irene CGOC Glebemount Ave Community BBQ Fundraiser 🆕
You’re invited to join Sts Raphael, Nikolaos and Irene Greek Orthodox Church for their community BBQ fundraiser on Saturday, July 30 from 11am – 2pm. Stop by for delicious food and even better company
Hibajs and Helmets: Learn to Ride
Join Access Alliance for their workshop series, Hijabs & Helmets: Learn to Ride taking place on August 4th, and August 11th.
Access Alliance will provide all equipment, snacks and tokens to the participants. Riders of all skills are welcome and you do not have to wear Hijab to participate in any of our program so feel free to join us! From 5 pm- 7 pm, meet at the Access Point on Danforth (3079 Danforth Avenue) for an evening of fun with friends!
Afro Carib Fest 🆕
The award winning Afro-Carib Fest is back, LIVE and in-person to provide you with an unforgettable experience. Afro Carib Fest (ACF), now in its 11th year will be held at Thomson Memorial Park (1005 Brimley Road, Scarborough) from 12pm – 9pm on Saturday August 20th, 2022 and Sunday August 21st, 2022.
After a 2 year hiatus from the in person gathering, ACF is very happy to return to its pre-pandemic glory, providing cultural joy and shared excitement to all festival attendees. Afro Carib Fest (ACF) is the first of its kind that merges the African and Caribbean cultures together in celebration of our cultural heritage and diversity. The festival will entertain audiences with live musical performances and fun filled, interactive activities, while appreciating the richness of the cultural fabric that strengthens our communities.
Join us for a fun filled weekend for the whole family, including live music and dance performances from local and international artists, cultural parade, vendors and food trucks, drum and dance lessons, kids zone, dance competitions with amazing prizes, raffle draw, and much more! For more information about the festival, please visit www.afrocaribfestival.com.
Date with the Danny Festival
The Danforth has so much to offer. From incredible restaurants to first-class services, our local businesses have something for everyone! This year, the local BIA is working with our small-businesses to promote all the Danforth Mosaic area has to offer.
So grab your partner, sibling, friend, parent or child and come check out the outdoor dining, live music, art + food tours, weekend sidewalk sales on a Date with the Danny!
Learn more here.
Community Programs & Employment
Free 4-part Webinar Series: All about the urban forest 🆕
Discover over 35 different species you can find throughout the Greater Toronto Area! Join LEAF for a four-part webinar series. Led by LEAF’s Young Urban Forest Leaders, this webinar series will help you gain ID-tips, learn more about the significance trees and shrubs have for people and urban wildlife, and discover new ways to support your urban forest!
Look-a-Like Species – Tuesday, August 9, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Native Shrubs – Thursday, August 11, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Edible Species – Tuesday, August 16, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Wildlife – Thursday, August 18, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
We’ll be exploring new species each evening, so don’t miss your chance to meet our city’s trees and shrubs!
BONUS: Event attendees may also be eligible to receive free native shrubs (conditions apply).
Register at https://www.yourleaf.org/event/aug-09-2022/all-about-urban-forest
Awakenings Artists Mentorship Program
Calling artists for the 2022 Awakenings Artist Mentorship program.
Esteemed curator Ashley McKenzie-Barnes has partnered with Toronto History Museums to offer mentorship to 10 artists in developing artwork responding to an anti-colonialism, anti-oppression and anti-racism Awakening, specific to City of Toronto Toronto History Museums. This first-of-its-kind mentorship opportunity is open to emerging and mid-career artists 21 years of age or older, working in contemporary visual art, design and interdisciplinary practices with a focus on projects from the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Artists, apply to the 2022 Awakenings Artist Mentorship program by July 29 at https://www.toronto.ca/ArtistMentorship
ArtMEETS workshops
In case you missed it, East End Arts is ecstatic to present their program, ArtMEETS, for its fifth year this summer! Led by talented, engaging, and supportive artist facilitators, each ArtMEETS workshop is an opportunity for adults to learn a new art skill, meet new people, and let your creative side shine!
This year’s workshops are focused on textile art skills, and are all Pay What You Can from $10-50! Workshops run on Saturday afternoons in July and August (eight workshops total) from 1-4pm. Learn about the full workshop lineup, and register while space is available here.
Join the Young Ravine Leaders!
Gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Toronto’s ravine network while learning from and connecting with industry professionals through the Young Ravine Leaders (YRL)! Toronto youth (18 – 29 years old) interested in ravine ecology, urban forestry and environmental stewardship are invited to apply to this free, online program. This program is open to all youth, but seeks to support those from Neighbourhood Improvement Areas and/or underrepresented groups within arboriculture and urban forestry. YRL is organized by LEAF and funded by the City of Toronto.
Link: https://www.yourleaf.org/young-ravine-leaders
H & H Social Club
Hijabs and Helmets presents the H & H Social Club! Meeting every Tuesday from 3 – 5pm at Access Point at 3079 Danforth Avenue, join the H & H Social Club to meet fellow hijabi riders and participate in weekly workshops such as bike maintenance, healthy lifestyle, motivational speeches, Movie/ Game Nights, field trips, outdoor activities and more!
Community Community Centre 55 Garden Volunteers
Community Centre 55 is looking for volunteer Gardeners! If you have a green thumb and would like to participate, contact Jade at [email protected].
Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance Program
Summer is here and Toronto Intergenerational Partnerships is offering assistance for seniors in need of help with lawn maintenance. To register, contact Kevin at [email protected] or call (416) 531-8447 ext. 501.
Aquatic leadership courses & Lifeguard recruitment
#CityOfTO is calling for qualified residents to apply for lifeguard, swim instructor, wading pool and aquatic assistant roles. Visit Toronto.ca/recjobs to learn more!
Aquatic leadership courses are also available for those interested in becoming certified: https://efun.toronto.ca/torontofun/Activities/ActivitiesAdvSearch.asp?SectionId=6&BasicSearch=True
De-escalation training available for street-front retailers
The City of Toronto is offering de-escalation training sessions for street-front retailers. The sessions are geared to managers or employees who interact with the general public regularly and would like to learn strategies and skills for communicating with individuals who may be street involved or displaying agitated behaviours. Level 1 training must be completed before taking Level 2 training. Learn more and register for free here.
TRCA is hiring Lifeguards & Camp Councillors!
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is now hiring Lifeguards and Camp Counsellors for its 2022 summer season! Enjoy a summer job with competitive wages and benefits that include FREE access to all TRCA parks and discounts on activities across the GTA!
Click here to learn more about these positions & apply.
Volunteer with Garden @ Kimbourne
Garden @ Kimbourne is looking for volunteers to help with their local community garden. The group gathers every Wednesday from 6pm – 8pm and Sundays from Noon to 2:30pm. Enhance your Green Thumb and get involved by visiting their website!
Registration for CampTO still open
The City of Toronto’s CampTO and Adapted CampTO is back in every neighbourhood across Toronto this summer! This exciting camp experience for children ages four to 16 years makes for fun memories close to home, with physical activities, arts and crafts, nature-based programs and outdoor activities in parks.
CampTO Plus is also available for children interested in a particular specialty such as arts, cooking, creative writing, drama, dance, science and sport.
Registration began on Tuesday, April 12 and camps run from July 4 to September 2. More information is available at toronto.ca/camps.
Registration for Toronto Parks and Recreation Programs is open
Registration for summer Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation recreation programs is now open!
Join an outdoor fitness class, learn a new skill or meet people in the community across thousands of courses on offer this season. Explore programs & learn how to register here.
Neighbourhood News
ILEO Community Market 🆕
Come support local Scarborough entrepreneurs at the ILEO Community Market hosted by RioCan! Every Saturday this July and August, discover locally created clothing, home goods and beauty products while enjoying food and entertainment for the whole family. The Inclusive Local Economic Opportunity (ILEO) Community Market is one of the part of Storefront Starter Golden Mile, a programs from the ILEO Initiative supporting new retail businesses in the Greater Golden Mile. It’s designed to help local businesses grow and contribute to the vibrant future of the area
as it undergoes significant redevelopments in the years to come.
ILEO brings together the private, public, and community sectors to ensure that as the community develops, everyone in our neighbourhood has the benefit of taking part through inclusive economic growth opportunities. To learn more about ILEO, visit http://ileo.org
Caring for our Gardens and Ravines 🆕
Our ravines, natural areas and gardens play an important role in our ward. Several City initiatives speak to the importance of biodiversity, pollinators and ravine health. Two volunteer-based organizations are here to support you in making a difference, by removing invasive plants and replacing them with native plants.
Toronto Nature Stewards (TNS) trains volunteers across the city to restore and maintain healthy ravines and natural areas, in partnership with Parks, Forestry and Recreation. Volunteers steward 23 sites on City land. See here for sites and schedules. TNS also provides information here about stewarding private property.
Toronto Master Gardeners (TMG) are horticulturalists who volunteer their time to provide current science-based advice to home gardeners. TMG’s Invasive Species Initiative torontomastergardeners.ca/invasive-species-awareness-initiative provides information about common plants that can escape from gardens and become invasive in our ravines and natural areas.
Please join us in our stewardship and gardening initiatives to remove invasive and plant native species. Our combined actions protect biodiversity, support pollinators and create ecological resilience in a time of climate change.
Grace Pascoe Food Bank at Calvary Baptist Church Seeking Donations 🆕
Grace Pascoe Food Bank at Calvary Baptist Church is seeking donations for new or gently used small kitchen utensils! Items they’re looking for include: paper plates, cutlery, can openers and small pots
Have something to donate? Contact Centre 55 with the information below. Thanks for supporting our incredible BEY food banks!
The Steve & Sally Stavro Family YMCA is opening!
The Steve & Sally Stavro Family YMCA is opening on August 15, 2022! After months of planning, building, and ensuring that your Y is a place where you and your family can shine, the site is officially opening to the public. Located at 907 Kingston Road, visitors can expect affordable fees, diverse programming and state-of-the-art facilities. Click here to learn more, book a visit or become a member!
Beaches Art Installations: Winter Stations Return for Summer!
Three of the popular installations from Winter Stations 2022 will be back in the Beach this summer!
The Beach BIA and The Sud group are inviting residents to once again see the art installations The Hive, Wildlife-guard Chair, and Introspection as they are displayed at prominent locations along Queen Street East in the Beach for the month of July.
The three installations were among the five that had made up the eighth annual Winter Stations exhibition along Woodbine Beach this winter.
The Hive will be located on the north lawn of the R. C. Harris Water Treatment Plant on Queen Street East, at the foot of Victoria Park Avenue.
Wildlife-guard Chair will be on display at Woodbine Park, 1695 Queen St. E.
Introspection will be on display near the front of the Beaches Branch Library, 2161 Queen St. E., at the entrance to Kew Gardens park.
Click here to learn about the stations.
Hope for Ukraine – Donations Needed
Working with many members of both our local and international medical community, Meagan’s HUG is bringing hope to Ukraine families. Beaches – East York has recently become home to several refugees families, and Meagan’s HUG is working to ensure they receive the funding and support needed.
We are providing on the ground support for families traveling to Toronto to continue their cancer treatment. Meagan’s HUG has partnered with some amazing organizations and partners in our city to provide accommodations food, clothing and the essentials to make the transition as easy as possible on these children and families. Thank you for going above and beyond to make a difference!
Your donations to this campaign will go directly to supporting the needs of these families including putting food on the table, clothes on their back and toys to make their new environment as comfortable as possible.
To learn more or get involved, click here.
Courtyard Farmers’ Market
The Courtyard Farmers’ Market returns to Fairmount Park to celebrate a second season!
Their Farmers and diverse Vendor Family bring affordable, nutrient-dense, farm-fresh, Ontario produce, delicious pastries and sumptuous preserves from our small Family farms and local entreprises, to you and your Family!
Happening every Wednesday until October 5, 2022, from 3:30pm – 7:30 pm at the Courtyard Farmers’ Market, Fairmount Park, 1752 Gerrard Street East. Click here to learn more about the market.
Lawn Maintenance Reminder
Let’s keep our community looking beautiful.
This year’s weather has resulted in lush and healthy folliage growth all throughout Beaches-East York. With that in mind, the City would like to remind residences that boulevard area trimming is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. This means that regular lawn maintenance by-laws apply, including grass trimming and weed maintenance regulations. Should the city receive a complaint about the boulevard/curb adjacent to your home, Bylaw would advise you to maintain/trim back the area once the vegetation has reached over the thresholds outline in Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 743.
Together we can help make our neighborhoods looking tidy and beautiful!
Harmony Good Food Market
The 3rd year of the seasonal, outdoor Harmony Good Food Market is here! It is a non-profit affordable produce market in partnership with FoodShare with the intention to increase access to a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to the local community.
We want to extend an invitation to our community partners to join us at our market if you would like to do any outreach for your programs. This could range from activations to engage people or simply providing outreach materials you would like us to share. We are still following safety protocols including masking and maintain safe distances.
The focus is on produce, however it is also a friendly and welcoming space where folks are able to get out safely to connect and feel a sense of community. We have found that the market has become an access point for the community to programs and services beyond the market.
If you’re interested in being part of this year’s market, contact Kathleen at [email protected].
BEY Food Banks
Thanks to the incredible devotion of community volunteers and organizations, as well as generous donations, Beaches-East York is proud to offer several food banks for those in need of support.
Grace Pascoe Care Centre – Calvary Baptist Church & CC55
The Grace Pascoe Care Centre has been a ministry of Calvary for more than 60 years and serves the catchment area from Victoria Park Ave. to Woodbine Ave. and from Danforth Ave. to the lake.
In collaboration with Community Centre 55, food hampers are provided on Thursday evenings from 6 pm to 9 pm.
For more information on the program and how to donate, email [email protected] or call 416-691-2899
Grant AME Church Food Bank & Soup Kitchen
The mission of this ministry is to meet the needs of those in the community experiencing food insecurities by providing groceries, a warm meal and as much as we are able to, provide the much needed essential personal items to anyone in need. Soup Kitchen & book bank hours are Fridays from 4pm – 6pm.
For more information on the program and how to donate, email [email protected] or call 416-690-5169.
FBC offers a meal service every second Wednesday of the Month. The next meal will be on July 13th from 9:30am to 11:00am. For more information on how to participate or donate, call 416.699.7156 or email [email protected].
East Lynn Farmer’s Market
The East Lynn Park Farmers’ Market is back! With enhanced accessibility & plenty of new vendors, there is no shortage of fun at this year’s Beaches-East York market! Happening every Thursday from 3 – 7pm at East Lynn Park. Check out the list of this year’s vendors here!
East York Farmer’s Market is open!
Open every Tuesday from 8am – 2pm at the East York Civic Centre, the East York Farmer’s Market is your one stop shop for everything fresh and delicious!
For more information on the market and to see the full list of 2022 vendors, visit the EYFM Facebook page!
Deeply Rooted: New East York Farmers Market
East York is home to Toronto’s latest farmers market: Deeply Rooted. Located at 455 Cosburn Avenue, the market will be operating every Sunday from 9am – 2pm, beginning May 8. Deeply Rooted is dedicated to creating a farmers market that focuses on highlighting Black and Indigenous vendors. Their market will also generate and circulate money within the Black and Indigenous communities to combat the injustices within the food industry.
To learn more about the market, visit their website here.
Call for walking guide volunteers with AIC
Achilles International Canada (AIC) is in need of able bodied walking guides for our Beaches Chapter. AIC provides opportunities for people with disabilities to achieve their own personal athletic goals. Currently our programs include running, walking and wheelchair rolling.
We encourage all levels and abilities: people who have never run in their lives to those training for marathons. AIC meets every Saturday morning at 8:30 at the Woodbine Beach Parking Lot, Lakeshore Blvd. If you are interested in becoming a walking guide please visit the AIC website to register or come out on a Saturday morning to meet the group.
Work in the Ward
Taylor Creek Trail – Temporary Closure🆕
Taylor Creek Trail will be undergoing much-needed repaving in the coming weeks.
The contractor for this project will be mobilizing to site early August with completion anticipated by early Fall of this year (weather permitting). In order for the contractor to complete this in a timely manner, they will have to close public access to the whole trail.
Our team will continue to update the community as more information becomes available.
Local Road Resurfacing Pre-Construction Notice 🆕
Intersection Improvement Works at Coxwell Avenue and Dundas Street East 🆕
Notice of Road Closure – Stephenson Avenue
Watermain Relining Project – Park Avenue temporary directional change
There is a watermain relining project underway on Beech Ave, between Park Ave and Queen St East. Due to the narrowness of the street, the contractor has requested to close Beech Ave. Local traffic would still be able to access Beech Ave.
Park Ave will be made into a temporary two-way street, which would allow traffic from Balsam Ave, Fir Ave and Fernwood Park Ave to get to Willow Ave to exit the neighbourhood instead of only Beech Ave.
This temporary two-way designation would only be in effect during work hours. The project is expected to be completed by October 2022. Residents on Park Ave will be notified in writing of this change.
Toronto Hydro Overhead & Underground Civil & Electrical Upgrade; Project 400 Scarborough Road
Toronto Hydro Overhead Electrical Upgrade; Queen St. E.
Danforth Extension
Exciting news! The Destination Danforth extension from Dawes Road to Victoria Park Avenue is scheduled to begin on Sunday June 12th (in the evening) and is scheduled to take one month.
Watermain Replacement and Road Resurfacing on Denvale Road
Waterman Cleaning and Realigning
Watermain Cleaning and Relining on Willow Avenue, Park Avenue, Hazel Avenue, Beech Avenue and Balsam Avenue south of Queen Street East, Fir Avenue from Balsam Avenue to Fernwood Park Avenue, and Fernwood Park Avenue from Hazel Avenue to Fir Avenue
Sewer Main Relining Upgrades at Various Locations
The City of Toronto will be rehabilitating existing sewer infrastructure in your area. The project is part of the Council-approved Capital Works Program to renew aging infrastructure, reduce the risk of leaks, and ensure continued long-term reliable sewer service. Depending on the type of repairs needed, construction will be completed in two or three phases over the next 8 months. Each construction phase will last approximately three to seven days.
This work is essential to ensure the City’s infrastructure remains safe, in a state of good repair and able to meet Toronto’s needs. During construction, the contractor is responsible for all aspects of health and safety on site as specified under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act. Click here to learn more about this work.
Streets that will be affected are:
- Yardley
- Westlake Avenue
- Lumsden Ave
- Crewe Avenue
- Westbrook Avenue
- Orley Avenue
- Epsom Avenue
- Chisholm Avenue
- Doncaster Avenue
- Gatwick avenue
- Newmarket avenue
- Gates Avenue
- Harris Avenue
- Danforth Avenue
- Siver Birch
- Pine Avenue
- Beech Avenue
- Spruce Hill Road
Toronto Hydro Underground Electrical Upgrade; Project Kingston – Waverley
Watermain Replacement and Road Resurfacing on Denvale Road
Toronto Hydro – Overhead Civil & Electrical Upgrade; Project Danforth
*Work is expected to begin January 2022.
Toronto Hydro – Danforth Ave. Cable Chamber Rebuild
Munroe Park Avenue Stairs leading to Silver Birch Beach Closed for Construction
Please be advised that the Munro Park Ave stairs leading to Silver Birch Beach will be under construction. The existing wood and brick staircase is being removed, and concrete steps with a metal handrail are being installed. Weather permitting, this is expected to wrap by late fall.
Access to the Beach can be gained from Neville Park Blvd and Nursewood Rd to the east, and Silver Birch Ave and Willow Ave to the west.
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