Cedarvale Park - Designed for the People by the People

April 30, 2012

Cedarvale Park - Designed for the People by the People.

Ask yourself these questions. Who wants to erect a playground
beside a highway? Who wants to make a tennis clubhouse on the
shoulder of a 4-lane expressway? Who wants to play ball, walk dogs
or have a picnic in the middle of an interchange? Does it sound
ludicrous? Hold on a minute, this is what we would all be doing -
right now - when Cedarvale Park almost disappeared in 1971. The
Spadina Expressway was cancelled and Cedarvale Park remains
today.

In short, the vision and hard work of community members retained
Cedarvale Park as a legacy for all the people for future generations. It
unites and benefits the community by being accessible to everyone.

The Issues At Hand
The community engagement process has failed regarding recent and
future plans for Cedarvale Park. Autocratic decisions and absence of
leadership has lead to the appropriation of public space in Cedarvale
Park. Toronto Parks, and the City seem to have admonished their
duty to protect public space. Community members have called for a
Cedarvale Park plan that suggests long-term vision for the park.

A case in point is with the Leo Baeck private school (AMS site see
below). Leo Baeck has proposed a private playground and related
sports areas with limited access times for the public. Another possible
plan is to create a perimeter road that circles Leo Baeck to facilitate
the vehicular traffic and drop-off of students.

Public parking spots at Phil White Arena have been negotiated for
and obtained by Leo back for their staff.

Adjacent to the Leo Baeck site are new tennis courts replacing the
old structures. The newly reconstructed tennis courts were welcomed
by the neighbourhood and community at large, however there was
much vocal opposition when it was revealed that a ‘Cedarvale

Tennis Club’ with 400 plus members was established without prior
knowledge of any of the neighbourhood residents.

Adjacent to the tennis courts and the Children’s Garden are plans for
a play structure with water play features. Community members have
come forward suggesting that the play structures be designed with
cutting edge innovations. These current designs create more creative
play season round. It also makes the site more accessible for all the
community members young and old. See the designs and thinking at

https://www.naturalplaygrounds.ca/

Stand up for your park! Cedarvale Park.com respectfully asks that
any public space be for the benefit for all the community. We ask that
a long term planning be implemented. Please sign the petition and
forward to other interested community members.
https://www.change.org/members/16124096

Please write City Councillor Joe Mihevc
[email protected] and personally request community
consultation and development of a vision and long-range plan for
Cedarvale Park.

A Short History
It was the legacy of community activists such as urban theorist
Jane Jacobs, who said (paraphrased) “Toronto planners haven’t the
faintest interest in the values of neighborhoods or community”. See
Spadina Expressway

The debate over the Spadina Expressway, and its eventual
cancellation, is regarded as a watershed moment in local politics.
Toronto City Council was changing with the likes of David Crombie,
John Sewell, Allan Sparrow and Colin Vaughan. This new council
viewed the Metro government and its officials with suspicion as
not being accountable to local residents. In the 1950s and 1960s,
Metro and City Councils had pushed through numerous large

projects in transportation, and housing. The impacts on the central
neighbourhoods had been substantial and had led to grassroots
organizing.

At its time of cancellation in 1971, premier Bill Davis made this
statement:
“If we are building a transportation system to serve the automobile,
the Spadina Expressway would be a good place to start. But if we
are building a transportation system to serve people, the Spadina
Expressway is a good place to stop”

The neighbourhood directly south of the Spadina Road (Allen
Expressway) termination was then converted to a maze of one-
way streets that exist within the Vaughan Road, Arlington Avenue,
Oakwood and Eglinton Avenues. The one-way streets are meant to
buffer commuters to avoid a short cut through the neighbourhood.
The result is frustrating for drivers but the neighbourhoods south of
the Allen Expressway termination point were united by the existence
of Cedarvale Park and the community thrived with several schools in
the immediate area.

1971 - 2010
In 1970, Arlington Middle School (AMS) building was erected on 1.2
acres of land that the TDSB (Toronto District School Board) obtained
on the fringe of Cedarvale Park. Toronto City Parks owns the parking
lot and surrounding area of the school. It was positioned in close
proximity to the Phil White Arena.

Grades 7 and 8 students attended AMS since 1971. The students
were old enough to bike, walk and transit to the school. Often many
students walked through quiet Cedarvale Park from the nearby
schools such as J. R. Wilcox, Cedarvale, Rawlinson, Humewood,
West Prep, and F.H. Miller. AMS was located between the Eglinton
West TTC station and Vaughan Road TTC service which allowed
students to independently travel from all corners of the city to attend
this premier Middle School.

AMS has functioned as a community hub for many things such as
City of Toronto by-elections, neighbourhood community meetings and
for summer sports and recreation programs.

In 2009-2010 the TDSB held a series of ARCs (Accommodation
Review Committees) to get community input on which schools
should be closed. The ARCs were well intentioned but flawed in their
decision making process. As a result, the AMS site was to be closed.
The TDSB argued that it only owned the building. The community
was furious that the newest school of the five feeder schools was to
be sold. The only silver lining was that the local city councillor Joe
Mihevc wanted to pursue the building as a Community Centre. Many
doubted that this was possible since the building was poorly designed
for a community centre and would need extensive reconfiguration to
properly function.

The community was disheartened when a proposed community
centre did not materialize and the building was sold to a private
school. Leo Baeck has a K-8 student population of which many
students of elementary ages and must be driven and bussed to
school. The neighbourhood has concern because of the possibility of
the daily increase in traffic.

Be An Activist For Your Park!
Take action. Please sign the petition and forward to other interested
community members.
https://www.change.org/members/16124096

Please write City Councillor Joe Mihevc and personally request
community consultation and the development of long rang planning of
Cedarvale Park.
Joe Mihevc - [email protected]

Written by MyPark · Filed Under Community Organizations, Featured, Top Box, contributors

Tennis in Cedarvale Park - Should it Be Public or Private

April 5, 2012

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

The Cedarvale tennis courts are in jeopardy of being converted into a members club.

What does this mean?

A small group of individuals is currently working to push through a proposal that will significantly restrict public access to the Cedarvale Tennis Courts.

Priority use for our publicly funded courts will now go to paying club members, under the guise of a “community club”.

Proposed public hours will be reduced to:

12pm-1pm weekdays. 9pm-10pm weekends. 

In the event that club members are not occupying the courts, the general public may pay-to-play.

Programs recently offered by the city, such as tennis lessons for children, may be discontinued and replaced with members-only programs.

How did this happen?

Access to membership was formed inequitably, through personal contact with the club founders and their friends.

The club’s membership was already near capacity before the surrounding community was even consulted about our interest in changing the status of the courts.

With limited information provided to the immediate community, there was virtually no representation of the countless people this proposal negatively affects.

What can you do?

Without our voice, this small group will gain control of an invaluable public space that was intended for all of us.

Don’t let our newly renovated courts, the pride of our neighbourhood, become part of an exclusive club to which only a small fraction of the community has access.

Inform your neighbours. Forward this email to community members who may not be aware of these developments.

Most importantly — Contact our city councillor, Joe Mihevc.

Phone: 416-392-0208 Email: [email protected]

Get the voice of the community heard. Your say matters.

Written by Chris · Filed Under Featured, Top Box

Cedarvale Children’s Community Garden

May 5, 2011

cedarvale children’s community garden welcomes you!

all hands on deck!

Bring the kids out to experience the beauty and wonder of nature right here in the cccg, their “great big backyard”—Cedarvale Park. It’s almost time for the adult/family spring clean-up where parents come out to help with the heavy digging and clean-up of Winter’s debris. Parent/adult work day is re scheduled for Saturday, May 7 this year. We will start at 11 am. All hands on deck would be much, much appreciated!

The spring classes for parents and children (18 months to 18 years) will be on Wednesdays, starting May 11, 2011, usually from 6 to 8 pm, weather permitting.

seasonal overview

Once the risk of frost is passed, the children will start planting seeds and seedlings to create a bountiful garden of vegetables and flowers. As the season progresses our community children will work on maintaining the garden. They participate in preparing the soil, planning the garden, planting, cultivating, weeding, and harvesting. When we reach the harvesting stage, our young gardeners will pick ripe produce and help to sell it on the hill just beside the garden. The marvelous residents of our community have come to know our garden and its wonderful organic produce and they look forward to purchasing our freshly picked vegetables and flowers. The funds raised contribute to the yearly continuation of the CCCG. Donations are most welcome to help us continue the legacy of cultural and environmental diversity.

typical wednesday evening in the garden

We start the evening with a warm welcome to new faces, and returning ones. Teams and tasks are decided, and each group works to complete their tasks in and around the garden. As dusk starts to fall, we gather in a circle to read, sing and chat. The children give each family group a bouquet of the bounty to acknowledge their contributions in the garden.

our mission statement

At the cccg we teach the value of cultural diversity by exploring bio-diversity in the garden for the benefit of the children, the community, and the planet. CCCG offers free gardening classes for children & adults.

The CCCG is located near the Durham Avenue entrance of Cedarvale Park right beside the tennis courts. For further information and registration (or to make a donation which are always welcome and needed) please email us: [email protected] with your name, your child/ren/’s name/s, family telephone number, and family email address. We will send a confirmation email to you upon completion of registration.

we hope to see you in the garden!

Written by GardeningAngel · Filed Under Top Box

Strawberries & Asparagus Festival: June 12th, 2010

June 1, 2010

“Strawberries & Asparagus” is a community celebration of all things green. This festival in Toronto’s Cedarvale Park promotes public space, local and organic food, local sustainable business, nature appreciation, music, and fitness & health. Come along on Saturday June 12th from 11.00am to 5.00pm and enjoy:

healthy snacks and solar ice cream
free activities for children and adults
live music on our Bullfrog Powered stage
a marketplace for green businesses and environmental organizations

This not-for-profit event is organized each year by Chris Chopik of EvolutionGreen.Com and Cedarvale Children’s Garden, Fiesta Farms and Local Food Plus, and other ENGOs. There is also an Inorganic Market™ taking place – you can drop off used or broken electronic items for free recycling. Laptops, desktops, iPods, mp3 players, cell phones and more will be collected. Come out, meet the community, and enjoy the fun!Read on to learn about the day’s CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES, ADULT AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES, INORGANIC MARKET, GREEN MARKETPLACE and to see a LOCATION MAP where the event will take place.

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

Gardening Activities for Children:“Strawberries and Asparagus” takes place in the grounds around the Cedarvale Community Children’s Garden, established by Claire Rodger and “the gardening angels” a group of devoted adult volunteers. Learn more about this wonderful group by participating in their activities at “Strawberries and Asparagus” including:

11:00 am - 3:00 pm - Vegetable planting(Children should dress appropriately)

ADULT AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES:

LEAF : Learn stories relating to our local trees. LEAF will lead a tour that investigates the stories of local street trees and new plantings in the ravine. The walk lasts 45 minutes and is appropriate for walkers of all ages. Wear comfortable shoes.

3:00 pm - 3:45 pm LEAF Cedarvale Tree Walk (departs from Cedarvale Community Children’s Garden)

ZEN : Watch and participate in a Zen practice with practioner and teacher Olga Moritz of Full Circle Healing Arts. Sessions take place in the Zen Zone which can be entered from the park or from Arlington Road. Sessions are 45 minutes long and have been sponsored by the Inorganic Market™.

Sessions begin at 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2:00 PM

INORGANIC MARKET

Inorganic Market™: The Inorganic Market™ is a citizen-based approach to raise awareness about the issue of electronic waste based on community engagement through education and creative expression.The event includes community members’ creative expression through an activity, art, writing, or performance. We provide education through factual information and conversations about the issues surrounding electronic waste and consumerism. We also provide a collective opportunity for individuals to gather and dispose of their electronic waste.

Bring your unwanted electronics to the Inorganic Market™. They accept laptops, desktops, monitors, printers, scanners, fax machines, ipods, mp3 players, power bars, any type of wires and cables, speakers, keyboards, mice, video game consoles, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS’s), cell phones and routers. Components will be reused or recycled.

Collections will take place in the parking lot of Arlington Middle School from 11 am to 5 pm

GREEN MARKETPLACE:

Here are just a few of the many vendors and organizations that will be attending Strawberries and Asparagus 2010:

Solar Neighbourhood

Arise Technologies: Arise Technologies whose solar energy systems are increasingly appearing on the roofs of Ward 21 in Toronto and beyond will be bringing a solar powered ice cream cooler to the event and handing out free ice cream.

cacao beans Chocosol: This fair-trade chocolate company will have biopower grinders and blenders, chocolate drinks, chocolate foods, and a whole artistic display.

Dutch Dreams: Over the last 20 years, Dutch Dreams has become a landmark in our community. Located at St. Clair and Vaughn Road, the ice cream parlor offers their own line of Canadian-made ice creams and cones. Together with Arise Technologies, Dutch Dreams has sponsored the festival’s “solar cooled” ice creams for just $1 a cone.

Our Power: Our Power will have a booth illustrating what solar energy can do for you, your home and our environment. visit OurPower for more information.

Written by Chris · Filed Under Featured, Top Box

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January 16, 2010

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Written by GardeningAngel · Filed Under Top Box

THE ARC NEEDS YOUR HELP

January 16, 2010

Hullo Neighbours, Happy New Year!! I am keenly aware that each of our school representatives have invested a great deal of time and effort to fully comprehend the issues we must face – declining enrollment – quality public education and budget restrictions. I can honestly say that your neighbours have applied their considerable brain power and a great deal of heart in examining these complex and difficult issues. They are about to gather together to share their solutions. Let’s, first of all, understand the limitations of what it is this group of people can do. As I understand it, this Accomodation Review Committee has to determine which schools should close and how do we address the needs of all of our students and our communties. I also understand that Arc is very limited as to what happens afterwards.Should there be closure(s), we are only allowed to make recommendations as to the fate of the buildings, the sites and what happens to specialized programming? After we make our recommendations a report is issued on our work from the board and then the board votes on whether or not to implement any or all of our recommendations. Having said that there are Committee members who have traveled to neighbouring cities to see the results of various Accomodation Review Committees. Many of these solutions appear to have been implemented successfully to the benefit of students and their communities. At the public meeting to be held on January 21 ( see below for details) they will be presenting the options that have come forward and will be leading discussion groups comprised of attendees. No doubt there will be some lively debate, but only if we have fair representation from all stake holders. Therefore I urge you to tell your neighbours about these meetings. Please enlist the participation of local business owners and people who do not have school aged children at present. Changes to and /or closing schools has a profound effect on the surrounding neighbourhoods. We know we need to address tough issues but we need the help of community input – especially from Arlington, J.R. Wilcox and Rawlinson neighbourhoods. Translaters and Child care is A road trip… The Arlington Representative Kevin Ghiglione and I visited the highly acclaimed silver Leed certified jk – 8 public school, Thomas L. Wells P.S.. Photos available What we found…Built in one year, the school opened in 2006, using state of the art building materials and techniques, it is airy, bright and beautifully functional. One grade four boy described his experience at this school by saying, “I feel free here”. The upcoming meetings will be held Oakwood Collegiate Institute, 991 St. Clair Ave. West, in the auditorium from 7 -9pm · Thursday January 21 · Tuesday February 16· Thursday March 11· Final meeting is on Thursday April 1 I f you would like to send a comment, concern or query email to me at gahorticulture (at) bell (dot) net. This is written out without symbols to prevent a certain amount of monkey spam. Insert usual symbols without any spaces. Claire

Written by GardeningAngel · Filed Under Top Box

IMPORTANT COMMUNITY MEETING

December 6, 2009

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has begun Accommodation Review of many schools in downtown Toronto. In the area defined by Lauder Ave to the west, Eglinton Ave. to the north and St Clair to the south and Bathurst at the west boundary there are 5 community schools under review. There are approximately 56 schools in the TDSB currently involved in the review process.

Parent and community representatives, superintendents, principals and students who form the committe will review data from Arlington Middle School, Cedarvale Community School, Humewood Community School, JR Wilcox Community School and Rawlinson Community School and in the spring will report their recommendations to the Director of Education and the TDSB.

The review may result in a number of scenarios, including the closing of a school/schools, expansion of one or more schools, changing of grades offered, changing of school boundaries or moving programs into or out of a school. These changes will have a significant impact on our community, and possibly our property values.

It is important to understand exactly how the review works, who has a vote and how are recommendations formed and what happens next and attending this meeting will help you be informed and give you an opportunity to express your views.

The first public information meeting is on this Wednesday December 9, 2009 at Oakwood Collegiate Institute (991 St Clair Ave. West, in the auditorium 7-9pm).

Please make every effort to attend and please bring a neighbour with you.

Claire Rodger, Community Representative, ARC, SW3

Written by GardeningAngel · Filed Under Top Box

Photos from the 2008 Strawberries and Asparagus festival

June 16, 2008

There will be more of a wrap up of Saturday’s events shortly. In the meantime here are a few photos taken at the Strawberries and Asparagus Festival this weekend. If you missed out and haven’t heard you can read up about the event here at CedarvalePark.com or in the Globe and Mail.Check out the Photos Here

Written by admin · Filed Under Featured, Local Resources, Top Box

Strawberries and Asparagus June 14th, 2008

April 11, 2008

strawberries and Asparagus festival “Strawberries & Asparagus” is a community celebration of all things green. This festival in Toronto’s Cedarvale Park promotes public space, local and organic food, local sustainable business, nature appreciation, music, and fitness & health. Come along on June 14 from 11.00am to 5.00pm and enjoy:

healthy snacks and solar ice cream
free activities for children and adults
live music on our solar stage
a marketplace for green businesses and environmental organizations

This not-for-profit event is organized each year by EvolutionGreen.Com and human capital partner Green Neighbours 21, a grass-roots environmental group in Toronto’s Ward 21. There is also an Inorganic Market™ taking place – you can drop off used or broken electronic items for free recycling. Laptops, desktops, iPods, mp3 players, cell phones and more will be collected. Come out, meet the community, and enjoy the fun!

Read on to learn about the day’s CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES, ADULT AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES, INORGANIC MARKET, GREEN MARKETPLACE and to see a LOCATION MAP where the event will take place. If it’s raining, our rain date is Sunday June 15, 2008.