Jungle Book next outdoor movie August 26

The Jungle Book plays Aug. 26 at Sorauren Park

Join Mowgli, Baloo and the jungle crew at the next Sorauren Park Outdoor Movie, when we screen The Jungle Book 2016 live action edition, rated PG.

The film starts at 8:30 p.m. on the Sorauren Town Square. Our concession stand will have fresh-popped popcorn, drinks and Sorauren Park t-shirts for sale. All proceeds support the non-profit Friends of Sorauren Park.

And bring your smartphone to play Sorauren Screen Play, the fun new outdoor quiz game inspired by the indoor version at a popular cinema near you. Beat the clock and answer correctly to win Sorauren Park swag.

Thanks again to our sponsors (and your donations) for making the free outdoor movie series possible.

Beautiful new drinking fountain thanks to donations

The new drinking fountain and water bottle filling station thanks to the FitzGerald family and friends

Thirsty? Check out the new water fountain and water bottle filling station by the Sorauren Fieldhouse. Thanks to the FitzGerald family and friends, who raised $20,000 in donations in honour of Owen FitzGerald. It’s a wonderful addition to the park and a memorial the whole community can enjoy for many years to come.

The concrete pad poured for the fountain was specially designed to also accommodate the new bake oven, to be constructed this summer… watch for notices.

Thanks also to Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation and Parks, Forestry and Recreation for making this legacy a reality.

Ages 4 – 5 Summer Camps at Sorauren

Parks, Forestry and Recreation operates Activity Camps out of the Sorauren Fieldhouse during the summer for the younger set, ages 4 – 5. Morning and afternoon programs are available.

To register, you’ll need a Family Number and Client Number with the City. Then you’ll need to know the barcodes for the programs you want. Barcodes and details here.

PFR also operates Activity Camps for ages 6 – 12 at Parkdale Community Recreation Centre on Lansdowne Avenue, in Parkdale Public School.

Have a great summer!

City Council votes YES to Wabash Community Centre

Birds-eye view drawing of the old brick linseed oil mill building, re-imagined as the Wabash Community Centre

2009 concept plan for Wabash Community Centre by Oleson Worland_Taylor Smyth architects, in joint venture. The plan would use the footprint and exterior of the old linseed oil mill

Toronto City Council has voted to start work this year on the Wabash Community Centre at Sorauren Park.

Work will begin with a modest $50,000 budgeted for pre-engineering. That will be followed by design in 2018 and 2019, with shovels in the ground planned for 2020, towards a 2022 or 2023 opening. Total project budget is $32.4 million.

“After 17 years on the books and many years of community advocacy before that, this is wonderful news,” said Joël Campbell, chair of the all-volunteer Friends of Sorauren Park. “This is a milestone.”

The Friends of Sorauren Park recently concluded its “Unlock the Community Centre” awareness campaign, the latest in a long series of actions to advocate for the centre.

The project is included in Parks, Forestry and Recreation’s capital budget and plan, which City Council approved Wednesday, February 15, 2017, as part of the overall City budget.

The most recent plans for the community centre, prepared as part of a 2009 feasibility study, would convert the abandoned Canada Linseed Oil Mills building next to the park into a 40,000 sq. ft. community hub with a gym (shown above), multipurpose rooms, studios and fitness rooms, youth space, kitchen and third-floor event space with a rooftop terrace.

Follow us on social media @SoraurenPark, our website and this newsletter for updates and news on design consultations.

Friends of Sorauren Park would like to thank Councillor Gord Perks, along with previous Ward 14 councillors Sylvia Watson and Chris Korwin-Kuczynski, who all moved the project along at various stages at City Council.

Most of all, thanks to the community, which has advocated ceaselessly for the community centre since the early 1990s. Never stop believing.

Illustration showing a gym and hallways with light streaming from the top

Artist’s rendering of gym and first floor of community centre

Guardians of the Galaxy July 22 on Sorauren screen

The second outdoor movie of the season features the swashbuckling raccoon and other heroes (human, couple of aliens, a wonderful tree-being) from the 2014 summer hit, Guardians of the Galaxy.

If you loved it the first time, you’ll love it more with friends at the park. If you haven’t seen it, now’s your chance. If you’re unsure about sci-fi comic book adventures, this is the one to check out. Great soundtrack. Funny. PG.

The movie plays on the big screen at the Sorauren Town Square on Saturday, July 22 starting at 9:00. It’s free, with popcorn and park t-shirts for sale, and donations always accepted.

Thanks again to our sponsors for making the Sorauren Outdoor Movie season possible.

Volunteers needed July 22-23 to finish outdoor oven

The Friends of Sorauren Park are calling for community volunteers to help finish the park’s new bake oven, with a community build scheduled for Saturday, July 22 and Sunday July 23.

There’s a special need for a mason or folks with masonry skills, as well as folks with carpentry and roofing skills. But anyone handy with tools and willing to help out is invited to put their stamp on the oven. We’ll have a contractor on hand to supervise.

The oven’s specialized core has been completed by a professional. Now we need to build the housing and roof to surround the core and give the oven its final look.

The final build is made possible thanks to a generous donation by the Alterra Group of Companies, builders of the 35 Wabash Avenue condo across the street from the park. Alterra’s donation purchases all the supplies to finish the oven. Thanks Alterra!

Use our volunteer form to sign up and receive details.

End your long weekend at the Market

It’s the perfect finish to your long Canada Day weekend.

Come to the Sorauren Farmers Market on Monday, July 3 from 3 – 7 p.m. on the Sorauren Town Square.

Enjoy fresh Ontario produce, delicious prepared food, meats, baked goods and yummy sweets.

The Farmer’s Market is brought to you every Monday, year-round, by the staff and volunteers of the West End Food Co-op. And the farmers.

 

Monty Python Holy Grail first outdoor movie June 24

Chercher le vache… no longer. Monty Python and the Holy Grail will be the first movie of the Sorauren Park Outdoor Movie series, following the (new) tradition of a cult classic for the year’s first film.

The movie starts at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 24 at the Sorauren Town Square. Come early to claim a spot and get your popcorn and Friends of Sorauren Park t-shirt.

Big thanks to our sponsors.