Hi Neighbour,
We’ve had another two great weeks here in Beaches-East-York. Despite the rainy week, #BEY has been busy with events and of course, excitement over the impending end of another school year!
We have a lot to celebrate this month, starting with the kick-off of #BikeMonth on with May 31, a month dedicated to encouraging people to try riding a bike for the first time, learn new skills, or simply have fun and connect with new people. As a biking advocate and enthusiast, I hope that many of you will travel by two wheels as much as possible throughout the month! On June 1st, we raised the Progress Pride flag & lit the Toronto sign at City Hall to celebrate our 2SLGBTQ+ our community members for Pride Month. Events are taking place throughout the month of June and across the City, including the beloved Pride Parade taking place on June 26. Check out PrideToronto to learn how you can get involved.
The month of June is also National Indigenous Peoples Month, which is a time to learn, reflect, and celebrate the diversity of First Nations, Métis and Inuit across Tkaronto and all of Turtle Island. Get involved this month by checking out the National Film Board of Canada’s Indigenous Cinema or learn more about Indigenous organizations, events and research via the Tkaronto Indigenous Portal.
So much is happening across the City in the next couple weeks, but we can’t forget to highlight some of the great events that have happened right here in #BEY. The East York Skate Park at Stan Wadlow Park saw an incredible facelift and restoration thanks to the many volunteers that showed up for the East York Skate Park BBQ and Community cleanup.
While events pick up around Toronto, we are still busy making change happen here at City Hall. Last week saw the advancement of four key initiatives through the Planning and Housing Committee. Two new affordable housing sites were approved, we moved ahead with the agenda of supporting seventeen new Open Door Affordable Housing Projects, we transition the Toronto Rent Bank into a permanent grant program and we updated Toronto’s Official Plan to better align with our climate goals.
With so much on the go in Beaches-East York, from recreation programs and concerts to CafeTO and Parades, 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
- Planning & Housing Committee Updates 🆕
- Registration for Toronto Parks and Recreation Programs is open 🆕
- Road Safety Measures Approved
- City installing 50 ASE devices across Toronto
- Trenton Modular Housing Breaking Ground
- Amplified Live Music on Patios program extended for 2022
- Upcoming Vaccine Clinics 🆕
- Danforth East Community Association Garage Sale & Food Drive – June 11
- RH McGregor Spring Fair – June 11 🆕
- Beaches Arts & Craft Show – June 11 🆕
- Love Sick – June 14
- Foundations Music Showcase – June 14 🆕
- Kew Beach Lawn Bowling Club & Croquet Open House – June 14 & 18
- Seniors Spring Fling – June 15
- Leuty Lifeguard Station 100th Anniversary & Lifeguard Reunion – June 24 🆕
- Early Beatty Fun Fair – June 25 🆕
- Shepard’s Pie Lunch & Toronto History Presentation – June 28
- Public Meeting to amend Zoning by-law – June 30 🆕
- East York Canada Day Parade & Festival – July 1 🆕
- Q107 Canada Day Picnic – July 1
- Beaches Jazz Festival – July 2-24 🆕
Community Programs & Employment
- H & H Social Club 🆕
- My Smart Commute Campaign 🆕
- Hijabs and Helmets
- De-escalation training available for street-front retailers
- Access Alliance: Hiring Community Program Workers
- TRCA is hiring Lifeguards & Camp Councillors!
- Volunteer with Garden @ Kimbourne
- Free Traditional Cooking Skills Sessions
- Registration for CampTO still open
- East Lynn Park Farmers Market 🆕
- Affordable Housing Access & Social Housing Prioritization Survey
- East York Farmer’s Market is open!
- Bee a good neighbour
- Dogs in the city
- Deeply Rooted: New East York Famers Market
- Call for walking guide volunteers with AIC
- 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
- Williamson Ravine Upgrades
Get active on the water this year with Kayaking, Paddle Boarding & more!
- WSUP Toronto
- Toronto Beach Kayak
- iPaddle Adventures
It’s CafeTO season! Check out this year’s patio map from our Beach BIA and plan your next night out, al fresco style.
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.
Reminder!
Purchase your Canada Day sign & support EY 🇨🇦
The East York Toronto Canada Day Festival is selling lawn signs for $10 with proceeds going to the Canada Day celebration taking place. Signs can be picked up from our Danforth office, or delivery can be arranged.
Updates & Announcements from City Hall
Planning and Housing Committee Updates 🆕
Big steps forward were made at last week’s Planning and Housing Committee! We approved two new affordable housing projects as part of the city’s Housing Now initiative, which will provide a combined around 700 affordable rental units, updated the city’s Official Plan to make sure that our community-building and growth priorities are aligned with our plan to protect the environment and respond to climate change, approved 17 affordable housing projects through the city’s Open Door program, which will provide a total of 919 affordable rental homes across our neighbourhoods and permanently converted the Toronto Rent Bank from a loan program into a grant program to better support residents at risk of eviction.
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.
Road Safety Measures Approved
Beaches-East York is moving ahead with various road safety improvements following a successful day of Toronto and East York Community Council this week. Residents can anticipate the installation of speed humps at 6 new locations:
- Brookside Drive
- Copeland Avenue
- Corley Avenue
- Oak Park Avenue
- Willow Avenue
- Woodrow Avenue
With road safety as one of my top priorities, we look forward to delivering these traffic calming measures.
City installing 50 ASE devices across Toronto
The City of Toronto’s 50 Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) devices are currently rotating to the next round of locations to help reduce speeding at more areas with safety concerns, encourage a wide-ranging deterrent effect and raise public awareness about the need to slow down and obey posted speed limits.
This will be the fifth round of locations since the beginning of enforcement in July 2020. As per provincial requirements, warning signs were installed at all new locations to warn drivers in advance.
Beaches – East York will be receiving two of these new ASE devices, one at Saint Clair Avenue East, West of Marilyn Crescent and one at Kingston Road near Glen Manor Drive. Click here to view all 50 ASE locations.
Trenton Modular Housing Breaking Ground
Yesterday was important day for housing in our city, right here in the East End. As we begin craning in 59 new units of Modular Housing at the corner of Trenton and Cedarvale, we’re building much-needed housing with supports right on site. These units will provide shelter and opportunity for the new neighbours joining us in the months ahead. This work speaks to what we can do now, and in the future. With modular construction, we can get people into housing in months, not years. It’s an innovative way we are supporting residents experiencing homelessness, while improving the supply of affordable housing in our City. Thank you to all those in Beaches- East York and Toronto who participated in consultations, meetings, & everything in-between. Together, we’re making housing happen.
Amplified Live Music on Patios program extended for 2022
After building & launching the program here in Beaches-East York last summer, Council voted to extend the Amplified Live Music on Patios program this year. As things shape up for an amazing Summer 2022, we’re continuing the work to support our local artists and businesses.
Upcoming vaccine clinics 🆕
Following the recent provincial announcement, 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.
Michael Garron Hospital and Toronto East Health Network have been hosting pop-up vaccine clinics in the east end and will continue to do so – check here for an updated list of where you can get vaccinated.
Local Events
Danforth East Community Association Garage Sale
DECA’s annual neighbourhood wide yard sale is back this Saturday, June 11! Our local retailers will be joining in the fun with a sidewalk sale along Danforth East hosted by the Danforth Mosaic BIA. This year, DECA is also helping the Daily Bread Food Bank collect non-perishable food items during the Yard Sale by placing their bins on volunteer front lawns and at East Lynn Park. Look out for the yellow bins to make a donation! Visit DECA.to/yardsale for more info and to put your sale on the map.
RH McGregor Spring Fair 🆕
Taking place Saturday June 11, from 11am to 3pm, stop by RH McGregor Elementary School (555 Mortimer Ave) for their Spring Fair! Try some delicious food, check out the local vendors and spend your afternoon winning big at carnival games! For more information on activities, ticket prices and event details, click here.
Beaches Arts & Craft Show 🆕
Signatures Beaches Arts and Crafts Show is a uniquely Canadian handmade outdoor marketplace in the heart of Toronto’s Beach community that features the works of over 150 independent artists, artisans, makers, and designers. Since 1984, the show has been a beloved annual springtime tradition where visitors can meet passionate creatives in person, hear their stories, and feel their works first-hand.
Join us at picturesque Kew Gardens for an unforgettable experience under the sun and shop for handmade that lasts a lifetime. Click here to learn more.
Lovesick
Lovesick is presented in collaboration with Bard in the Park Toronto, and will be performed in Kew Gardens Park June 13 – 19.
For more information to to purchase tickets, click here.
Foundations Music Showcase 🆕
The Toronto Artscape Foundation is pleased to announce Foundations, an evening with Jared Daniel and Zenesoul, a music showcase of two artists from our RBC Launchpad Music Entrepreneurship program happening at 7pm on June 14th at Daniels Spectrum. There will be a cocktail at 7pm followed by the two performances in Ada Slaight Hall.
Find out more about the event and purchase tickets here. Donation receipts will be issued with ticket purchase.
Kew Beaches Lawn Bowling & Croquet Club Open House
Kew Beach Lawn Bowling Club & Croquet is holding an open house on Tuesday June 14th 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Located at the foot of Lee Avenue, right by the lake, the KBLB club is open to new members and has reasonable annual fees that allow everyone to join the sport at the social or competition level that suits them. Equipment is provided so all you need to bring is running shoes!
For more information visit their Facebook Page or email them at [email protected].
Seniors Spring Fling
Leuty Lifeguard Station 100th Anniversary & Lifeguard Reunion 🆕
Join Community Centre 55 and the Toronto Beaches Lion’s Club on Friday, June 24th at 7 P.M. for the Leuty Lifeguard Station 100th Anniversary Beach Party and Lifeguard Reunion!
Earl Beatty Fun Fair 🆕
On Saturday, June 25, 2022, from 10am to 3pm, Earl Beatty will be hosting our annual Fun Fair. This fair is often the school’s largest fundraising and community-building event of the year and was dearly missed throughout the pandemic.
100% of the proceeds from this fundraiser will be given to Earl Beatty Public School to assist with technology, arts and other programs which in turn enhance student well being.
Shepard’s Pie Lunch & Toronto History Presentation
Public Meeting to amend Zoning By-law 🆕
East York Canada Day Festival 🆕
Celebrate Canada Day this year, East York style! The legendary parade departs from Dieppe Park at 10:00am winding its way through the street of East York to Stan Wadlow Park. The parade includes floats, marching bands, antique cars, community groups, entertainers and local businesses. Check out the parade route here!
The parade will finish at Stan Wadlow Park where the festivities will continue with a festival, music and firework display— Rain or shine!
Looking to get involved in this year’s celebration? The Canada Day Parade committee is still looking for people to marshall the parade! If you know anyone who might be interested in being a Canada Day Festival Marshall for the parade, email [email protected] to let them know. Parade Marshall’s will be required to walk with the parade keeping the area safe. Adults preferred. Hours are 9:40am – 11am.
Q107 Canada Day Picnic
Get ready to rock your red and white with us at the Q107 Canada Day Picnic!
On Sunday, July 1st join Q107 live on location all day long for loads of food, fun and good tunes! We’re featuring Q107 Rock & Roll Tributes to Tom Petty, The Tragically Hip, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Eagles and Prince. Then we’ll cap off the night with Toronto’s largest fireworks display from Ashbridges Bay, set to a “live” tribute to KISS!
The party starts at noon on Canada Day, in Woodbine Park near the beaches. Come down and enjoy midway rides, great eats and a great selection of beers in the Mill Street Brewery Beer Garden
Beaches Jazz Festival 🆕
The Annual Beaches Jazz Fest is back! This year will mark the 34th of the festival, which is taking place July 2-24. Learn more about this year’s musical celebration here.
Community Programs
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!
My Smart Commute Campaign 🆕
Smart Commute Toronto is sharing curated tips and tricks on how to have a more sustainable, economical, and safer commute to and from your workplace or school. Toronto residents can sign up to a series of weekly newsletters based on their interested mode: cycling, walking, public transit, carpooling, driving less, or working from home/ remote work. Click here to learn about how you can get involved!
Residents will also get a chance to win gift cards, if they fill out a survey after reading the weekly newsletters. Sign up for the weekly newsletters here.
Hijabs and Helmets
Hijabs and Helmets is back with a series of exciting workshops. Hijabs and Helmets program provides an inclusive and supportive community for women’s and girls wearing hijab and their allies and creates a comfortable and accommodating space for them to learn and engage in recreational bike rides, grow their cycling skills, and explore the city.
Hijabs and Helmets is offering exclusives Learn-to-Ride Workshop on June 2nd & 9th from 5 pm- 7 pm. Meeting at Access Point on Danforth (3079 Danforth Avenue).
Access Alliance will provide equipment, snacks and tokens to the participants. Riders of all skills are welcome.
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!
Free Traditional Cooking Skills Session
Kimbourne United Church will be hosting free, virtual and in-person traditional cooking skills workshops every 3rd Thursday of the month. All skill-levels and ages are welcome! Click here to learn more about the workshops and register.
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.
Neighbourhood News
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!
Affordable Housing Access & Social Housing Survey
The City of Toronto’s Housing Secretariat is conducting engagement aroundaffordable housing access & prioritizationandsocial housing prioritization. This survey will be used to help the City understand where there are gaps in our housing access and priorities, so we can make improvements. Results will also inform a staff report to Council on an allocation methodology for affordable housing units and a review of the priority groups for social housing.
The City wants to hear from stakeholders, including rent-geared-to-income housing (RGI) and affordable housing applicants or random draw participants themselves, non-profit housing providers, community organizations, the development industry, sector groups, subject matter experts and the general public.
Click here to complete the survey. Survey closes June 17.
East York Farmer’s Market is open!
Open every Tuesday from 8am – 2pm at the East York Community 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!
Bee a good neighbour
Want to BEE a good neighbour? Learn about the do’s and don’ts for your lawn and how to grow pollinator-friendly gardens! Avoid prohibited plants that can pose a threat to human health or natural areas and cut grass regularly. Delight neighbours with your garden but don’t block sidewalks or driver and pedestrian views. Learn more at toronto.ca/GrassAndGardens.
Dogs in the City
Toronto is a city of dog lovers, but it is important to remember that not everyone feels the same way about dogs. Here are few ways to keep the peace and share our spaces safely:
- Keep your dog under control and on a leash unless in designated dogs off-leash areas. Off-leash dogs can commit dangerous acts, which can lead to written warnings or dangerous dog orders.
- Pick up after your dog and dispose of waste properly. The City has Green Bins for organic waste in all dogs off-leash areas in parks and has recently expanded the pilot to add dog waste compartments to street litter bins.
- Respect our natural habitats and wildlife. Stay on trails and make sure your dogs don’t trample plants or chase wildlife.
- Purchase a pet license for your dog. If they get lost, a pet licence will get them home faster. When you purchase a pet licence, you can also receive exclusive offers and discounts through the BluePaw rewards program.
More tips for being a good dog owner: toronto.ca/DogsInTheCity.
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.
Vendor applications for the 2022 market season are open! To learn more about the market and submit a vendor application, 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
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 Silverbirch Ave and Willow Ave to the west.
Williamson Ravine Upgrades
Urban Forestry is proposing to plant native trees and shrubs this fall in Williamson Ravine. These plantings are intended to increase the urban tree canopy, improve biodiversity, restore the native plant community, and to prevent soil erosion, following invasive vegetation management. This work is being done as part of the City’s Ravine Strategy.
Small Business Feature 🏄
Get active on the water this year with Kayaking, Paddle Boarding & more! 🆕
Looking for a way to get moving and enjoy our beautiful waterfront this summer? Stop by one of the three City-licensed facilities located in our ward.
- WSUP Toronto: Paddle Board lessons, rentals and classes.
- Toronto Beach Kayak: Kayak lessons & rentals.
- iPaddle Adventures: Paddle Board & Kayak rentals.
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.
For real-time updates on the local issues that matter to you most, please follow any of my social media accounts!
About Brad Bradford - - -
