Community Update: August 23, 2025

August 23, 2025 edition of Councillor Alejandra Bravo's Community Newsletter

Neighbour --

This summer, I’ve been taking advantage of opportunities to connect with neighbours at community events, festivals, and celebrations here in Davenport. With City Council and Committees on summer break for the month of August, I’ve been meeting directly with local residents and community groups across our Ward to hear concerns, ideas, and suggestions for improvements in our community.

Some of my summer highlights are included below:

July

Celebrating the opening of the Youth Leaders of Tomorrow Hub at Pelham Park, where my office worked with TCHC to create a new computer lab and programming space for young people.
Recognizing the contributions of Nicole Jacobs, manager of the Dufferin Grove Farmers' Market, with my 2025 BIG on Bloor Award at the Big on Bloor festival
Spending a sunny afternoon enjoying BBQ, carnival games, and live music to welcome the youth shelter operator Covenant House to our community
Joining parents and toddlers for a ribbon cutting at the new shade structure at Nairn Park that my office worked with the Parks division to get quickly installed
Joining residents and staff for an on-site visit at Gladstone Avenue to look for traffic safety, parking improvements, and the challenges of fast food delivery services.

August

Watching The Wild Robot under the stars with a record number of families who came to our free movie night in Earlscourt Park, hosted in partnership with CUPE Local 416
Meeting neighbours at our Chandos Park Pop-up Event and brainstorming ideas for park improvements, road safety opportunities, and how to increase access to transit and shelter
Attending the Regal Heights BIA’s festive at-capacity movie night at Anne Marie D’Amico Square
Joining Boon Avenue residents for an on-site discussion ranging from city road projects and contracts, homelessness and shelter, cleaner streets, safer traffic, and better transit

And the season isn’t over yet. We still have a few more weeks to soak up the summer sun. I’m looking forward to the next outdoor movie night on Friday, August 29th – join me and the City’s Recreation staff at Dufferin Grove Park for a free screening of Toy Story, along with pizza. And this weekend my office will again attend Concerts on Connelly in Wadsworth Park, where I will be on-hand to help hand out popcorn. More details about the movie night, as well as other city-wide and local updates, are available below.

To round out the summer, I always march in Toronto and York Region Labour Council’s Labour Day Parade, where I enjoy meeting Davenport residents amid the thousands of attendees. It’s a day to celebrate all the people whose hard work makes our city run, and to recommit to ensuring that Toronto is a place where everyone can build a better life.

Sincerely,

Alejandra Bravo
City Councillor • Ward 9 • Davenport
Chair, Economic & Community Development Committee

In this edition

Junction Triangle Library Now Open & Sunday Hours!
Neighbourhood Retail & Services Pop-Up Session at Dufferin Grove Farmers' Market
Pizza and Movie Night at Dufferin Grove Park
Old City Hall Open for Visits Until End of September
Volunteer at 2026 FIFA World Cup
Toronto Community Housing Tenant Council Nominations Open
Browse the City's fall recreation activities online
Request for volunteers: Adopt a Green Infrastructure Site at Peel & Gladstone
The Toronto Police Service Board wants your feedback on policing
Register for the City's free Small Business Forum
Now accepting applications: tax and utility bill relief program
Concerts on Connolly
In the community
Other news

Junction Triangle Library Now Open & Sunday Hours!

The new Toronto Public Library Branch at 305 Campbell Avenue is now open! The Junction Triangle Branch opened its doors to the public on Wednesday. Replacing the now-closed Perth/Dupont branch, the Junction Triangle spot is a brand-new space that is more than three times the size of the old branch, with much more room for book lovers to read, explore, and relax. While the branch is now open, stay tuned for details about an official Grand Opening event coming this Fall.

There’s good news for other Toronto Public Library Branches, too: Beginning October 19, 2025, all 100 Toronto Public Library branches will be open on Sundays from 12 pm to 5 pm year-round.

I’m proud to have supported Mayor Chow’s efforts to increase hours and library services across our City. In Davenport, the Dufferin/St. Clair branch and the new Junction Triangle branch will offer Sunday hours for the first time this upcoming season (previously, the Perth Dupont branch was not open on Sundays).

Neighbourhood Retail & Services Pop-Up Session at Dufferin Grove Farmers' Market

Let the City know what you think! The City of Toronto is proposing zoning law changes to promote more small businesses in and around residential neighbourhoods. This proposal includes zoning changes to authorize a wide range of businesses on major streets and limited options for interior streets of residential neighbourhoods. We want to hear from community members for feedback on the proposal.

Come to the strategy pop up at Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market on August 28th, from 3-7pm to learn more and share your thoughts on these plans. For more information on the City’s Neighborhood Retail and Services work, and to fill out the online survey, visit: Neighbourhood Retail & Services – City of Toronto

Pizza and Movie Night at Dufferin Grove Park

Old City Hall Open for Visits Until End of September

Visit Old City Hall to uncover a piece of the rich history of Toronto! Old City hall is now open to the public every Friday from 10am – 3pm, and on select Saturdays until the end of September. Old City Hall is located at 60 Queen St. W. with ramp access via Albert Street.

Immerse yourself in culture with various pop-up events at Old City Hall. You can revisit the early 2000s in a free digital exhibit from the City of Toronto Archives, Millenium City: Official City Photography 2000-2010, which is on until September 26. Audio tours are also available, as is Old City Hall for weddings and other events.

Find more information through the City’s page for Old City Hall: Summer at Old City Hall – City of Toronto.

Volunteer at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Be a part of Canada’s first time hosting the world's biggest soccer event and volunteer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup!

We encourage all those who are passionate about soccer and ready to contribute their energy to apply. There is no prior volunteering experience required for this role, and training will be provided. Please note that English speaking is a requirement. Find more information about the available roles and how to apply at City’s FIFA World Cup 26™ Toronto Volunteers webpage here: FIFA World Cup 26™ Toronto Volunteers – City of Toronto

Toronto Community Housing Tenant Council Nominations Open

TCHC’s Tenant Council Elections nomination period has officially launched and will run until September 4, 2025. During this time, tenants across Toronto Community Housing will have the opportunity to nominate themselves to represent their communities on Tenant Councils. The Councils play a crucial role in tenant engagement and community building by representing tenant voices, collaborating with staff and local leaders, and strengthening communication and decision-making in TCHC communities across the city.

The election guide and tenant nomination forms are available on TCHC’s website at the links below.

Nomination form
Election guide
Key election details:
- Nomination period: Tuesday, August 5 – Thursday, September 4
- Advance voting: October 2 – 9
- Election days (one per region)
- East Region – Tuesday, October 14
- West Region – Wednesday, October 15
- Central Region – Thursday, October 16

For more information about eligibility, roles, responsibilities, or volunteering during the elections, tenants can visit the Tenant Council Elections page or contact [email protected]

Browse the City's fall recreation activities online

Check out the City’s fall recreation activities such as skating, arts classes, sports and more! The City’s fall recreation activity listings are now available to view online and add to your wish list ahead of registration opening in mid-September.

Be prepared and find activity listings, registration details and information session dates at the City’s registration page: Online Registration & Booking – City of Toronto

If you would like support with signing up, registration preparation sessions will be offered online on Wednesday, August 27, Wednesday, September 3 and Wednesday, September 10. Each session will show participants how to create a wish list and prioritize their selections, register and pay (with or without a credit card) and use theWelcome Policy. Find dates and times and register to attend a session attoronto.ca/OnlineReg.

Request for Volunteers: Adopt a Green Infrastructure Site at Peel & Gladstone

There’s an exciting opportunity for local residents and community groups to be engaged in the maintenance of Green Infrastructure (GI) sites in Davenport. GreenForceTO's workforce development is recruiting volunteers to adopt planters at Peel and Gladstone for the 2025 growing season.

Activities will include planting, mulching, watering, deadheading, litter pickup, weeding, pruning and filling maintenance tracking forms. The time commitment is approx. 2 hours per week on average. All materials and training will be provided, as well as potential connections to green industry opportunities, and an appreciation event in the Fall.

If this sounds like an interesting opportunity or would like more information, get in touch with Luisa Martinez ([email protected]) or fill this form.

The Toronto Police Service Board wants your feedback on policing

The Toronto Police Service Board is currently developing its Strategic Plan for Policing in Toronto and is seeking input from the public. This Plan will guide how police services are delivered across the city, with a focus on effective, fair, and community-focused policing. The deadline to provide input to the Plan is: September 2, 2025.

While the development of the Plan is guided by legislation and policy, it is equally shaped by the voices of Torontonians. The Board is inviting all community members to share their ideas, experiences, and hopes for the future of policing in Toronto. Public input will play a key role in ensuring the Strategic Plan reflects the values, needs, and diversity of the city. Feedback can be submitted through the short, confidential online form, which is available by visiting tpsb.ca/strategicplan/public-input

Register for the City's free Small Business Forum

Registration is now open for the City of Toronto’s Small Business Forum, taking place Wednesday, October 29 at Meridian Hall (1 Front St. E.). This free event celebrates and supports small businesses through a day of inspiration, learning and connection.

This year’s theme, Small Business, Big World, explores global trends, export opportunities and supply chain strategies - empowering entrepreneurs to grow internationally while connecting with industry leaders, business community innovators and City programs. Register to attend and find more information on the City’s Small Business Forum webpage here: Small Business Forum – City of Toronto

Now accepting applications: tax and utility bill relief program

Are you a low-income senior or low-income person with a disability who owns a home in Toronto? You may qualify for financial relief on your property tax and utility bills. The City’s relief programs are available to help ease financial strain and make sure eligible property owners can comfortably maintain their residences. The deadline to apply is Friday, October 31. Find details and apply on the City’s Property Tax, Water & Solid Waste Relief webpage.