For my thesis project, I am doing a lot of reading about environmental justice. Interesting stuff! I feel as though this is what I've been searching for my whole university career, and I am just coming upon it now at the end. It's all about what I'm interested in: the environment, but not just the environment. How culture, people, and justice fit into all of it!
Monday, December 9, 2013
We sell these in the ES Coffeeshop!
Night/Shift: (Inner)national Parks of Kitchener
Night/Shift was a great event. As one of my co-explorers through downtown Kitchener said that night, it was like Nuit Blanche in Toronto except smaller, warmer, friendlier and sans large numbers of annoying drunk and high people. (His sentiments, not necessarily mine! I've only been the Nuit Blanche once. I thought people were nice)
Mostly I liked the chance to walk around downtown Kitchener with friends, while learning about (one side) the city's arts & culture in a way that can only be done this way. Reading about it, hearing a lecture about it, etc. is not the same kind of learning.
Favourite exhibits?
Hands down favourite thing was the (Inner)national Parks of Kitchener installation. I thought it was hilarious and clever. I'd love to see something like this be installed during the day to get more people seeing it.
http://megharder.carbonmade.com/
A big moment for me was feeling part of city, rather than a student. I have lived in this region coming onto 4 and a half years. Despite that the fact that I've tried settle down outside the student bubble, my life and activities still revolve heavily around the University. I'm excited to become a real person when I graduate. (an unemployed person? Perhaps.)
It was cool to recognize people from my Faculty, from different events, and from just walking around the street. I understand that this is sort of a select group of people who come out to all these events....so it's not that surprising that I should recognize them. But the fact that this is beginning to happen indicates to me that there is a bit of a community here. It may be a select group out of the general population, but perhaps that's what a community is? I'm not sure. That's a question for us to ponder forever (Or perhaps for my undergrad thesis. One or the other)
Mostly I liked the chance to walk around downtown Kitchener with friends, while learning about (one side) the city's arts & culture in a way that can only be done this way. Reading about it, hearing a lecture about it, etc. is not the same kind of learning.
Favourite exhibits?
Hands down favourite thing was the (Inner)national Parks of Kitchener installation. I thought it was hilarious and clever. I'd love to see something like this be installed during the day to get more people seeing it.
http://megharder.carbonmade.com/
A big moment for me was feeling part of city, rather than a student. I have lived in this region coming onto 4 and a half years. Despite that the fact that I've tried settle down outside the student bubble, my life and activities still revolve heavily around the University. I'm excited to become a real person when I graduate. (an unemployed person? Perhaps.)
It was cool to recognize people from my Faculty, from different events, and from just walking around the street. I understand that this is sort of a select group of people who come out to all these events....so it's not that surprising that I should recognize them. But the fact that this is beginning to happen indicates to me that there is a bit of a community here. It may be a select group out of the general population, but perhaps that's what a community is? I'm not sure. That's a question for us to ponder forever (Or perhaps for my undergrad thesis. One or the other)
Friday, April 12, 2013
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
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
Thursday, April 11, 2013
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.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
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)
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.
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.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Grange Park: Let's go!
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| I know it's a little late. Better late than never? |
Stop 1: Grange Park
Some sights and sounds. Aka me being creepy and trying to subtly catch people on video but not having the guts to do it.
OCAD. Kenny said he was part of a zine sale or something in the park? I forget now. :( And I've lost the cute book he gave me to upload onto here. Boo. Well I'm sure OCAD students do lots of cool things in this park. Curriculur, extra-curricular, and...extra-extra curricular I'm sure :)
I like this cursor from Dave Colangelo. gore-REAL-AH. Apparently there are other ones in Trinity Bellwoods. Hopefully when I make it there (in the next 10 years at the rate I'm going) it will still be up.
It's on a horsechesnut! I had always seen these trees around the city, but didn't know what they were. I learned on the job at High Park from the knowledgeable staff at Colborne Lodge. Native to Europe, likely brought over as early street trees...
Hypothesis! We won't see these much outside the downtown as we get to younger parts of the city. I'm excited to find out.
Real knowledge about horsechesnuts from Todd Irvine on Spacing Toronto.
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Yup, I don't think it's a particularly attractive plant, but Google images show its light purple flowers to be pretty. And apparently they are edible!
These people made MARSHMALLOWS from them!
Definitely want to try that one day. However, the Mallows are really good at sucking up nitrates, so that may not be so healthy for you? Are nitrates an issue at Dundas and Spadina? I don't know. Hopefully this isn't a dog/person's pee spot.
Keith Haring?
"Banker, philantropist, patron of the arts" says Wikipedia. He helped to found U of T, the AGO and the ROM. No wonder he's a sir.
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On the day of the AGO's opening a few years ago, my mom and I were just walking by. They were letting people in for free! So we joined the line, which curled into Grange Park here.
Solid play structure. Classic. This is very similar to the one in the kindergarten yard at Willy (my elementary school). This playground is just outside the Alexandra Park Community Centre.
As I was sitting there - people I recognised came out! A grade 3 kid and his mom who came to High Park for a field trip when I was working at the Toronto Urban Studies Centre. We can discovered Plants and Early Settlers in High Park together! From park to park. But I didn't say anything. Maybe I should have. (If you are a Grade 3 teacher, you should do this field trip with TUSC! Fun stuff.)
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