[joepantaloneblog.org]

Festival at the Fort: August 3-20/2010

 

Community Clean-up Day: Saturday April 24

 

20-Minute Makeover: Friday April 23, 2pm

 

Contact information for 311

Phone within Toronto city limits 311

Phone outside city limits 416.392.CITY(2489)

TTY customers 416.338.0TTY(0889)

Fax 416.338.0685

Email 311@toronto.ca 

 
http://toronto.ca/311

The Revival of Trinity Bellwoods Community Association

As the Friends are specifically park focused,  the revival of the Trinity Bellwoods Community Association (TBCA)  is a welcome and much needed addition to Trinity Bellwoods area.  The Friends are supportive of this residential focused volunteer group, hope you are too. 

The Trinity Bellwoods Community Association is being revived!  7pm Thursday March 25th 1st MEETING @ TRC.

If you are interested in getting involved in what's going on in the community, the first meeting will be held:

March 25th at the Trinity Community Recreation Centre (on Crawford between Dundas and Queen) at 7 p.m. in the Activities Room.

We are also working hard to build up our own email list! If you are interested in staying in touch with upcoming news and meeting notifications please email  TrinityBellwoodsCA@gmail.com

Find us on our Facebook group http://tinyurl.com/TrinBellCA and make sur to add our blog TrinityBellwoodsCA.blogspot.com to your RSS feed!

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting!

Update on Cycling and Paths in Trinity Bellwoods Park

Background
In the fall and winter of 2008-2009, the City of Toronto worked with local cyclists to identify ways to improve cycling conditions in the west end of downtown. Two routes identified through this process (10 Argyle-Robinson, and 29A Strachan-Shaw) seem to require connections through Trinity Bellwoods Park.

The Cycling Infrastructure & Programs Division of the City of Toronto undertook a project proposal for upgrades to the existing multi-use paths in Trinity Bellwoods Park. The proposed upgrade to the existing multi-use paths in Trinity Bellwood's do not include dedicated bike lanes. Recognizing that cyclists and pedestrians are already sharing the paths, it would be the goal of the project to make the paths in the park safer and more comfortable for all users, including pedestrians. An example would be the proposed realignment of the path at Gore Vale Ave. and Queen Street, where cyclists would be directed north of the intersection to avoid the corner where current conflicts occur with pedestrians.

For cyclists, the proposed path upgrade would provide an important and safer connection for the Argyle-Robinson bicycle route for cyclists who are less comfortable riding on arterial roads such as Queen Street. For other "speedy" cyclists in the area, Shaw Street will be designated as a bicycle route with sharrows and a contra-flow bike lane north of Dundas Street. Both proposed bikeways are part of the West End Bikeways project, which you can find out more about here http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/public-consultations/pdf/west-end-bikeways-031009.pdf.
  

Community Consultation
On February 24^th, 2010 a Public Open House was held at Trinity Bellwoods Community Recreation Centre. I advocated for additional community consultation in this process. Residents were invited to view visual representations of the proposed project and submit comment cards with feedback. Some of the main components of the proposal included a widening of the existing path, removal of a deteriorated portion of paved path in the north east corner of the park, and installation of one new portion of path in front of the Recreation Centre, to divert cyclists away from the children’s play area.

From this consultation, both concerns and accolades were brought forward by area residents. A petition expressing opposition to the path was also circulated by the Friends of Trinity Bellwoods Park. Cycling Infrastructure & Programs Staff are developing a report on their findings.
 

Next Steps
As a result of much community response, I insisted that Cycling Infrastructure “go back to the drawing board” to reformulate the proposed multi-use path upgrade. They will be looking at changes to the final design that incorporate and address resident concerns such as: maintaining green space, minimizing the intensity, speed, and amount of cycling traffic, and options for path surfaces. I am advocating that the proposed path be not even one inch wider. I will keep you informed of the final proposal (expected in April) before it is implemented.

I want to thank everyone who is participating in this very important debate on public space. I believe by working together we can make Toronto an even better place to live, work and play.

Sincerely,

Joe Pantalone

Deputy Mayor

City of Toronto

Stanley Park Update

Progress is steadily being made to improve to South Stanley Park as agreed upon by the Niagara Neighbourhood community in consultation with myself and Parks staff.

The work on the Pool House is underway and is proceeding in two Phases with completion by the year's end:

The construction work for Stanley Outdoor Pool Phase  I is in progress on site, and is scheduled to be completed prior to the pool opening in June. 

The work being done under Phase I includes:

1) the original CAMP state-of-good-repair work  which included replacing the windows, doors, and replacing various finishes, and

2) preliminary work to prepare for the renovation/accommodation of a the multi-purpose space, including selective demoliton, reconfiguring the storage areas, construction of selected new partition walls, and the completion of a barrier free washroom.

Currently, the demolition is in progress.

The construction work for Stanley Outdoor Pool Phase II is scheduled to start in September after the pool shuts down for the season, and will be completed by year end.

The work being done under Phase II includes completing the new multi-purpose area, adding a vestibule, heating the building so that it can be used year round, and insulating the building. 

There will be further updates on implementing the Plans for the rest of the Park in the next month.

Toronto’s Eco-Roof Incentive Program now open

 
The City of Toronto is now accepting applications for its Eco-Roof Incentive Program, an initiative designed to promote the use of green and cool roofs on Toronto’s industrial, commercial and institutional buildings, and to help Toronto’s business community take action on climate change.

Eligible projects include:

• Any green or cool roof on an existing industrial, commercial or institutional building.
• Any above grade green roof on a new industrial building with a gross floor area (GFA) of 10,000 m² (107,600 sq ft) or greater.
• Any green roof on a new institutional or commercial building with a GFA of less than 2,000 m² (21,528 sq ft).

Projects must be above grade; parking garages and at-grade roofs are ineligible.

Owners who install a green roof, which supports vegetation, can apply for a grant of $50 per square metre up to $100,000. Cool roofs, which feature a membrane or coating to reflect the sun’s rays, are eligible for $2-5 per square metre up to $50,000.

The benefits of green and cool roofs are many.  Both reduce urban heat and associated energy use. Green roofs also help manage stormwater, enhance biodiversity, improve air quality and beautify Toronto.

Applications will be accepted online until April 1, 2010.  A second round of funding will be available in the fall.

For more information, visit toronto.ca/livegreen/ecoroofs. 

King Liberty Pedestrian Cyclist Link

TMp Launch