Community Newsletter: June 23, 2023

June 23rd, 2023 edition of Councillor Alejandra Bravo's Community Newsletter

Neighbour --

Happy Pride! This week marks the culmination of Pride Month, where we celebrate the beautiful diversity in our community and our city. Earlier this month I was honoured to attend the raising of the Progress Pride Flag at City Hall, and I’m looking forward to marching in the Pride Parade this weekend. I also want to acknowledge that Pride is a protest, and I remain committed to working hand-in-hand with 2SLGBTQIA+ friends, family, and community members to continue to fight for a freer future for all.

With Council having met last week, here are a few updates on key items:

Securing more land for parks: I’m pleased to share that Council approved my motion to earmark funds from a surplus land sale towards parkland acquisition within Davenport. Expanding our parks and green spaces is one of my top priorities, and this effort is a small but significant contribution to that goal.

The Antler-Lappin connection: I’m delighted that my motion to endorse a pedestrian and cycling connection between Antler and Lappin was supported by Council. Although it remains disappointing that Metrolinx did not create the connection through their Davenport Diamond work, this is an important milestone which directs City staff to begin exploratory work on ways to realize a path here.

Improving CaféTO: This year’s flawed rollout has resulted in a number of challenges for local businesses. I worked with Councillor Paula Fletcher on a motion calling for a review of the program, and measures to ensure that permits are expedited, fees are re-examined, and financial assistance options are explored. My team has also been working directly with business owners to address barriers and help them get their patios up and running for this season.

And Monday, June 26, is the big day: your chance to choose the new Mayor of Toronto. This is an opportunity to directly shape the future of our city. The polls are open from 10 am to 8 pm, and to find your voting location, click here. If you have any questions about voting, you can contact Toronto Elections by calling 416-338-1111 or by emailing [email protected]

Sincerely,

Alejandra Bravo
City Councillor, Ward 9
Davenport

In this edition

Saturday June 24: 1-Day Closure of Holmesdale Road at Ennerdale
Temporary Barriers Installed at Bloor St from Railpath Bridge to Sterling Road
June 27 & 28: 2-Day Track Repair Work at Ossington & Dundas
Join the Young Ravine Leaders - Applications and Info Session
Day Avenue 13th Annual Street Party
Kick-off to Summer at MacGregor Playground
All outdoor pools opening tomorrow
Junction Triangle Craft Show
Fairbank Summerfest
Concerts on Connolly
In the community
Other updates

Saturday June 24: 1-Day Closure of Holmesdale Road at Ennerdale

This Saturday, the intersection of Holmesdale and Ennerdale will be closed as part of construction required for the Fairbank-Silverthorn Basement Flooding Protection Program. The closure is required in order to safely retrieve a microtunneling machine and will mark the completion of tunneling at this location.

Temporary Barriers Installed at Bloor St from Railpath Bridge to Sterling Road

In response to concerns about pedestrian safety while the Railpath bridge across Bloor was closed, my office requested the installation of a temporary pedestrian crossing and have been working to expedite a planned traffic light at Perth and Bloor. However, next week, Metrolinx will be installing a concrete barrier along Bloor to address “jaywalking” concerns. While we are very disappointed this was the solution, we have been advised that a temporary crossing cannot be installed and this is the safest option.

June 27 & 28: 2-Day Track Repair Work at Ossington and Dundas

Starting on June 27, the TTC will be conducting rail and concrete repairs at the intersection of Dundas Street West and Ossington Avenue. Traffic on Dundas Street West will be reduced to one lane in each direction. At the intersection, there will be no left turns at Dundas, east and west bound lanes onto Ossington, and no through traffic permitted at the intersection along Ossington. Pedestrians will still be able to cross through the intersection.

Join the Young Ravine Leaders - Applications and Info Session

The Young Ravine Leaders (YRL) Program is a free, four-part educational and training program

designed to provide an in-depth overview of Toronto’s ravines, community stewardship and

career development. Gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Toronto’s ravine network while learning from and connecting with industry professionals.

Toronto youth (18 – 29 years old) interested in ravine ecology, urban forestry and environmental stewardship are invited to apply to this free, online program. This program is open to all youth, but seeks to support those from Neighbourhood Improvement Areas and/or underrepresented groups within arboriculture and urban forestry. YRL is organized by LEAF and funded by the City of Toronto.

Application Deadline: July 30, 2023. Learn more and apply by visiting: www.yourleaf.org/young-ravine-leaders, or call: 416-413-9244

Day Avenue 13th Annual Street Party

Kick-off to Summer at MacGregor Playground

All outdoor pools opening tomorrow

10 outdoor pools opened on a partial schedule (Monday to Friday, 4 to 8pm and weekends, noon to 8pm) on June 17.

The remaining outdoor City pools will open tomorrow, Saturday, June 24, also on a partial schedule.

Full schedules will begin at all locations on Friday, June 30. The City’s 90 supervised wading pools will also open on June 30.

Residents can check each location for hours of operation on the City’s Swim & Water Play webpage.

Junction Triangle Craft Show

Fairbank Summerfest

Concerts on Connolly

In the community

I had a wonderful time at the Portugal Day Parade earlier this month. It was a treat to get to walk in the Parade and celebrate all the contributions of our Portuguese community members to Davenport. Our team handed out fans, which came in handy in the hot sun!

My team and I had so much fun at Do West Fest this year. While the live music was excellent and the food was delicious, getting to meet Davenport residents was, as always, the best part.

This week I had the opportunity to visit the Abrigo Centre here in Davenport. The innovative community programs and supports that Abrigo Centre provides are crucial for Davenport and for our city. Thank you for the opportunity to learn about the agency's history and for the chance to visit with the seniors in the Life and Hope program!