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).

Show us the plans, Councillor Giambrone!

We've been working hard to try and get some site plans for the new parking lot. We have talked with the president of the Toronto Parking Authority, who pretends to know something but truly doesn't know anything.

Our concerns about the parking lot are numerous. We have been asking the TPA president about the flow of cars, and when he answers us it is clear that there are no clear plans that he is aware of. This is discouraging... there are plenty of hidden angles and children walking around in Dragon Alley. It is already scary to walk down there because you never know if cars will see you when they're turning off of Dufferin. A poorly planned parking lot will just make things more frightful.

We have received the following email today from the mayor's office. Let's see the plans Giambrone!!

Thank you for writing. We have spoken with Councillor Giambrone's office and ascertained that they have a copy of the site plan which they are more than willing to share with you. As you know, the land is owned by and construction co-ordinated by, the Parking Authority of Toronto, the Mayor does not have plans for the lot.

Please contact Councillor Giambrone's office to arrange a meeting and view the site plan.

Thanks again for writing,

Chris Phibbs, Senior Advisor

Office of Mayor David Miller

100 Queen Street West

Toronto, M5H 2N2

p: 416 338 7106

e: cphibbs@toronto.ca

Davenport Councillor Adam Giambrone supports controversial new parking lot

Photo by Jackson Couse

Residents of the College and Dufferin community in Little Portugal are glad that the City of Toronto has finally agreed to consult with them before any more work moves forward to build a parking lot in their backyards.

The Toronto Parking Authority plans to run the lot, and is supported by Davenport and local area counsellor Adam Giambrone. His support of the issue has troubled local residents, who wonder why the chair of the Toronto Transit Commission has sanctioned a multi-million dollar conversion of the site into paid parking.

Many community members are troubled about the development of the lot into paid parking because they were not consulted. Local artist Moira Bayne explains, “When people wanted to build back porches on the street behind that laneway, letters went to residents whose apartment backed onto that. We were surprised and dismayed to hear that a parking lot was going to built when no one had consulted us.”

A City of Toronto staff report dated October 25, 2007, states that the parking lot is needed for “short-term parking.” The report says that the 34 spaces will “accommodate the high demand for parking in the area.”

Local residents have taken stock of how much street parking there is at different times of the day. They have debated how the space may be used, and haven’t been in agreement that the local community needs it. Local people point out that the Dufferin Mall, with its wealth of free parking, could be used by those with cars. Attempts to get a response from their councillor have resulted in the following.

The City of Toronto says that it did a feasibility assessment. Alex Shevchuk, acting supervisor at the Parks, Forestry & Recreation Division, states that his department doesn’t support a “parkette” at this location “primarily because of its hidden location behind the buildings on all surrounding streets: College Street, Lindsey Avenue, Dufferin Street and Sheridan Avenue. “

Shevchuk continues, “Good frontage on a city street with good views to the surrounding area to promote surveillance and ‘eyes on the park’ as well as comfortable access to the surrounding neighbourhood are key criteria for siting parks within our parks system.”

Local residents discuss how the parking lot used to house the racing horses at Dufferin Grove Racing Track. Today, the strip directly north of the vacant lot is a collection of apartment dwellers. Many are low-income, have multiple children, and are from diverse and multi-lingual backgrounds. Many residents in the area ride bikes, walk, and take public transit. Children of various ages can be found in the back lane looking for a space to play—until construction crews recently fenced off the area, they often used the vacant space for organizing after-school sports.

“It’s a meeting place where people help each other out; the kids all play with each other; there’s lots of parents watching the kids. The fact that it is a safe place to be helps neighbours help each other. It let’s us work as a community where there’s a network of people to watch each other’s children,” says Bayne.

Some residents feel confused as to how city politicians believe that a parking lot is safer than a park. At least 40 apartments face the vacant lot, filled with a large group of parents who are watching out the windows for their children.

Two buildings at 9 Bonar Place were demolished on Tuesday, November 11th. Construction crews continue to make progress in their effort to build a parking lot by next spring.

Local residents and the media are invited to take part in a community meeting on December 16th at 6:30pm. Feel free to email Adam Giambrone to tell him you'll be there, as a location has not yet been set as we try to figure out how many people want to be heard on this issue. Participants are encouraged to support Adam Giambrone’s TTC by taking the street car or bus to the meeting, or walk/ride your bike.