Residents who were unable to attend this information session are still invited to join the Steering Committee that will help determine the final structure of the Upper Danforth Village Residents’ Association.

Please see this presentation for more information on community associations.

The following parks have been selected by the program: Clairlea Park, Corvette Park, Don Montgomery Community Recreation Centre, Dunlop Parkette, Byng Park, and Edge Park. The plantings will expand the urban forest canopy, improve animal habitats, increase biodiversity, and ameliorate the quality of life of local residents. 

Continue reading below to review the site-specific proposals including numbers, species, and planting plans.

Clairlea Park

Corvette Park

 Don Montgomery Community Recreation Centre

 Dunlop Parkette

Edge Park

 Byng Park

The City of Toronto has released the 12th edition of its online newsletter City Update.

This edition provides readers with the latest news about City services, innovations and initiatives and can be viewed at http://www.toronto.ca/city-update. Subscriptions are welcome online at http://www.toronto.ca/e-updates.

The following stories are included in this edition:

• Toronto powering the economy
  Conference Board of Canada projects growing economy
  Canada, Ontario and Toronto launch revitalization of Union Station
  Toronto financial services a powerhouse
  City’s debt rating reflects stability
  City’s budget protects residents and services
  City of Toronto begins to revitalize Nathan Phillips Square
  St. Lawrence Market North Building Design Competition
  Flashpoint and Toronto
• Big city, big conferences
  G20 Summit
  Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Annual Conference
  Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators’ Annual Conference
• Tributes for outstanding services and programs
  City Manager’s Award recognizes outstanding contributions of civic employees
  In the spirit of diversity
  Fire Services – saving lives and winning awards
  Doors Open Toronto – showcasing architectural excellence
• A city that cares
  Toronto’s outdoor homeless population drops by half
  Affordable Housing forum generates new ideas
  Toronto Regional Champion Campaign
  New library website a wealth of online resources
  Toronto Challenge celebrates 19th year
• We mean it when we say green it
  World-class beaches in our own backyard
  Toronto City Hall’s Podium Green Roof is now officially open
  Toronto gets clean and green through 20-Minute Makeover
  Smart Commute
  Plug into electronics collection for recycling
  2010 Green Toronto Awards
  Green Innovation Awards: Toronto’s own Dragon’s Den
  Student videos inspire a greener Toronto
  Videos the latest addition to Live Green toolkit for residents
  Online Waste Wizard has the answers
  A new twist on a collection truck
• Out and about
  Transformation of Queen’s Quay moving ahead
  Fresh Wednesdays and Tasty Thursdays this summer
  Live Green Toronto Festival
  Caribana Hot Hot Hot
• Feature story: Trillium celebrates its 100th anniversary
  In 2010, one of Toronto’s unique vessels, the Trillium, has a watershed 100th anniversary. Named after Ontario’s official flower, this ferry boat is the last side-wheeler steamer still operating in North America.

Lawrence Heights revitalization
Council approved proceeding with the revitalization of the Lawrence Heights housing complex. Created in 1957, the neighbourhood currently houses about 3,700 tenants in 1,208 units. The Toronto Community Housing Corporation will replace all 1,208 present-day rent-geared-to-income units, and 4,792 market units will be added to the 60.5-hectare property, for a total of 6,000 housing units. Revitalizing Lawrence Heights as outlined in the broad Lawrence Allen Revitalization Plan that Council endorsed will help bring positive social and economic changes to that area of the city. Council adopted many directives to City divisions and agencies concerning this major initiative.

Tower renewal across the city
Council endorsed a plan for implementing the Tower Renewal Program city-wide (as presented in the City’s “Tower Renewal Implementation Book”) and approved steps to establish a Tower Renewal Corporation. The corporation will administer financing and co-ordinate incentive programs for highrise apartment building renewal in Toronto. The City will encourage the participation of local businesses and manufacturers in supplying products and services for tower renewal projects.

City funding of Pride Toronto
Council directed that any City funding of Pride Toronto be paid after the Pride parade and be conditional upon Pride Toronto requiring that all registered participants comply with the City of Toronto’s anti-discrimination policy. Council asked the City Manager to advise Pride Toronto organizers on whether the participation of the group Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (with the signs and banners the group displays) contravenes the anti-discrimination policy.

Commendations for G20 Summit work
Council adopted a motion commending Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair and the Toronto Police Service and other police/security personnel who participated in June’s G20 Summit in Toronto “on a job well done.” The motion also thanked the police chief for his support of the Toronto Police Services Board’s decision to launch an independent civilian review of the G20 Summit, and acknowledged the Toronto Police Services Board for exercising its oversight role. Council also adopted a motion commending all City staff who helped with the Summit.

Voters list for City election
Council decided to ask the Ontario government to initiate electoral reform to establish a permanent municipal voters list that would be compiled and maintained by an organization such as Elections Ontario. Council also requested the City Clerk to support enfranchisement of tenants in Toronto by arranging for the distribution of the application form (and information) to assist with adding voters’ names to the Voter’s List in advance of this fall’s municipal election. The City Clerk was asked to report back to City Council on problems with the current enumeration system.

Aboriginal communities in Toronto
Council adopted a “Statement of Commitment towards Aboriginal Communities in Toronto” and directed the City Manager to prepare a related action plan. Council also authorized the preparation of guidelines for considering urban Aboriginal issues in all the City’s policy development and service delivery. Council expressed appreciation to Aboriginal Affairs Committee members for their work on the statement of commitment and extended thanks to members of the Aboriginal community for participating in the process of preparing the statement.

Evolution of Lower Don Lands
Council voted to support plans by Waterfront Toronto and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority to revitalize the Lower Don Lands, re-naturalize the lower Don River and flood protect the Port Lands. Council directed that the corridors of the Lower Don River and infrastructure in the Lower Don Lands must be protected from development. In addition, Council approved an affordable housing strategy for the Keating Channel lands.

Management of Casa Loma
Council directed City officials to initiate a dispute resolution process to address concerns about the Kiwanis Club’s management of Casa Loma. If not satisfied with progress on the operational and financial management of the City-owned tourist attraction, the City intends to terminate the management agreement with the Kiwanis Club and find another way of managing Casa Loma. Under the 2008 agreement, the Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma was to implement a “Strategic Vision” for the facility and meet certain obligations, but the organization is behind in meeting expectations.

St. Lawrence Market building design
Council endorsed the selection of a design proposed for a new St. Lawrence Market north building. The winning design was chosen in an international design competition. The design consists of a four-storey building with ground-floor market hall, courtrooms and offices on the second, third and fourth floors, and an underground parking garage.

Next year’s Canadian census
Council supported a motion urging the federal government to reverse its recent decision to scrap the mandatory “long-form” census that for many years has provided detailed information to municipal governments. The federal government intends to use a new, voluntary household survey for the 2011 census. That change is expected to hamper the City of Toronto’s access to the kind of detailed information needed in planning municipal policies and programs – ranging from immigrant settlement support to public transit design.

Toronto bid to host Ontario Summer Games
Council agreed that the City of Toronto will support the Toronto Sports Council’s bid to hold the 2012 Ontario Summer Games in Toronto. If chosen as host, the City of Toronto will make a financial contribution and serve as the financial guarantor of the event.

As part of the ongoing amalgamation process in the City of Toronto, staff are working towards a single harmonized zoning bylaw. Recently, the City has harmonized the requirements for the widths of the driveways and the amount landscaping in the front yards of small residential buildings in the city.

Residents who initiate work on their driveways (expansion/repaving/etc) are affected by these rules. You are encouraged to read this explainer to ensure that you fully understand the bylaws governing your driveway and property.

To achieve this diversion rate, a number of initiatives are being pursued. In addition to improved Blue Bin and Green Bin Recycling and re-use programs, the City will need to build a waste processing facility to divert 75,000 tonnes per year of recyclable and compostable materials from the residential mixed waste stream. The interim name being used for the proposed facility is Green Lane Resources.

To learn more about the City’s efforts, as well as selection criteria and comments from public consultations, please see the full Green Lane Resources Update.

 On an annual basis, PF&R provides the following services to the residents of Toronto:

• Offers approximately 66,885 registered recreation courses;
• Receives over 8.3 million participant visits to registered and drop-in programs;
• Issues over 280,000 permits for use of City parks and recreation facilities, serving more than 20,000 groups and individuals.

For more information on the PF&R division, please visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks/

Sponsorship of Live Green Toronto events
Council authorized staff to negotiate and enter into a sponsorship agreement with Canadian Tire Corporation for the Live Green Toronto initiative in 2010 and 2011. Canadian Tire will provide financial support to events such as the Live Green Toronto Festival. Live Green Toronto is the City’s leading initiative for supporting neighbourhoods, community groups and businesses in taking local action on climate change and other environmental issues.

Guidelines on parking ticket cancellation
Council approved the public release of the City’s guidelines that advise on circumstances when a City of Toronto parking ticket may be cancelled. Reasons for cancellation may include, for example, bylaw exemptions and medical emergencies. Public access to the cancellation guidelines will help streamline the process for disputing parking tickets and may reduce related requests for trials. Guidelines: http://toronto.ca/pay-toronto-tickets/pdf/cancellation_guidelines.pdf

Changes to Toronto’s vehicle idling bylaw
Council agreed to amend the City’s vehicle idling bylaw, reducing the allowed idling time from three minutes to one minute and eliminating the current temperature exemption for hot or cold conditions. The amendment also eliminates an exemption that allowed public transit vehicles to idle at stopovers and layovers.

Diesel or electric trains
Council agreed to express concerns to Metrolinx and the Ontario transportation minister about the planned use of diesel locomotives for the expanded Georgetown South rail corridor. The diesel air pollution will have a negative impact on nearby parks as hubs of community activity. Council also agreed to advocate that the planned air-rail link between Union Station and Pearson Airport be electrified as a demonstration project for regional transit.

Refunds involving personal vehicle tax
Council approved a new refund available for people who, before the licence renewal date, pay the City’s personal vehicle tax (PVT) and move out of Toronto and/or return the licence plates. Council also approved a PVT refund that will apply to City-licenced taxi cabs in certain situations.

Light rail transit in Scarborough
Council approved conversion of the existing 6.5-kilometre Scarborough rapid transit (RT) line that extends from Kennedy Station to McCowan Station, converting it for Light Rail Transit (LRT) vehicles, and approved extending that LRT line 4.9 km from McCowan Road to Malvern Town Centre. The Scarborough LRT line will be mostly at-surface, with some elevated and underground sections. Extending the transit line from Sheppard Avenue to Malvern Town Centre cannot be implemented until funding becomes available.

Land acquisition for waterfront revitalization
Council approved a protocol between the City and Waterfront Toronto for land expropriations when needed to acquire land for waterfront renewal. Waterfront Toronto has identified lands that may be needed for municipal purposes such as roads, transit, parks and municipal facilities. The goal is to acquire any such properties from the owners through negotiation.

Facility to service light rail vehicles
Council approved a plan for the TTC to use a piece of property at the Ashbridges Bay water treatment plant to build a facility for the storage and maintenance of light rail vehicles. Council directed that the design and landscaping must integrate well with the Leslie Street Spit, Martin Goodman Trail and Lake Shore Boulevard at the site near the intersection of Lake Shore Boulevard and Leslie Street.

Buses on Don Valley Parkway
Council directed that the median shoulder of the Don Valley Parkway between Lawrence Avenue East and a point north of York Mills Road, in both directions, be incorporated into the travelled portion of the roadway as traffic lanes and be reserved for the exclusive use by GO Transit vehicles. Those special lanes may also be used by Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) buses as part of an express service route in that area if and when introduced by the TTC.

Earthquake disaster relief in Chile
Council decided to ask the federal government to increase the $2 million it announced for earthquake relief in Chile, by matching private donations made in support of relief efforts. An earthquake and related tsunami in Chile earlier this year resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people and damaged infrastructure. Through a request by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Toronto may enter into a technical partnership to assist the city of Lota, Peru. Like Haiti, Peru is embarking on a long-term recovery process to restore services and re-build damaged infrastructure.

Thanks to the efforts of the current 2010 community gardening team, the new Prairie Drive Park Community Garden is in full bloom and will soon begin producing beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2011 growing season. This opportunity offers residents the chance to meet their neighbours, get some exercise, enjoy gardening with others in your community, and be part of a local “growing” movement.

Interested applicants can contact my office for an application form and additional information.

The City has created a website at http://www.toronto.ca/torontostreets that shows ongoing and emergency road construction, existing travel conditions on City of Toronto roads and special events taking place.

“This is going to be an exciting and busy summer in Toronto, and we want to do everything we can to make getting around the city as effortless as possible,” said Mayor David Miller. “This new website is one of the ways we will keep residents and visitors informed about how best to do that. Make this site one of your favourites and check it before you leave home to help find your best route around the city.”

The mayor remarked that the website is especially timely considering the ambitious road repair work that the city is involved in this year. In 2010, the City will be spending more than $205 million to improve the quality of Toronto’s roads and bridges. That work will include about $45 million for major projects such as the eliminating the Dufferin Jog and another $80 million on other improvements, including road work in conjunction with watermain and sewer replacement and public realm initiatives.

In addition to the road work, it will also be a very busy time for special events taking place here. Toronto is playing host to a number of important events, such as the G20 Summit, the Shriners Convention and the Canadian Open Golf Tournament. As well, regular events such as the Pride Parade, Beaches Jazz Festival, Honda Indy and Caribana Festival will take place this summer, along with smaller festivals, street celebrations, road races and other community events.

“These festivals and events are very important to the city. They are enjoyed each year by local residents and inject hundreds of millions of dollars annually into Toronto’s economy,” said Mayor Miller.

From the new website, residents can also sign up for e-updates to receive the latest information about road closures and traffic disruptions in the city.

Although the website will be as accurate and up-to-date as possible, members of the public are encouraged to contact the City should they become aware of a disruption that is not listed. Unexpected incidents and minor emergency repairs will not be included on this site.