Phase 1 Town Square ready to proceed

Thanks to extraordinary community generosity, a Live Green Toronto grant, and support from Councillor Gord Perks, Phase 1 of the Sorauren Park Town Square is set to become a reality later this year.

The Phase 1 community fundraising campaign far exceeded its initial goal of $40,000, raising to date almost $62,000 and counting. Councillor Perks was able to secure additional funding in order to meet the conditions of a $125,000 matching grant from Live Green Toronto, providing $250,000 in funding that helps start the project managed by Parks, Forestry and Recreation. Phase 1 construction can begin later this summer.

How far Phase 1 goes is still being determined by the design and construction teams. The Planning Partnership has been hired by the City to prepare final design concepts and drawings. The full build-out of the Square will require a second phase of fundraising.

Town Square concept with Market

Town Square concept with Market

Thanks gardeners

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The gardens around the Sorauren Fieldhouse got a spring cleaning thanks to local volunteers and volunteers from the Yale University alumni, who participate in an annual worldwide service day. This is the third year Yale has pitched in.

Thanks to this year’s Sorauren and Yale crew Jennifer, Paul, May, Brenda, Doug, Danielle, Ray, Ruby, Toby, Nina. Thanks to a flower donation from Sweatpea’s on Roncesvalles. Thanks to Parks, Forestry and Recreation for the wood chip supply and Sunny Joe’s Cafe for the java.

Volunteers freshen up Fieldhouse

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Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who recently spent two Saturdays prepping then painting the downstairs room at the Sorauren Park Fieldhouse. (Several volunteers were part of the crew five years ago!) Very special thank-yous to Frank Perri at High Park Paints on Roncesvalles Ave. who donated the paint (again!), and to Susan Vandendam for expertly organizing the event. Stay tuned for news about the next painting bee for the upstairs room.

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Letter-writing bee for electric trains May 2

Wellington, NZ (population 395,000) ordered these electric train units in 2010... maybe Toronto could have electric trains too.

Wellington, NZ (population 395,000) ordered these electric train units in 2010… maybe Toronto could have electric trains too.

Everyone’s invited to a special meeting of the Wabash Building Society on May 2, when we’ll have all the supplies necessary for a community letter-writing bee to advocate for electric trains instead of carcinogenic diesel trains on the rail corridor beside the park.

This is your chance to take concrete action in an easy, fun, productive way. All ages invited, especially kids.

Help send a message to Queen’s Park! We’ll deliver the letters.

Our provincial leaders could have chosen years ago to opt for cleaner, faster, quieter, lighter, cheaper electric trains for the new rail link connecting Pearson Airport to Union Station. The air-rail link, now called UP Express, could have been a model for eventual electrification of the entire GO train system.

Instead, the government wasted years, then ordered Metrolinx to purchase diesel trains in a deal with a California State transit agency. All to meet the Pan Am Games deadlines.

Do we want cancer trains as a legacy of the Pan Am Games? When there has always been a better alternative?

Read the open letter to Premier Wynne describing how diesel trains fail on all counts: health, environment, economic, transit, social justice. (The diesel train service is designed for the downtown One Percenters who can afford the $20-$35 one-way fare, not the people who live along the rail corridor. It is not public transit to the airport; compare Vancouver’s $3.75 fare to its airport on the electric Canada Line.)

The City of Toronto, Toronto District School Board, Professional Engineers of Ontario, Auditor General, Chief Medical Officer of Health, and many transit experts are among those who have spoken out against the current plan for the diesel air-rail link, for many reasons.

Write your own letter. Learn the facts. Help protect the health of those who use Sorauren Park and who live along the rail corridor. Make a difference in the next provincial election.

Come to the letter-writing bee:
Thursday, May 2, starting 7 p.m. at the Sorauren Park Fieldhouse
50 Wabash Ave.

A Canadian company called Bombardier makes electric commuter trains for markets around the world. Maybe Toronto could have electric trains, too.

A Canadian company called Bombardier makes electric commuter trains for markets around the world. Maybe Toronto could have electric trains, too.

Town Square public consultation April 17

Sorauren Park Town Square location

Marching towards the Community Centre… help us tear down the fence and finish the Town Square

The City of Toronto, Wabash Building Society, The Planning Partnership and Councillor Gord Perks invite the community to a special consultation and unveiling of the updated plans for the Sorauren Park Town Square.

The City has contracted The Planning Partnership, a noted interdisciplinary landscape architecture, urban design and planning firm, to prepare the final plans prior to Town Square construction. Come see the plans and provide your input at this special public meeting.

Sorauren Park Town Square Consultation
Wednesday, April 17, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Parkdale Community Centre, 75 Lansdowne Avenue
(in the small gym shared with Parkdale Public School)

The Town Square needs your donation to take flight! We are getting close to our goal… and every dollar donated before MAY 1 is doubled thanks to a matching grant from Live Green Toronto. All donations over $10 receive a charitable tax receipt, and donations of $100 or more are recognized on the donor walls. It’s easy to donate online, thanks to our partnership with the charitable Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation. Donate today, make your mark, and leave a lasting legacy for future generations!