High Park Movement Strategy Update + Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Tomorrow

 

Friends,

The cherry blossom (Sakura) trees in High Park are set to reach peak bloom this week. Tens of thousands of people regularly take part in the viewing of blossoming Sakura in High Park. The blossoms typically last four to 10 days, depending on weather conditions.

Vehicle access and parking in High Park will be restricted starting Thursday, April 20 for the duration of peak bloom, with the exception of TTC Wheel-Trans vehicles. We encourage you to take public transit, cycle or walk to the park to enjoy the cherry blossoms.

City parks contain ecologically sensitive areas. Visitors are asked to stay on paved trails, avoid climbing the cherry trees or removing blossoms or branches, and use designated bins for litter and recycling.

More information, including a map of locations and accessibility information is available at: www.toronto.ca/cherryblossoms

Update on the High Park Movement Strategy

The High Park Movement Strategy (HPMS) has been in development for over a year and half and is finally set to come to Infrastructure and Environment Committee on April 26th, followed by City Council on May 10th

Thanks to the great work of City staff and the participation of thousands of residents and community groups, we are now closer to approving a final plan.  You can read the staff report here: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.IE3.7

Having reviewed the full report, I see the opportunity to build on the proposed strategy. I will be working with members of Council and City staff to look at what steps we need to take to get to a car-free High Park. There are two specific areas of the strategy that I would like to see improved:

First, I believe we can move forward on this strategy without losing the achievements we have already made. This means keeping the vehicle restrictions on Saturday, Sunday and holiday weekdays. Weekend vehicles restrictions have already been in place for the last two years and have been well received by visitors to the park.

Secondly, the majority of residents who engaged in the HPMS process shared their vision for a car-free park. While we cannot immediately achieve that, I believe that the City must set a goal of achieving a car free park and initiate the work for implementation. Some examples of steps the City will need to take include expanding the TTC bus route that serves the park and introducing a year-round accessible shuttle service within the park.

Interested individuals have a final opportunity to share their thoughts on the Report and recommendations at the April 26th Infrastructure and Environment Committee meeting. You can request to speak at the Committee or submitting your written comments by email  to [email protected] or by calling 416-396-7287. Please make sure to reference that your comments are about IE3.7 - High Park Movement Strategy - Final Report.

The report proposes a mix of area-based and time-based road closures including permanently closing West Road and portions of Colborne Lodge Drive to vehicles at all times.

Staff have also proposed vehicles restrictions continue within the park on Sundays only. Road closures would be supported by traffic calming measures and improvements to pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, transit and shuttle service, changes to parking, public realm and renaturalization opportunities and a recreational cycling pilot.

You can see my earlier statement on the HPMS strategy here.

Thank you again for all of your feedback and support on this work. Let's work together to make the park safe, accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Feel free to contact my office by email at [email protected] or by phone at 416-392-7919 if you have any questions or comments that you would like to share.

Sincerely,

Gord


In this week's newsletter:

  • Reminder: Town Hall on Community Safety and Well-being tomorrow
  • Virtual Community Meeting for 1660 Bloor St West 
  • Community Compost Days are just around the corner
  • Opening of seasonal park washrooms and fountains
  • Consultation on Zoning Regulations for Outdoor Patios on Private Property

Town Hall on Community Safety and Well-being happening tomorrow!

Parkdale-High Park's Member of Parliament Arif Virani, Member of Provincial Parliament Bhutila Karpoche and I will be hosting a town hall from 6:30-8:30pm on Thursday, April 20 at Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton Secondary school (1515 Bloor St W). Join us to discuss how we can improve community safety and well-being.


Virtual Community Meeting to review Site Plan and Construction Management Plan for 1660 Bloor St West (N/W corner of Bloor and Indian Road)

A Virtual Community Meeting to review the Site and Construction Management Plan of 1660 Bloor St West (N/W corner of Bloor and Indian Road) is scheduled for May 2nd.

A 13-storey mixed-use building with 171 units, and retail space fronting onto Bloor St was approved by the Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB), decision dated October 4, 2022.  The application was originally denied by the Committee of Adjustment in March, 2022and appealed to TLAB.

The Site Plan and Construction Management Plan are near completion.

Councillor Perks is hosting a Virtual Community Meeting to review the Site Plan and Construction Management Plan. It will be an opportunity to review the Site Plan and Construction Management Plan, ask questions and share comments and concerns.

Virtual Community Meeting

Tuesday, May 2nd, 6-7:30PM

Link to register for Virtual Meeting is available here.

City Planning staff and the applicant will be in attendance.

More information on the 1660 Bloor St Development is available at: http://app.toronto.ca/AIC/index.do?folderRsn=3xoTFemCimfZjdyPZpkWqA%3D%3D

Search 1660 Bloor St W 1 of 1, 2 of 2 and 3 of 3.


First Community Compost Day on April 29

Come by and pick up free leaf compost at one of our Community Compost Days:

Saturday, April 29th at 10:00am (while supplies last) at the corner of Doran Ave. and Althea Rd.

Thursday, May 4th at 2:00pm (while supplies last) at Masaryk Cowan Community Centre, 220 Cowan Ave.

Saturday, May 6th at 10:00am (while supplies last) at the corner of Wabash Ave. and Macdonell Ave.

Please bring your own shovels and containers


Opening of seasonal park washrooms and fountains

The City is accelerating this spring’s opening of seasonal park washrooms and has already completed the first early openings.

As of this Monday, 32 of 128 seasonal washrooms buildings have been activated and are fully open to the public.

Seasonal park washrooms and the drinking water fountains, and bottle filling stations connected to them should be ready and open to the public by May 5. The remaining standalone water fountains in parks will be open by late May.

New online map to make it easier for residents and visitors to find public washrooms and track the open/closed status of washrooms, drinking fountains, bottle fillers and dog fountains: www.toronto.ca/ParkWashrooms.

A backgrounder is available here


Review of Zoning Regulations for Outdoor Patios on Private Property

Staff in City Planning are gathering public input about potential changes to zoning regulations for outdoor patios on private property (these do not include CaféTO patios located on public property) and are encouraging residents to take part in the feedback survey by Friday, May 5.

Two virtual public consultation sessions have also been scheduled for residents and businesses to learn more about the potential changes and to share their feedback:

More information about this review is available at Toronto.ca/PatioZoning. For questions, please reach out to Jamie Atkinson, Planner, City Planning, 416-392-0449, [email protected].

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