The Dig In Weblog

DIG IN initiates inclusive community and cultural plans and actions that will contribute to sustaining a neighbourhood that is GREEN • CLEAN • SAFE • CIVIL by fostering improvements in the areas of its social, environment, cultural, economic and physical make up. Please join our Mailing List / Yahoo Group.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Doors Open Davenport



   
JANE'S WALK 2013


DOORS OPEN DAVENPORT
Saturday, May 4th
Walk, talk and eat your way through transitioning west end neighbourhood…


Join us for the inaugural DOORS OPEN DAVENPORT! 

This urbanist’s delight offers you an opportunity to walk, cycle, learn, chat and share stories in the ever-evolving Bloordale/Junction Triangle. Explore current and former factories, churches, lumberyards and much more! Come out for the afternoon then stay for our Community Dinner at Campbell Park (www.campbellpark.ca).
 
1:00pm    Belarusian Orthodox Church, 524 St.Clarens Аvenue
1:45pm    Former General Electric Building & Water Tower, 224 Wallace Avenue      
2:30pm    Former Steam Plant (now Metropolis Factory), 50 Edwin Avenue
3:15pm    Lumber Yard… Boys & Girls Club… Division Gallery, 45 Ernest Avenue
4:15pm    Former Tower Automotive, 158 Sterling Avenue
    (former tallest building in the Commonwealth!)   

5:30pm    Campbell Park Community Dinner (Pay What You Can, Suggested $5)
     255 Campbell Avenue (north-south street west of Lansdowne, east of Dundas, north of Bloor and south of Dupont. 

This is a ‘hop on hop off’ free event. We will try to stick to schedule. All ages welcome.


Check us out on the official Jane's Walk website 
http://janeswalk.net/index.php/walks/canada/toronto/doors-open-davenport/

  

    


Tuesday, April 2, 2013

 
DIGIN Development Meeting
Wednesday 10 April 2013
7pm to 8:30pm
Wallace Emerson Community Centre, Ambrico Room 
(SW corner of Dufferin & Dupont)


This special Neighourhood Development Update will concentrate on the implications the emerging Industrial/Employment Lands issue is having on our community. 

This is a somewhat complicated issue with long-term implications for our neighbourhood and the city. The preservation of Industrial/Employment land is a guideline from the Province of Ontario's Planning Act. The Provincial guidelines are interpreted by the City of Toronto's Official Plan and Area Plans. These, in turn, guide re-zoning and development applications. The purpose is to create or maintain sustainable communities via good live/work mix, short commutes, high employment, etc.

At the Wednesday, April 10th DIG IN meeting, the recent 158 Sterling decision will used as a Case Study.  This is a property and an issue that many in the area are familiar with, so it is a good reference point. In this case, the developer applied for rezoning from Industrial to Mixed-Use, ie a mix of office, retail and residential use, and was turned down by the City. The decision is being appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board, which rules on land-use disputes. 

GUESTS
Key City of Toronto staff -- Sarah Phipps, Area Planner and Rebecca Condon of Economic Development -- will present an overview of the Employment Lands policy, which will help guide discussion. Ana Bailao, or one of her senior EAs will attend, and our MPP, Jonah Schein, will stop by. As well, a representative of Castlepoint, the developer, will be on hand to participate. Nestlé Canada, a local industrial employer, has been invited.

Everyone is welcome!



Monday, April 1, 2013

What is the city doing to our parks? 

Take two minutes to watch the slide show and find out what is happening and how you can help.



Dear park friends,

Here is a colourful "prezi" picture-show update about Dufferin Grove Park:
http://publiccommons.ca/library/widgets/9074?instanceid=22385&path=8353-,754-19349,8524-22384&perpage=30
 
We were unable to get Councillor Bailao's support for a conservancy, and so the unmaking of the Dufferin Grove commons has continued. The details may look familiar to many of you from situations that reach far beyond parks and public space. The range of possible responses is interesting.

As you will see from the prezi, I'm hoping for your help:
1. to send this link on to friends
2. to join us in the "citizen science" of researching the commons, what's left of it and/or
3. to donate to CELOS so we can make more "prezi's" documenting what works and what doesn't. We'll give you a charitable receipt for any amount over $10. 

Jutta Mason