Community Update: June 11, 2026

June 11, 2026 edition of Councillor Alejandra Bravo's Community Newsletter

A certain global football (or soccer, as it is commonly known here in Canada) tournament starts today, and I know that Davenport will kick it. I have my concerns about the organization that runs it, but I am a lover of the beautiful game because football belongs to everyone all over the world. I have seen kids kicking a ball made of rags or elastic bands, and doing headers during recess with a tennis ball. And celebrating football in our community is a deeply rooted and shared tradition.

That community spirit is what will make the next few weeks next month so special. We will see it live across the ward, including World Cup-themed activities taking place across St. Clair West, Dundas Street, and throughout Ward 9. Many of us will gather to watch matches and to celebrate victories with passionate fans. Many will also participate in the music and art that this game inspires.

Tomorrow afternoon, I’d love for you to join me and my team at Earlscourt Park for a free, live screening of Canada’s first match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. We’ll be watching the game on a big screen at the gazebo on the west side of the park. Make sure to bring a blanket or a folding chair to sit on, and don’t forget to grab some popcorn from us when you arrive.

The World Cup was a hot topic during the Portugal Day celebrations this week, including the parade taking place Saturday morning on St. Clair West, which I’m looking forward to attending as I do every year. It’s also the theme of the beautiful mural unveiled this week by the Rogers Road BIA, entitled Unity in Diversity by artist FEFA. The mural celebrates the way the game brings people together across cultures and generations.

And of course outside of the tournament, there are so many other great summer events taking place around Davenport that you can read about in this newsletter. But first, see you on Friday!

Sincerely,

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

In this Edition

Take the Carlton Park playground improvement survey
FIFA World Cup 2026™!
June is Indigenous Peoples Month
Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program
Summerlicious 2026 – Taste the World in a City
Keeping trees healthy this summer
Helping seniors stay safe during Fire Safety Awareness Month
Celebrating Seniors Month
Safer Partying for students during year-end celebrations, prom and grad season
The City of Toronto’s Summer Safety Plan
Na-Me-Res Pow Wow at Dufferin Grove Park
West Toronto Railpath Community Clean-up and Planting
J.J.P. Older Adults BBQ on June 18th
West End Family Pride is taking place on Saturday, June 13th

Take the Carlton Park playground improvement survey

The City is improving the playground in Carlton Park as part of an ongoing program to enhance playgrounds and play spaces across the city, so that everyone can experience the joys and benefits of play for years to come.

This phase of engagement will inform the playground design and ultimately what equipment is used. The results of the thought exchange will be posted on the project webpage. Detailed design will follow this phase of engagement, then moving into construction procurement. It is anticipated that construction will begin this fall, weather permitting, with the work being completed in Spring 2027.

Share your thoughts on the playground design and equipment options in an online survey by June 29, 2026.

FIFA World Cup 2026™!

Toronto is ready to welcome the world to FIFA World Cup 2026™ on Friday (June 12) when Team Canada kicks things off by playing its first match – against Bosnia and Herzegovina! In total, Toronto is hosting six matches at Toronto Stadium at Exhibition Place and matches will be shown at Nathan Phillips Square and a host of other locations around the city.

FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto will run for 22 days at Fort York and The Bentway, giving soccer fans the opportunity to come together to watch broadcasts while enjoying live entertainment, interactive experiences and food from more than 30 vendors.

You can find the match schedule and more on the official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Toronto website and the City of Toronto’s web page.

June is Indigenous Peoples Month

Indigenous Peoples Month honours and celebrates First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. This year, the City’s two main events celebrating Indigenous peoples and their contributions to Toronto take place at a new location: Biidaasige Park. The Indigenous Arts Festival takes place Saturday, June 20, followed by the National Indigenous Peoples Day Morning Ceremony on Sunday, June 21. Learn more.

Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program

The City of Toronto is here to help before basement flooding happens. Through the City’s expanded Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program, homeowners can get up to $6,650 to help pay for eligible flood protection work. Every home is at risk of basement flooding, even if it has not happened before. Find ways to protect your home and learn more about the expanded Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program at toronto.ca/BasementFlooding.

Summerlicious 2026 – Taste the World in a City

Summerlicious returns July 3 to 19, bringing back one of Toronto’s favourite culinary celebrations. Support local and taste the world in a city while exploring Toronto’s diverse cuisines and neighbourhoods. More than 230 restaurants across the city will offer three-course prix fixe lunch and dinner menus at a range of price points.

A full list of participating restaurants and menus is available on the Summerlicious web page.

Keeping trees healthy this summer

During the hot summer months, trees need extra care to stay healthy. If you have a young tree on or in front of your property, you can help keep that tree healthy by adding mulch, checking the soil for dryness and watering it two to three times a week. If your tree has a green watering bag, fill it twice a week. Learn more: Tree care tips.

Helping seniors stay safe during Fire Safety Awareness Month

This Seniors Month, Toronto Fire Services is marking Fire Safety Awareness Month with a strong focus on helping seniors stay safe at home. Fire Services will host a series of fire safety presentations aimed at providing older adults with the knowledge and resources needed to prevent fires and respond effectively in an emergency. Learn more about this initiative and visit Toronto Fire Services’ public education web page.

Celebrating Seniors Month

We celebrate Seniors Month by honouring the lives, contributions and lasting impact of older adults in our communities. Throughout the month of June, the City will host events for residents in long-term care homes – including Pride celebrations, World Cup watch parties and National Indigenous Peoples Month activities – to foster connection, inclusion and learning.

Learn more on the City’s web page.

Safer Partying for students during year-end celebrations, prom and grad season

Toronto Public Health encourages students to celebrate safely and plan ahead. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to talk with their teens about making safe, responsible decisions during milestone events. Safer partying tips for teens and parents are available at toronto.ca/SaferPartying

The City of Toronto’s Summer Safety Plan

The Summer Safety Plan brings together programs and services that help young people feel safe and supported in their communities – from sports and arts programming, to job training, mental health supports and more. This year, youth and families can easily find summer opportunities by neighbourhood or keyword search at toronto.ca/summersafetyplan.

Na-Me-Res Pow Wow at Dufferin Grove Park

The Na-Me-Res Pow Wow will take place on June 13 at Dufferin Grove Park, ahead of National Indigenous Peoples Day. This free, family-friendly event welcomes everyone to experience the vibrant traditions of Indigenous culture. Enjoy drumming, dancing, and singing, browse craft and food vendors, and connect with community booths. Grand Entry begins at Noon and the celebration continues until 5:00 pm.

More information about the Na-Me-Res Pow Wow can be found here: https://www.nameres.org/2026-pow-wow/

West Toronto Railpath Community Clean-up and Planting

Join me and the City of Toronto in celebration of work commencing this fall on this long-awaited community asset.

J.J.P. Older Adults BBQ on June 18

The City of Toronto Parks and Recreation division invites older adults to a barbecue at the Joseph J. Piccininni Community Recreation Centre at 12:30 pm on June 18.

West End Family Pride is taking place on Saturday, June 13

The event is designed for queer families and allies in the west end – a part of the city that doesn't currently have its own Pride celebration. We're starting modestly this year, with a goal of 25 families, and building toward something that grows with the community. Programming will include drag storytime, food, and family activities, all free and open to the public.

In the Community

It had a blast kicking off off Pride Month at City Hall. I’m looking forward to celebrating Pride in Davenport and across Toronto this month.

It was fun to see all of the amazing performances at Arts in the Park at Dufferin Grove.

The had the pleasure of attending the unveiling of a beautiful new mural by artist FEFA at Silverthorn and Rogers.

It was great to take part in the Portugal Day festivities at City Hall alongside ACAPO.

I had a great time at the Rawlinson Community School Fun Fair.

More Updates

I hope you enjoyed this Community Update. Visit our website for more Davenport news, updates, and events.