Today's newsletter from Adam Giambrone's office includes several items that are of direct interest to people in our neighbourhood:

New Irrigation System Installed at Campbell Park

Installation of a new irrigation system for the soccer field at Campbell Park was completed on October 31st, 2008. This new system was a joint project of the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division and the Toronto Eagles Soccer Club. For years, Campbell Park has seen its field heavily used by young soccer enthusiasts and because of the lack of irrigation the quality of the turf had severely declined. This problem became particularly bad during the severe drought in 2007. With the new irrigation system now in place, maintenance of the soccer field will be greatly improved. Parks staff also aerated, seeded and top dressed the field this fall to ensure that it will be in great shape for the beginning of next years soccer season. I hope that soccer fans of all ages will enjoy the improved quality of the Campbell Park field for years to come.

Wallace Ave. Brownfields: Looking north-east from the Wallace Ave. pedestrian bridge over the former Glidden Paint factory industrial lands. They are currently being cleaned up of industrial contaminants.

Today's edition of NOW magazine has a story about the Glidden Paint Factory cleanup on Wallace Ave next to the pedestrian bridge.

"For nine decades beginning in 1911, Glidden operated here, spilling untold amounts of solvents, chemicals with names too long to pronounce, with long-term health effects from exposure too scary to contemplate. The area, which forms part of the Junction Triangle, contains some of the most contaminated former industrial lands in the entire country."

You can read the entire article online at NOW Magazine's website.

If you would like more information about the cleanup efforts or to get involved with the Residents Association's Environment Committee, please contact us.

The following notice was sent from the City of Toronto's Planning Department, regarding the Bloor Dundas Avenue Study. You can view the original PDF version of this announcement here.

Bloor Dundas Avenue Study

Community Meeting
Bloor Dundas ‘Avenue’ Study

Tuesday, November 18, 2008
7:00 p.m.
Saint Joan of Arc - Gymnasium
1701 Bloor Street West

City staff and the City’s consultants have been working with the community to create a framework for new development and to identify needed service, transportation and streetscape improvements for the Bloor Dundas ‘Avenue’ Study area (see map).

The consultants have prepared a draft framework for the Bloor Dundas ‘Avenue’ Study, which builds on the Bloor Street Visioning Initiative and incorporates what we have heard to date from the community in terms of land use, building form, bicycle lanes, streetscape etc. This draft framework is the beginning of what will conclude with a final study report, and subsequent new urban design and zoning by-law provisions for this area.

To improve and refine the draft framework, your input is needed. Please join us on Tuesday, November 18.

If you cannot attend the meeting, you can still make your views known by emailing ccambra@toronto.ca or by sending a fax to 416-397-4080 or by writing Corwin Cambray, Senior Planner, Policy and Research, 55 John Street, 23rd Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3C6.

You may also contact Councillor Gord Perks, Ward 14, Parkdale-High Park, at 416-392-7919 or email at councillor_perks@toronto.ca

Looking for more information? Please call Corwin Cambray at 416-397-0244 or visit www.toronto.ca/planning/bloordundas.htm to learn more about the Bloor Dundas ‘Avenue’ Study.

The TTC is reporting that on November 23 2008 the following service changes will take place on the bus routes that service our neighbourhood:

168 Symington

New service will be operated north of St Clair Avenue during the late evening, every day, and in the early mornings on Sundays and holidays on the 168 Symington (Dundas West Stn–Rogers Rd & Weston Rd) branch. The new service will operate every 12 minutes in the late evenings and every 20 minutes in the early morning on Sundays and holidays. The new service will replace the 168A Symington (Dundas West Stn–St Clair) branch. With this change, service will now operate until approximately 1:00 a.m., every day, between Dundas West Station and Rogers Road & Weston Road.

Service will be increased in the morning peak period, from Monday to Friday. The service will be improved from every 5 minutes 30 seconds to every 5 minutes. Service will be increased in the early evening on Sundays and holidays. Service will be improved from every 20 minutes to every 12 minutes.

26 Dupont

New late evening service will be operated on Sundays and holidays. Service will operate every 30 minutes. With this change, service will now operate until approximately 1:00 a.m., every day.

Service will be increased during the late evening from Monday to Saturday, and during the early evening on Sundays and holidays. Service will be improved from every 60 minutes to every 30 minutes.

New bike rack service will be provided on this route.

The following email came from Councillor Gord Perks. If you wish to have any comments passed on via our residents association, please contact us.

Please be advised that the next meeting for the Bloor/Dundas Avenue Study is a Local Advisory Committee meeting, held on:

Wednesday, November 5
6:30 p.m.
Loyola Arrupe - Main Floor Dining Area
1709 Bloor Street West (map)

Signs will be posted directing folks to the meeting area.

Note: The public are welcomed to attend the LAC meetings and observe the LAC discussions. To ensure a focused discussion that will provide an opportunity to review the materials to date and provide opportunities for feedback as we move forward (see page 6 of the Avenue Study terms of reference), we ask that members not appointed to the Local Advisory Committee reserve their comments for the Bloor Dundas 'Avenue' Study public meetings.

We encourage all residents, business owners and stakeholders to participate fully in the larger community meetings for the Bloor Dundas 'Avenue' study, because your comments, questions and concerns spark further discussion at the LAC meetings and assist with the study's progress. You may also want to connect with your area Resident's Association, Business Improvement Area or community agency (see list of LAC members below) to ask that your comments be included in the LAC discussions.

LAC membership includes representation from:

The South Perth Ave. and Sterling Rd. Residents Association organized a Fall Cleanup on October 4th, 2008. Approximately 10 people helped to pick up litter and other trash, and clear overgrown weeds from the neighbourhood.

Community Food Drive, October 4 2008: Food drive for The STOP at Campbell Park, October 4 2008.

The South Perth Ave. a& Sterling Rd. Residents Association has organized a Fall Cleanup for this coming Saturday. Details are below, and in the attached flyer.

South Perth Ave & Sterling Rd Residents Association
SP&S Residents Association

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
T 416 706-2469
E flpshr@gmail.com

Fall Cleanup day
Saturday, October 4, 2008 - 9:00 am
 
REMINDER

Some local residents have organized an all-candidates debate for the upcoming federal election, Here are the details (in English and Portuguese):

PLEASE JOIN US FOR AN ALL CANDIDATES DEBATE

On Saturday September 20th, there will be another consultation seeking public input into the future of the Dundas St. W. and Bloor St. W. area. Details about the meeting are below, and in the attached flyer. Please note that you are expected to register before September 15th if you wish to attend.

Design Workshop for the Bloor Dundas ‘Avenue’ Study
Saturday, September 20, 2008
1:00 p.m.
High Park Baptist Church – Lower Auditorium
9 Hewitt Avenue (at Roncesvalles Avenue) (Map)

The City of Toronto, City Planning Division and the consulting firm of Brook Mcllroy Planning & Urban Design/Pace Architects invite you to participate in a Design Workshop from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, as part of the Bloor Dundas ‘Avenue’ Study.