Greenspaces in the News | April 12, 2013

Tribute to Jenna K. Morrison, a memorial Reflexology Footpath in Dufferin Grove Park.
Hit by a truck almost two years ago while riding her bike to pick up her son from kindergarden, Jenna Morrison's memory is to be shared with this Toronto community soon. Fundraisng for the project is underway, supported by Toronto Parks and Trees.
https://torontoparksandtrees.org/jenna-k.-morrison-memorial

Debate surrounding the Island Airport is back on the table and proposals to extend runways to jets has many residents wary about the noise, effects on recreation space, and other concerns.

Former mayor David Miller spoke on the issue on CBC Metro Morning yesterday, expressing that the expansion would result in a loss in that space for culture, recreation and enjoyment of the waterfront .

I'm torn on this issue. On one hand, these concerns make sense to me...and the same time, I've taken porter flights and it is very convenient. I'll be reading more on this - what's your opinion?

Photo Credit: The Torontoist, click photo for link.
http://www.thestar.com/business/2013/04/11/porter_airlines_plans_to_fly_bombardier_jet_out_of_toronto_island_airport.html

True Davidson Park

 

True Davidson Park (The park beside S. Walter Stewart Library)

Claiming identity in boroughs of the past. Ah, summer. This photo from last year makes me long for warm weather. Today, we are not really in spring, not truly - there are forcasted ice pellets! Come on.

 

 

 

The greenspace surrounding S.Walter Stewart Library is a perhaps little shabby, but it features some sculpture and does its job of complementing the library. The story of the library itself is pretty interesting. Established in 1960 as East York’s main branch, its 2008 renovation turned it into the I loved snagging a spot in the library by the big windows featured in the rotunda design, and watching high school students having their lunch out there.

 

I only wish this had been my crowd – voracious manga-readers, creators of fantasy of worlds and anthropomorphic creature characters, members of the library Youth Advisory Committee. Unfortunately, I’m only appreciating this world now, but these smart girls knowing where its at – the park outside SWS Library.

SWS Library has a good section on East York History, and it is fitting that the small parkette hugging the curves is named for Jane Gertrude (True) Davidson, first mayor of East York.

 

True – what a great name.

True Davidson became to the mayor of the Borough of East York when it was formed from the merged Leaside and East York. She was an opponent of amalgation into Toronto, but a proponent of community developed through relationships, not only through programs and plans.

Apparently, my street is the border line establishing neighbourhoods – the north side of Milverton is East York and the South side Toronto. Really, these neighbourhood boundaries are a bit liquidy, and probably their best use is to give us residents a sense of belonging. But why not? In a city as large and sprawling to Toronto, claiming identity in our ‘hoods gives us a chance to  have a little small town feel too.

Waterloo Park Wanderings

Yes. I realize my last post gave the impression that I would be visiting some Hamilton parks. I have done that a little, took a few pictures...it will come.

But I'm in Waterloo today! Over my time in university, I've come to love KW a lot. As a student, I know it can be easy to stick around campus rather than explore the surrounding areas, but I think it's so important to venture out and really be present in the city and the community. I can't say I've done that as much as I'd like to, but there's still next year when I move back.

One of my favourite greenspaces in Waterloo is Waterloo Park. You know its true because I "like" it on Facebook. Be a man - make it Facebook Official.

Some of my stories....

Biking through Waterloo Park at night, singing loudly to keep the rapists at bay

Wonders of Winter light festival. 
It is so enchanting to walk home through the park late at night and look at the light displays. They have a variety of cartoon characters...Sponge Bob Squarepants, Spiderman...animals. Perhaps a little hokey, maybe not as heart-welling as the Lunar New Year light festival that I've been to in Toronto's Ontario Place. But I love it!  It has charm and the HOPE of the HOLIDAYS. You just look at them and imagine you can hear jingle bells and perhaps catch an almost ghostly regal reindeer step out of the trees (I guess then it'd be a caribou since we're in North America)

Photo cred: http://waterlooinsider.wordpress.com/ ...what a great blog. I have to make a point of visiting some of these  places. 

Lydia was kind enough to hang out with me this morning. (Actually she was kind of obligated - she was my Secret Servant and didn't do anything for me before I left. It's great to have a friend who owes you hang out time! haha.) We went to the newly re-opened Mel's Diner, ordered some toast, eggs, bacon, home fries, pancakes and waffles oh yes, and went to the park! A perfect Secret Santa date.

It was so bright and sunny today. We had to close our eyes - feel the warmth on our lids instead. Spring is truly coming.