With a long-term development boom still in full swing, Toronto continues to experience population growth pressures along with the high-rise construction. As a consequence, improving—and maintaining—parks and public facilities is crucial to the city's livability and socio-economic health. Promoting a renewed emphasis on community interaction and participation, the City of Toronto is inviting residents to provide input re: improving opportunities for activity in existing facilities, and re-thinking the permit process for new parks and recreational facilities.
Cherry Blossoms at High Park, image by Jason Cook via Flickr
This month, the City will be hosting public meetings in 14 locations in hopes of gathering input to help guide three significant projects. The Parks and Recreational Facilities Master Plan will prioritize investments to build new facilities, and renovate existing ones. The City of Toronto Sports Plan aims to encourage greater participation in sport programs, while connecting sport organizations to promote awareness for active living. Lastly, the Permit Process Review proposes to ameliorate business processes for parks and recreational facility permits, resulting in enhanced customer service.
The City of Toronto encourages residents to engage at public meetings throughout the month of November at the following locations:
Scarborough
• Saturday, November 5, 9 AM to Noon, Centennial Recreation Centre, 1967 Ellesmere Rd.
• Saturday, November 12, 9 AM to Noon, Malvern Recreation Centre, 30 Sewells Rd.
• Wednesday, November 30, 5 to 8 PM, Don Montgomery Community Recreation Centre, 2467 Eglinton Ave. E.
North York
• Sunday, November 6, noon to 3 PM, Driftwood Community Recreation Centre, 4401 Jane St.
• Wednesday, November 9, 4 to 7 PM, Dennis R. Timbrell Resource Centre, 29 St. Dennis Dr.
• Saturday, November 26, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, Parkway Forest Community Centre, 55 Forest Manor Rd.
Toronto East York
• Monday, November 7, 4 to 7 PM, Regent Park Community Centre, 402 Shuter St.
• Tuesday, November 15, 9 AM to Noon, Wallace Emerson Community Centre, 1260 Dufferin St.
• Sunday, November 20, 1 to 4 PM, Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at the foot of Bay St. at Queens Quay
• Tuesday, November 22, 5 to 8 PM, East York Community Centre, 1081½ Pape Ave.
Etobicoke York
• Tuesday, November 8, 8:30 to 11:30 AM, Memorial Pool and Health Club, 44 Montgomery Rd.
• Sunday, November 13 (weather permitting), 11 AM to 2 PM in High Park (near Grenadier Restaurant), 1873 Bloor St. W.
• Wednesday, November 16, 2 to 5 PM, North Kipling Community Centre, 2 Rowntree Rd.
• Sunday, November 20, 9 AM to Noon, Amesbury Community Centre, 1507 Lawrence Ave. W.
Additional information is available via the City of Toronto's website.