Junction Triangle

Wallace Ave. Bridge: Photo by Vic Gedris, 2010-04-16

They say "a picture is worth a thousand words".

I was walking home from the Dundas West subway station on Friday evening and decided to take this photo from the Dundas St. side of the Wallace Ave. pedestrian bridge. I always enjoy the view from here, especially since it contains two of our neighbourhood's most iconic sights: The bridge itself, and the old G.E. Water Tower near Lansdowne Ave.

When I came home and took a closer look at the photo, it struck me that there are many things going on within the frame of this picture. Little bits of history, neighbourhood icons, and changes that are happening rapidly. Here's what I spotted. Maybe there are some things I missed?

Started in 2007, Jane's Walk is an annual event honouring the late urban thinker, activist, and writer Jane Jacobs. On May 1 and 2 2010, free walking tours will take place in cities all over Canada, the USA, and other countries around the world.

The Clean Train Coalition has organized a walk along the Georgetown rail corridor on Saturday May 1, 2010, at 2:00pm, starting in Sorauren Park and heading north through the Junction Triangle along the West Toronto Railpath. All Jane's Walks are free, and this one does not require registration, but you can sign up for an email reminder on the Jane's Walk website.

Join the Clean Train Coalition, a grassroots group demanding the province "Go Electric!" Walk with us on a tour along part of the corridor, join us in conversation about the proposed walls, the effect of diesel pollution on children’s health, and the impact diesel trains will have on local parks and neighbourhoods near the rail line and to the city as a whole. Hear why electric rail is the right way to go and find out how you can help us to make that solution a reality.

We will start from Sorauren Park, a well-loved neighbourhood recreation area, head west and then north to explore the newly opened section of the West Toronto Railpath.

Started in 2007, Jane's Walk is an annual event honouring the late urban thinker, activist, and writer Jane Jacobs. On May 1 and 2 2010, free walking tours will take place in cities all over Canada, the USA, and other countries around the world.

A local walking tour of the Junction Triangle has been organized to take place on Sunday May 2, 2010, at 11:00am, starting from Wallace Crossing (Wallace Ave. between Campbell and Lansdowne). All Jane's Walks are free, and this one does not require registration, but you can sign up for an email reminder on the Jane's Walk website.

This walk is intended to familiarize the urban footSoldier with the newly/old named ‘Junction Triangle’ area of the City’s West end.

Contained by the railway heritage of being a former industrial hub of City ‘production’; three sides (hence ‘Triangle’) are bound by tracks isolating this closely knit working class mix of residential and post industrial TO.

Come walk the brilliant new ‘railPath Park’ and experience the semiBohemian City culture that occurs where old industrial meets newUrban.

Beverley Coburn, a personal trainer who runs Active Age Fitness, has been leading "Monday Night Runs" (and walks) in our area. Every week, these runs always lead to new places within a few kilometres of the Dupont and Lansdowne starting point.

These free events are a great way to get some exercise, explore our local neighbourhoods, and meet new people. Give it a try sometime.

The upcoming run will actually focus on our neighbourhood. Here's is the announcement email sent by Beverley:

Hello Runners and Walkers,

Beverley Coburn, a personal trainer who runs Active Age Fitness, has been leading "Monday Night Runs" (and walks) in our area. Every week, these runs always lead to new places within a few kilometres of the Dupont and Lansdowne starting point.

These free events are a great way to get some exercise, explore our local neighbourhoods, and meet new people. Give it a try sometime.

The upcoming run will actually focus on our neighbourhood. Here's is the announcement email sent by Beverley:

Hello Runners and Walkers,

King Liberty Pedestrian/Cyclist Link
Municipal Class Environmental Assessment
Notice of Public Open House

Public Consultation:
We invite you to attend our first Public Open House to learn more about the project, the potential locations for a pedestrian/cyclist link, and the next steps for this study. Drop by anytime to view information displays, provide your comments and speak one on one with project staff.

Details are as follows:
Date: Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Liberty Market Building

New Railpath Maps: Cariboo Ave. Entrance

Note: This item was also posted on I Bike T.O.

Out for a walk a few nights ago, we noticed that new maps have been installed at each end of the West Toronto Railpath. Now we know what those metal frames were for.

The maps are a nice addition to the path. They include various bits of useful information:

• A complete map of the entire path and immediate surrounding area
• All cross-streets are labeled, and a note whether there is an access point or not
• Cumulative distance markers, starting from Cariboo Ave.
• Estimated travel times for walking and cycling
• A few major landmarks and other features

It's great to see the path/park continue to evolve and improve. It has been very well-used, even over the winter, so I hope the expansion plans come to fruition soon!

Ernest Ave. sidewalk construction: Looking west from Perth Ave.

The Paton Rd. closing / Erwin Krickhahn Park expansion is not the only construction happening in our neighbourhood this week. Over the last couple of days, city contractors have been busy installing a new widened sidewalk and boulevard strip on the south side of Ernest Ave., connecting Perth Ave. to the West Toronto Railpath.

Although this may seem like a minor project, it has some serious benefits to our community:

• There will finally be a continuous sidewalk along Ernest Ave.
• Walking to the West Toronto Railpath will now be safer, as pedestrians will no longer have to mix it up with the trucks heading in and out of Solways Metals.
• The sidewalk will connect directly to the new location for the Boys and Girls Club, making it much safer for the kids.
• There will be a boulevard strip separating the sidewalk from the road, allowing for a tiny bit of much-needed greenspace here.

I look forward to seeing this completed!

Railpath: Photo from the "unofficial" opening parade in June 2009.
Not that this is really "news" to anyone in our neighbourhood, but as of October 30 2009, the West Toronto Railpath is now "officially" open.

I wasn't there to attend the official opening ceremony, but I heard it was well attended by the media, local residents, Friends of the West Toronto Railpath, as well as Councillor Adam Giambrone and various members of the City's staff who were involved in the project.

Here are some links to media coverage from the event:

• Hume: Trail breathes life into 'dead zone', Toronto Star, October 30 2009.
• Old rail corridor opens to new recreational use, The Villager / Inside Toronto, November 2 2009.
• Toronto railpath park, NOW Magazine, November 5 2009.
• Well worth the wait for Railpath, Metro, November 6 2009.
• Full steam ahead for Railpath, Town Crier, November 23 2009.

There's also a video of the opening ceremony posted on Facebook, but unfortunately you need a Facebook account to be able to watch it.

I have been enjoying this new path all year long, and on average I'm on it at least once a day. So exciting to see it open and getting all the recognition it deserves. It's truly one of our neighbourhood's best features now.