Parents know that streets are indeed for people

Last night we attended a meeting with local parents who are working to develop an awesome new learning place for children called The Grove School.

This alternative school will have social justice and environmentalism as it's focus (along with academic excellence), and there is no school like this here in Toronto. It's encouraging to be a part of this work and it's great to have the support of other parents who want their children to grow up thinking about and experiencing the things that are the most important (ie; nature and community).

The Grove School will be a neighbour to the new parking lot. The parents at the meeting discussed the recent outcry against the proposed parking lot at the Matador (at College and Dovercourt). It was funny how the Toronto Parking Authority and Adam Giambrone would discuss the issue... there was some "blame" on the West End YMCA, another important community hub. The "blame" was that the YMCA was responsible for urging the creation of a new parking lot. The YMCA responded by explaining that it encourages its members to walk, ride bikes, and take public transit to their facilities--they had NEVER asked for a parking lot! The community rallied together and the parking lot never became a reality. The legendary Matador still stands!

It's winter now and the Matador parking lot is a distant memory to some. The winter blues tend to set in for a lot of people during this time. It's cold out there, and there's not a lot of sunshine. Many of us live in cramped apartments and dream of sunnier shores. There are not many people in the alley now. Where are all the people? Are they coming to the meeting? Do they care?

Sure, they do care, but they feel defeated. This lack of consultation and common sense about this space has got mixed up with never ending rhetoric that we hear each time we contact someone different from the City of Toronto. There are also language barriers. Whenever people have low English literacy (and this is our major working language here), they become discouraged and disempowered. Some don't want to say anything because they're afraid it will all come out the wrong way.

All those people in their apartments--put a big red circle on your calendar for Tuesday, December 16th. Adam Giambrone's office still has not set a location, so let's hear if you're attending so we know if we need a large space. AND in the good news, Adam's office is making site plans available. Go down to his office and check them out:


1232 College St. W. (at Margueretta)

Office hours:
Monday: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
(Other times are available by appointment)

Stay tuned. We're planning a community party in the parking lot to remind you that the streets are for people (and fun).

One email from Adam Giambrone dated November 25

Photo taken on December 3, 2008, by Jackson Couse

Thank you for your email pertaining to the parking lot being constructed south of Bonar Place between Sheridan Avenue and Dufferin Street.

Residents originally came to me seeking a green space at the above location. After investigation from the Acting Supervisor for Area Landscape and Planning Initiatives it was found that converting this area into a park space was not supported because of its hidden location behind buildings.

The Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) has been working with local small business organizations to find locations for off-street parking that will help to keep them competitive with other, larger corporate retailers nearby. For many years these community businesses on College Street have requested nearby accessible parking to serve their needs. The Dufferin Mall parking lot is private property that is not available to the businesses on College for customer parking. Even if it were, it would not serve College Street , being too far away from them, and too close to their competitors.

I have received complaints over the years about the lack of maintenance on this site in question, as well as unwanted activities. Experience has shown that having a well maintained area helps to deter such activity. The TPA will maintain and supervise the site, something that isn't currently happening.

I am not sure that we will necessarily agree completely on this matter, but I do hope you will feel free to continue to approach me for assistance and consideration in the future.

Sincerely,

Adam Giambrone

Toronto City Councillor

Ward 18,

Davenport

Chair, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
http://www.adamgiambrone.ca/

Dragon Alley

Drawing by Moira Bayne

Save Dragon Alley!

Councillor Giambrone: Let's work together. NO PAVEMENT TIL WE TALK!

College and Dufferin. It's not a glamourous neighbourhood. It's not a rich neighbourhood. But its where we live. We raise our children here. Work. Play. Rest. We're bordered by busy streets. Buses full of people pass every 10 minutes. Streetcars shuttle by. Cars zoom, idle, stop, start.

There's no real human-scale meeting place in front of our homes. We're right on College Street. The laneway behind our houses is where children have space to play with their friends, ride bikes, chat with neighbours, where adults can talk together with a little quiet from the noise busy-ness of the streets around.

The City of Toronto wants to fill our laneway with pavement and cars. So far the City has ripped out an established tree (planted by the great-grandfather of 7-year-old who lives here) and dug up decades-old shrubs and plants. The new parking lot will hold over 30 cars in a small space where children have played for over 50 years.

We don't need more pavement and concrete in this neighbourhood. This is excellent earth for growing. It gets full sunshine in the summer.You've done a lot of damage in the last three weeks: Ignored residents, ripped up established trees and shrubs, smashed up an old barn, dug up the earth. Let's generate a local solution for people and parking .... together.

Come and voice your ideas about a new, multi-million dollar parking lot that is being built at 9 Bonar Place (one block north of College at Dufferin). Local councillor and supporter of the parking lot project, Adam Giambrone (ironically, the Chair of the TTC Commission and supposed supporter of a green city) has finally agreed to meet with all local residents for those living in the Davenport neighbourhood of College and Dufferin streets on December 16th.

Local residents have been trying to get a meeting with him for many weeks, while the Toronto Parking Authority promised there would be no work done on the site until spring. Cement trucks have been spotted and everything on the lot has been demolished. Come and help shape your vision of the future for the College and Dufferin community.

When: December 16, 2008 starting at 6:30pm
Where: Location to be announced shortly.
Why: Tell your city councillor if you think a parking lot is good for your community.

Contact: If you like more information, contact Moira Bayne by email at info@huntinghawkcommunications.com.

**Keep checking back because we'll be adding updates daily. Feel free to send any messages to us and we will post them for everyone to read as well.***