Community centre updates: new video series

There’s one question that every volunteer director of the Friends of Sorauren Park (FOSP) gets from friends, family and neighbours: What’s happening with the Wabash Community Centre?

To answer that question and help the community stay current with updates, FOSP is launching a new series of short videos hosted by FOSP board member Stephen Dorsey. The first video describes the purpose of the drilling and testing work that recently took place in Sorauren Park.

The Wabash Community Centre, to occupy the site of the old linseed factory in the park, is currently in the design phase with the City of Toronto’s contracted design consultants, Diamond Schmitt Architects. Following public consultations undertaken by FOSP and three rounds of consultations undertaken by the City, the architects are expected to report back on a preferred site design this fall. Construction is expected to start in 2023 following completion of final design.

Continue reading →

Sorauren Summer Kids Fun Week 2: Park Bingo!

Missing the playground at Charles G. Williams Park while it’s under construction? Try our Sorauren Summer Kids Fun activities, including this week’s Park Bingo!

Download the Bingo card (PDF) or collect your Park Bingo card at Scooter Girl Toys on Roncesvalles Avenue, and start your hunt. Cross off each bingo square with each find. Do it by yourself, or in a team. Challenge your parents or care-givers!

You can win prizes! Take photos of your completed Bingo card, and tag @SoraurenPark on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. There will be a weekly draw for free popcorn, redeemable at the concession stand at the Sorauren Park Outdoor Movies once they start up again (fingers crossed!), plus one grand prize at the end of the summer from Scooter Girl Toys, our Sorauren Summer Kids Fun sponsor.

You can also drop by the Friends of Sorauren Park table every Monday at the Farmers’ Market, 3 – 7 pm by the Town Square, for (physically distanced) activity tips.

Continue reading →

Introducing Sorauren Summer Kids Fun: Build a kite

Introducing Sorauren Summer Kids Fun! It’s a weekly series featuring a fun instructional video with self-guided activities you can do at home or at the park. You can also drop by the Friends of Sorauren Park table every Monday at the Farmers’ Market, 3 – 7 pm by the Town Square, for (physically distanced) activity tips.

The program is geared for kids aged 6 or under… or for all kids-at-heart.

And you can win prizes! Take photos of your Sorauren Summer Kids Fun creations and activities, and tag @SoraurenPark on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. There will be a weekly draw for free popcorn, redeemable at the concession stand at the Sorauren Park Outdoor Movies once they start up again (fingers crossed!), plus one grand prize at the end of the summer from Scooter Girl Toys, our Sorauren Summer Kids Fun sponsor.

Check SoraurenPark.com every Monday or our @SoraurenPark social media sites for each new activity.

Continue reading →

Dogs of Sorauren series returns for second year

The Dogs of Sorauren video series returns following a successful debut last year

The Friends of Sorauren Park are pleased to launch a second season of Dogs of Sorauren Park, part of the Sorauren Stories video series created last year during the pandemic.

The first profile features Pepsi and owner Elyse. The videos can be seen on SoraurenPark.com, on @SoraurenPark social media platforms, and on the Friends of Sorauren Park YouTube channel, where the entire Sorauren Stories video catalogue is available for your viewing pleasure.

Follow us to watch more videos over the summer. Many thanks to the owners, the pooches, and the Friends of Sorauren Park summer students, Dion Lynch and Amanda Vo, who are compiling the series and working on more exciting summer programs for the community.

Thanks also to our new Dogs of Sorauren Park season sponsor, Master Mechanic High Park. If you follow Master Mechanic, you’ll know why!

Construction starts June: Charles G. Williams Park

A sign erected by the City of Toronto on a fence by the park says construction will start in June 2021 and last until this fall.

The City of Toronto says construction will start this month on the revitalization of Charles G. Williams Park across Wabash Avenue from Sorauren Park. The project has been in the works for several years; construction signs recently went up around the park.

The park will be closed during construction, which is expected to last till this fall. Design highlights include:

  • A new playground, new landscaping and new pathways
  • New surface on the basketball court
  • A new junior single-court basketball pad
  • A new splash pad, replacing the wading pool
  • New bocce ball court and outdoor ping-pong table
Continue reading →