LeasideLife issue 17 draft 3_LeasideLifev1 13-04-19 9:37 PM Page 1
No. 17 • May 2013
Leaside Life •
1913-2013
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CARTOON FACE BY INGRID RICE
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RioCan considering changing Laird plaza Councillor John Parker says RioCan is looking at the possibility of changing its development at Eglinton and Laird, where the Canada Tire store is now. That will depend on the results of a 2013-2014 city review of the Official Plan, which will consider the effect of the Eglinton LRT. The construction of the LRT has already brought forward a proposal by Diamond Corporation for a huge office-condo development at Eglinton and Brentcliffe. Parker said the province and city have a common view for Eglinton of mid-range development of four- to six-storey buildings. I
ONE OF THESE peewee minor bantam hockey players is our Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, in this photo of the Leaside Lions team in the early 1970s. To find him, see Page 6. At left in the middle row is manager Tom Poole, at right coach Chuck Thornton, both past presidents of the Lions.
Last chance to get back the Leaside Lions club Unfortunately, the best days of local service clubs appear to be behind us. But from the 1940s into the 1980s the Leaside Lions Club was a major force in our community, with nearly 200 members at one time. It was organized in 1938 by then Leaside Mayor Howard Talbot with the help, among others, of town solicitor Stan Schatz, later the Honourable Mr. Justice Schatz of the Supreme Court of Ontario. In 1938 Leaside had only 3,000 residents, one school, muddy streets, very few side-
Alan Redway Former East York mayor and federal cabinet minister
walks and no organized recreational activities for kids. The next year the Lions opened the town’s first playground at MillLAST CHANCE, Page 6
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Redway is upset by the SmartCentre deal
Leaside Life, May 2013
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There were only two Leaside speakers at the North York Community Council meeting April 9, one announcing that Leaside Property Owners’ Association and Leaside Unite had dropped their opposition to the SmartCentre North development, the other upset about it. LPOA and LU had reached an agreement with SmartCentres shortly before the meeting, LPOA vice-president Carol Burtin Fripp announced. Alan Redway, a former Leaside councillor, East York mayor and federal cabinet minister, said, “While the associations have agreed to a settlement, I haven’t.� He called the proposed retail complex at Laird and Wicksteed another threat to Leaside’s proud industrial past. Approve more such development, he said, and the remaining industry will leave, taking its taxes and jobs with it. Just say no, he urged. The two local associations said they had achieved the best result pos-
sible without the help of Councillor John Parker (see Page 3). “We feel this is a good settlement,� said Fripp. A big concern of the community has been the 80,000 square foot size of the anchor tenant because it is expected to be Walmart. The LU and LPOA wanted that space reduced to 60,000 square feet. Parker says he had discussed the reduction with his fellow community council members and was told unless there was a serious flaw with the proposal studies, they would approve the 80,000 square feet. He says city staff told him the Ontario Municipal Board was almost certain to approve the 80,000 square feet. In a message to his e-News subscribers he wrote: “I considered going through the charade of bringing a motion for 60,000 sq ft anyway, but decided, no, let's all be grownups about this and face facts.� A decision on the development now goes to Toronto city council. I
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LeasideLife issue 17 draft 3_LeasideLifev1 13-04-19 9:37 PM Page 3
$110,000 was the best LU-LPOA could do Over the past year and a half, Leasiders have stated – very clearly – your concerns about the proposed SmartCentre North development. You were worried about increased traffic and congested roads, about the potential loss of employment lands, about more “big box” retail development along Laird, and you were generally unhappy about the harmful effects of excessive retail development on Leaside’s character. We heard you, and over the following months, LPOA and LU (which became part of LPOA) raised funds and hired legal, traffic, and retail experts to advise us on whether we had grounds to oppose the SmartCentre North development, and if not, what we could do to better protect the neighbourhood. We held numerous discussions with our consultants, and we did a lot of research. We combed through the reports of the developer’s con-
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Carol Burtin Fripp
Leaside Unite
Vice-president, LPOA
sultants, raising questions and getting answers, not all of which were satisfactory. We had two meetings with city staff and Councillor Parker. In the end, it became clear that we had two basic options: either oppose the development and go to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), or settle with SmartCentres and try to get as many concessions as possible. Both options are discussed in further detail below. In terms of the first option, our consultants advised us that we would likely not succeed before the OMB because (i) the city’s Official Plan supported this kind of retail development, (ii) the city staff had issued a report in favour of the development
without any reduction in density, (iii) we would not have any legal or financial support from the city; and (iv) the cost of mounting a meaningful challenge before the OMB would be at least $125,000 (for legal fees and disbursements, including conducting our own traffic study). We were also told that success before the OMB would mean that the square footage for the main anchor tenant might be decreased to as low as 60,000 square feet, so, there was effectively no chance of precluding a “big box” retailer from locating in the development. Finally, to have any chance of ob$110,000, Page 8
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Partly, they say, because they didn't have the support of Parker
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Post office site developer has gone to the OMB
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The developer of the old post office site at 2 Laird has gone to the Ontario Municipal Board after handing in revised plans that make little difference to the original plans opposed by residents and Councillor John Parker. The Leaside Property Owners’ Association and Parker still oppose the plans for the condominium development, they say. There is no change from the original seven storeys. There is a small reduction from 98 units and 85,800 square feet to 79,400 square feet and 78 units, done by creating larger units. The building drawings show at least two storeys above the seven for residences. The LPOA has since met with Parker and expressed frustration. POST OFFICE, Page 5
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Post office From Page 4
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Leaside Life, May 2013
Parker said he would arrange another meeting with city staff, local residents and the LPOA. “The 0.5 acre site is bounded by Malcolm/Millwood/Krawchuk Lane,â€? LPOA president Brian Athey says. “The neighbouring context consists of single family homes on Malcolm and three-storey townhomes on Krawchuk. “The community has been outspoken in opposition to the egregious massing, height and density of the proposal. Particular concerns have been articulated as follows: • This is not a mid-rise condo site; rather it is located in a single family, townhouse neighbourhood. • A townhouse proposal is appropriate and should be submitted. • There is no consideration of transition to adjacent homes. • The density, height and massing is excessive for the property. • Vertical walls abut adjacent properties with minimal setback. • Balconies overlook single family and townhouse neighbours. • The size and design is inappropriate for such an important gateway entrance to Leaside.â€? I
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wood Park, not only providing the equipment but also paying for the supervisors to run the playground. The first summer supervisor was Bert Keene a teacher, later the principal of Bessborough school. Millwood Park was renamed for Mayor Trace Manes, another prominent Lion. The arch at the south east corner of the park was erected by the Lions Club as a memorial to him. In 1941 the first peewee hockey game ever played in Canada pitted a Leaside Lions’ team against one from Etobicoke. The following year the Lions organized a boys’ hockey school and house league that played on outdoor natural ice at Millwood Park. Later, of course, the Lions and the Leaside Rotary Club initiated the efforts to raise the funds to build an artificial ice rink, the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens. The original kitchens and later the tennis courts at both Rolph Road and Northlea schools were donated by the Lions. Before the Leaside Gardens pool was built the first swim classes for Leaside kids were organized and paid for by the club, bussing grade 5 students to the pool at the Glenview Terrace Apartments (now condominiums) on Yonge south of Lawrence. Between 1941 and 1963 the Leaside Lions boys marching band and girls majorette corps achieved a national and international reputation winning Canadian championships, preforming in the Grey Cup and Santa Claus parades in
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Toronto, as well as parades in Atlantic City and New York City. In the mid 1960s the Leaside Lions majorettes won the US open majorette corps competition. During those years the club sponsored hockey teams at the Gardens, baseball teams at Talbot Park, the 131st Cub and Scout group, an air cadet squadron and the Sateen Club. Initiated as a weekend dance for teenagers, the Sateen drew kids from all over the city. After a live band replaced the record player and the site was moved from Rolph Road school to Leaside High Sateen grew to almost 1,000 members. Community spirit develops and grows in many ways, but Leaside old timers will agree that the Lions’ annual carnival held every June between 1940 and 1961 at Trace Manes Park was instrumental in developing our great community spirit. First organized as a fun and sports day for the kids, it grew into a professional week-long operation with 25 booths, food, games of chance, a rummage
sale, a dog show, a car raffle plus five or six rides. One year there were two Ferris wheels. The carnival always opened with a parade led by the Lions marching band and majorettes followed by Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, Girl Guides and numerous floats. It proceeded west along Eglinton, south on Bayview, then along McRae to the park. Long time Leasiders will also recall the musicals staged by the club as fundraisers, such as Take it Easy, Button Busters and the Wizard of Oz. These were all written, produced, directed and performed by club members. In the beginning they were performed in the auditorium of a local school but as their popularity grew the productions moved to the Bayview Theatre (now Shoppers Drug Mart) and then during their last five years for a week-long run downtown at the Royal Alex . In 1944 the club held a giant raffle. The first prize was the house at LAST CHANCE, Page 7
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Spring into Action fun day moves to Sunnybrook Park
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From Page 6
172 Donlea. Earlier, 107 Bessborough had been the first prize in a raffle held by the Toronto Kiwanis Club. Later, a house on Richlea Circle was raffled by the Town of Leaside to help pay for the construction of the Leaside Gardens.
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Over the past seven years $25,000 has been raised for the Canadian Diabetes Association and food donated to the Flemingdon Food Bank. Tickets are available through InsideOut for a post marathon barbeque. The highlight of the evening is a performance by local pop-rock band The Garden. Until April 30 registration is $25 and includes all events. Registration is $35 from May 1. For tickets, pledge sheets and more information go to: insideoutstudio.ca/events I
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the club by Mayor Howard Talbot. The Leaside Lions Club still exists but because of changing life styles, for years now, it has been difficult to recruit new members from Leaside. Just ask the Leaside Rotary Club. A number of years ago the Leaside Lions twinned with the Central Demerara Lions Club in Guyana. Today the membership of the Leaside Lions is made up largely of Canadians of Guyanese origin or descent, many of whom are former members of the Central Demerara Club, living mainly in the west end of the GTA where they now meet. Next year the Lions International Convention will be held in Toronto. Thousands of Lions from all over the world will be here. Before that happens, Leaside resident and past Lions Governor Raija Rosenthal wants to bring the Leaside Lions back home. She is looking for a young man or woman who believes in the Lions’ motto We Serve to reactivate the Leaside Lions here in our community. (If you are interested, please contact Bill Allison, 905-827-7219, board6chair@yahoo.ca.) Alas, unless that happens the Leaside Rotary Club’s Community Corn Roast appears to be the sole survivor of the great events undertaken by the several Leaside service clubs in years gone by. But the community spirit generated during those years is still with us and hopefully will last forever. I
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Leaside Life, May 2013
For the first time in its eight-year history the InsideOut Studio diabetes run, Spring into Action, with day-long events for the whole family, will be held in Sunnybrook Park, with the Sunnybrook Foundation as a new sponsor. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, with yoga wake up and a group warm up. The main event is a two-, five- or 10-kilometre marathon. Participants can bike, run or walk. There will also be yoga for kids, a three-legged race and a 100-yard youth dash honouring the Leaside 100 centennial.
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Leaside Life, May 2013
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taining even a decrease to 60,000 square feet, we would require the support of Councillor Parker. During two meetings with him, he refused to agree to vote against the current proposal. Faced with all these difficulties, there was in our view no reasonable option other than try to settle with SmartCentres. While SmartCentres were always polite and respectful in our discussions, it was apparent from the start that SmartCentres was not prepared to agree to any decrease in the size of the anchor tenant or to exclude any specific tenant. Accordingly, our focus shifted to trying to reach a settlement that provided for funding measures which would answer at least some of Leasiders’ concerns, and which would help protect the residential neighbourhood from the negative impact of the many large retail outlets on Laird. The settlement reached on April 9 will allow LPOA to embark on measures that will benefit both the areas closest to the proposed development and the community as a whole. In particular, it provides LPOA with $110,000 in funding, which should be sufficient to: • hire our own experts to address flowthrough traffic problems with a proper traffic study • initiate heritage conservation efforts • assist the Bayview shopping district through a new and much needed BIA, and • pay some of the consultant fees incurred to date (approximately $10,000). This funding is to be spent in LPOA’s discretion. The settlement also notes the community’s safety concerns regarding underground parking, and everyone’s desire for good landscaping and increased bicycle use. SmartCentres has agreed to involve LPOA in the planning and site design. LPOA and LU believe that a reasonable settlement was achieved, having regard to the difficulties posed by the Official Plan, and the unwillingness of Councillor Parker to offer more support. We look forward to working with Leasiders in implementing these improvements within our neighbourhood. I
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In our Hood
RYAN Munn and his poster. Foundation Garage Sale takes place at the Royal LePage parking lot at 1391 Bayview, to support shelters for women across the country. Anyone with donations of used clothing, toys, books and china can get in touch with local organizers at (416) 4244900. The sale also accepts furniture, thanks to the participation of AMJ Campbell Moving. And many thanks to the folks at 921 Millwood for hosting a community lunch in March, with proceeds toward various outreach programs. Welcome Canada Post. There’s a new tenant in Leaside’s Business
Leaside Life, May 2013
Mayfair Plus. Each year there are lots of outdoor and indoor activities at Bessborough Public School Annual Mayfair, May 25, 11-3 (rain or shine), with fun for the whole family: bouncy castles, a petting zoo, face painting, guessing jars, etc. Older kids will want to check out the dunk tank and photo booth, adults take note of the silent auction, social event series, BBQ and pub night. Big shout out to the winner of this year’s Mayfair poster contest, Ryan Munn. Ryan’s a grade 5 student who created a colourful poster highlighting one of the best parts of Mayfair —"all day recess"! Singing for Pandas. Congratulations to the Northlea Choir who participated enthusiastically in the Panda Greeting Contest. Although the choristers didn’t win the honour of singing O Canada at the Panda Arrival Ceremony (and those pandas were so looking forward to it), the kids amassed several hundreds of online votes. Community gives back. On Saturday, May 11, the annual Shelter
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Park. The Wabash site that’s been vacant on Wicksteed almost 10 years is going to be the home of Canada Post’s new distribution centre, an amalgamation of three former sites 9 including the one on Yonge St. just north of Eglinton. Get that green thumb ready. Ask any gardener, the best way to grow plants that thrive is to find out what works best in your neighbour’s yard. The Leaside Garden Society holds its annual plant sale May 11, 9-noon at Trace Manes, offering a fascinating “you know it will grow in Leaside� array of perennials, including member donations. The sale is also your first opportunity to get tickets to the annual Magical Gardens of Leaside Tour this June 22. Speaking of growing. The annual Compost Day from the City of Toronto takes place May 11 starting at 9 a.m. Because of construction at the arena, Councillor Parker is holding the event in the parking area at the end of Leaside Park Drive near the Thorncliffe Tennis Club. Bring your own shovel and container! Seven new benches have been installed in time for spring on Bayview between Millwood and Parkhurst so shoppers and those out for a stroll can rest and take in the sights; trees. apparently, to follow. I
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The 132nd Toronto Scout Group, at Leaside Presbyterian Church, is selling garden products, including birch trees, to help send 12 Scouts and four leaders to the Canadian Jamboree in Alberta in July, as well as “providing financial support for a couple of deserving youth”. There’s a suggested donation of $50 that buys a minimum four-foot native white birch, delivery and planting. There will also be a garage sale. For information: Shauna Davies, 416-201-1941, shaunaLdavies@gmail.com. ----Leaside will be well-stocked for booze when the new LCBO supersized store, with a beer cold room, a large Vintages area and a tasting bar opens in the SmartCentre about mid September. It will be 12,843 square feet, about 80 percent larger than the current store beside Sobeys, but not close to the big one on Yonge at Summerhill. Within a short walking or driving distance there are now wine stores at Loblaws Redway, Longo’s at Leaside Village and Metro at Bayview and Eglinton. There are beer stores at Leaside Village and at Bayview and Eglinton. And there is now the new small LCBO store on Bayview at Millwood. Meanwhile some convenience stores have petitions customers can sign asking that beer be sold there. ----After a successful first year, the Leaside Gold Tigers 2001 boys soccer team is looking for a local field for practices – and dangling the possibility of winning a $125,000 donation for renovation.Team manager John Crane has entered the Gold Tigers in a Bank of Montreal contest. Go to www.bmosoccer.com/en/team?t=10 37 to nominate the team until July 12.Interested sponsors are asked to contact Crane at 647-537-7557 or jcrane@bakerandbakerlaw.com. ----The federal government has earmarked $822,000 to repair the pedestrian bridge over Bayview Ave. at the CNIB. ----Leaside High School teacher Wayne Crooks, 37, has been charged with sexual assault of a female student in February. The school is cooperating with police. Crooks has been suspended and he is to appear in court May 27. I
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Leaside Life, May 2013
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We can expect a seniors housing problem Leaside Life, May 2013
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My parents are 79 and 81. Recently they've been going through some issues attributable to age and cancer. While they currently live in Brampton, our family spent more than 20 years in a house around the corner from Edwards Gardens, not too far from where I now live in Leaside. The process of dealing with my own parents' failing health got me thinking about the 2,700 or so people, 65 or older, living in Leaside. Do they have adequate resources? Where will they go if they can no longer look after themselves? Can they stay in the neighbourhood or do they have to look elsewhere? Countless questions that I'm answering for my own family must be on the minds of other grown adults, living in Leaside with parents elsewhere or living elsewhere with parents in Leaside: Basically, how do you make things as comfortable as possible? According to Statistics Canada, 92 percent of Canada's seniors currently live at home. While I have no empirical evidence, I suspect the number is even higher in Leaside. If we assume it’s 95 percent in Leaside, that would
Will Ashworth The business of Leaside mean approximately 135 people are in a facility of some description, whether it be the assisted-living retirement residence at 921 Millwood with 56 beds (which does provide long-term and palliative care for residents wishing to stay) or Suomi-Koti at Eglinton and Laird, which accommodates approximately 140 people in 88 assisted-living suites on six floors, as well as 34 long-term care beds on the seventh floor. Suomi-Koti is operated by the Toronto Finnish-Canadian Seniors Centre and one must apply to its board to be approved for residence. Most people currently living at SuomiKoti are either Finnish or Estonian. So unless seniors in the area are prepared to learn Finnish, Leasiders likely have just one choice in the neighbourhood, meaning some longtime residents will have to look outside the area to find accommodation.
Facilities exist over in Thorncliffe (Revera), on Mt. Pleasant Rd. (Briton House), Davisville Ave. (Salvation Army) and Yonge/Eglinton (Dunfield Club), but other than the two mentioned previously, nothing is immediately available in Leaside. Vicky Harris, the director of care for 921 Millwood, and Martha Russell, owner of Integracare, a provider of inhome and in-facility private health care services, both have extensive experience in the health care industry, and both feel the needs of seniors in Leaside are being met at present. However, the reality is that there is a shortage of long-term care beds province-wide. With the seniors population in Ontario expected to double to 4.2 million by 2036, the system is overburdened and getting worse. Leaside, while coping today, will likely face serious challenges beginning in 2021, as the first of the baby boomers hit 75 years of age. So, what does that mean for Leaside? Currently, there are approximately 4,205 people in Leaside beSENIORS, Page 14
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Seniors From Page 12
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Leaside Life, May 2013
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tween the ages of 50 and 69. About 90 percent will turn 75 between 2021 and 2036. While government projections expect the seniors population boom to ebb by 2036, it's vital that the development we are currently experiencing in Leaside incorporate seniors housing. Having more assisted-living and long-term care options right in Leaside (the closer to Bayview the better) is the best way to ensure Leasiders remain in the area. I'm currently exploring all options with my parents. I know that if they can swing it, they would rather live in an apartment paying for in-home care several times a week. Independence is something most of us take for granted until one day it's suddenly gone. In the coming years it's vital that all of us in Leaside, especially those in our prime working years, consider the type of seniors housing we'd like to see built in the community. After all, if we don't start now, we'll end up playing catch up just like we have with our transit system. And we all know how that's turned out. I Councillor
John
ENJOYED
Parker WARD 26 ¡ DON VALLEY WEST
Leaside100
councillor_parker@toronto.ca Toronto City Hall 100 Queen Street West, Suite A16 Toronto ON M5H 2N2 www.johnparker.ca
LeasideLife issue 17 draft 3_LeasideLifev1 13-04-19 9:38 PM Page 15
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We have become great prom dress collectors
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Leaside came up big once again on prom dresses. We collected more than 150 dresses for Flemingdon’s New Circles to help students who can’t afford fancy dress to attend their school prom. Last year 1,300 students went to the ‘Prom Shop’ on Gateway Blvd. Several Leaside churches and schools took part in the drive this year. One big part of it was Patrick Rocca’s daughter, Alexa, a grade 9 student. As a well-known local realtor, Patrick Rocca is always getting requests for funding for local causes. Last year, he wrote a cheque. This year, Alexa said that she wanted to get involved. She decided to have a drive among her friends and other young people, and with her brother Christian, in grade 11, she posted on Facebook, postered the neighbourhood, including local businesses, and knocked on doors. In five weeks she collected 150 items, all clean and gently-used. She got dresses, shoes, costume jewellery, purses and items for the
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ALEXA and Christian Rocca guys too. She is also volunteering to be part of the dress crew at New Circles in Flemingdon when the young students come to make their selection. If you didn’t hear about this drive this year, but have something appropriate to donate – save it for next year. Alexa says she’ll be back. I
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Celebrating the start of our Scout troop
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Chris Case, who has been involved in Scouting for the past 10 years, says that he would never have believed that he would be sleeping in a tent when the temperature was -20, or eating oatmeal for three meals a day on occasion at camp – and enjoying it! He’s not the only one. There were close to 100 of them at St. Cuthbert’s Church early last month for a reunion party to celebrate the fact that a bit over 90 years ago, on March 2, 1923, Charles Chambers, Donald Young and William Clewes met at the same church to sign an application for troop charter to start a new Scout troop – No. 69, in Toronto. In 2013 there are more than 80 young people, boys and now girls too, who are Beavers, Cubs and Scouts connected to the 69th along with their leaders. I
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The Big Adventure on the way to school Leaside Life, May 2013
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18 As a mature toddler I attended Wendy House nursery school. It was held in the beautiful old house at 201 Sutherland Dr., the former home of a grandson of Leaside founder John Lea. Wendy House opened in 1939 and ran at least until 1965 when my sister attended. The owner of the school was Ms. Procunier, known to us as Proie. We spent our days in spacious rooms with tiled fireplaces, large windows and glorious hardwood floors. Each day we played in the backyard, had naps on rugs and sang while Proie played the piano. I met my first boyfriend there, George. We lived the humdrum existence of average four-year-olds until the day of the Big Adventure. Each day we were driven to school in a limousine. The vehicle was exciting: it had jump seats! One snowy morning we waited as the driver had to carry a girl with a broken leg to the car. He parked on the north side of Millwood (at Donegall) and crossed to the south. The
Karen Fraser Memories of Old Leaside
mother opened the door and handed her daughter to him and then he turned towards us. His facial expression froze and he started running. Then he ran back, thrust the girl at her mom and bolted towards us. Our huge car was picking up speed as it rolled backwards down Millwood. The more immature in our group were laughing and waving at him. I have a clear memory of his face through the window as he frantically pulled on the car door. As an older child I returned to Wendy House after school to take piano lessons from Proie. I enjoyed waiting my turn in the “back parlour” at winter sunset. I did not enjoy the lessons.
The student ahead of me was a piano prodigy. Her name was Donna Ko. Many will remember her parent’s elegant gift store in Sunnybrook Plaza. The house was filled with glorious sound for an hour; then it was my turn. Proie would be floating on a cloud of teaching pride that swiftly crashed to earth as I attacked the instrument. Each week she would write pages of notes to guide my practice at home. I never had the courage to tell her that I could not read her handwriting. In later years the prodigy got a PhD in music. I did not. The real memory of Wendy House was Proie. I grew up in a house that was all about serious. Proie gave me a love of whimsy by making me small terrariums, fireplace logs that burned in different colours and beautifully decorated cookies. The Wendy House experience gave me a love of old houses, brief naps, kindness and a horror of lukewarm milk. I
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BECKY WHITE: Dog walker and magic maker
How magic happened here for Mexican dogs Leaside dog walker Becky White, who started a dog blog last year and is now read in 28 countries, recently asked neighbours to help find dog collars for an organization called Pattison K9 Rescue Team. She had four business days, she said, to get the collars to someone from the team on the way to Mexico. Here is the story of what happened from her blog, dogstwentyfourseven.wordpress.com. By BECKY WHITE I shared my desire to collect both new and gently used collars on Facebook, Twitter and by word of mouth. I mentioned my cause to the families whose dogs I walk, friends with dogs, and to my dog walker community. I even told people I know at the dog park of my little venture, which unfortunately was quite a time crunch. Magic soon started to happen; I was so thrilled. By the second day 25 collars had been passed my way. People left them on my front doorstep, in my mailbox etc. Dog walking friends would pull them out of their dog pouches and say that they were from
their clients. One dog walking friend had collars for me and both of us realized that we would not be at the park at the same time. I suggested she leave them in the tree where walkers hang their leashes. Thankfully, they were there when I went to pick them up! Not one person wanted the “glory” of being a contributor – it was all anonymous. I started piling the collars onto a counter in our dining room. At the end of each day I would look at them and pick them up wondering what stories each collar could tell. One simple faded blue nylon collar caught my eye. It had a small clump of dog fur on it and I actually got choked up (I cry easily). It obviously had been around for a few years but was in perfect shape without a rip or loose threads. The buckle was in wonderful condition and will serve a needy dog well. By the last day of my plea to dog lovers almost 90 items sat on my counter. There were brand new collars with sparkly jewels on them, leather ones, funky fabrics and patterns, and dozens of well-loved canine neck bling. Brand new leashes and body harnesses were donated along with everything else.
One of my dog clients sweetly wrapped two collars and a leash in a ribbon and simply wrote on the donation. “For a dog in Mexico, Love Shuga,” their dog’s name. I put a note on one of our favorite collars that Abby used to wear, saying best wishes from Toronto. Our family unloaded all our puppy collars we had kept for sentimental reasons and a collar from our handsome Chocolate Labrador Chip who is no longer with us. I must admit I had a twang in my heart passing it on but love the idea that it will help out a dog in need elsewhere. Julia, the (the Pattison K9) volunteer, came to my house to pick up the haul. It was great meeting her and hearing about the trip… Julia mentioned that, with the collars I collected, she will have 200 to take to Mexico! Special thanks to my dog loving friends in my community and to my dog walker buddies – Ann Brown of Wiggan’s Pack, Deborah Lynch of Scamps Pet Care, Alexandra Sleightholm of Care of the Dog, Nafisa Noorani of Dog Walking and Jennifer Ego of Pawsitively Pets for putting out the word and gathering awesome donations. I
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More fun to come with Leaside 100 Leaside Life, May 2013
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20 As we sidle into May, three big Leaside 100 events have just occurred: the official commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Leaside, the Archival Exhibit at the Leaside Public Library and the Leaside 100 Gala. The official opening at the Leaside Library on April 23 started us off. How fortunate can you feel when your local MPP is also the premier of the province, and wants to be present for the occasion. If there were no hitches (this is being written on deadline, which is before any of these events took place) Premier Kathleen Wynne was joined by MP John Carmichael and other notables past and present to mark our centenary. A beautiful quilted wall hanging, created by Margaret Carscadden was unveiled. It features the crests of the Town of Leaside, the Borough of East York and the City of Toronto to show our municipal history. Visit the Leaside Library to see it still on display. Also, during the week, if you took
Lorna Krawchuk Publisher Leaside Life
the time to look carefully in the Community Room at the library you would have seen the story of Leaside from prehistory to the present, in maps, photographs and text. The committee putting this together was comprised of volunteer curator Elaine Fujiwara, Geoff Kettel (chair), John Naulls, Jennifer Peattie, Jane Pitfield and Roger Steer with the able assistance of Ryerson University staff and students and the Toronto Public Library . The Toronto District School Board, with Trustee Gerri Gershon, Superintendent Rauda Dickinson and Bessborough School Principal Sarah Frost were to host the celebration co-ordinated by Kaitlin Wainwright of Heritage Toronto. The two historical plaques, for Leaside – the Railway Town, were shownoff to students and other visitors at Bessborough Public School before being moved to their permanent
location at Leaside Village, east of Laird Dr. The Gala would likely have been held at Leaside Memorial Community Gardens, if the William Lea Room hadn’t been out of commission because of the in-progress arena twinning. To the rescue came Hal Spradling, owner of All Canadian Self Storage, with the offer of his space for the event. A lucky 200+ of you will have seen the startling results of the transformation of a storage facility with its huge, wide corridors and bright red locker doors into a magical party space. Virginia Gallop Evoy, special assistant to Councillor John Parker, has been the able overseer of this whole project and has done an excellent job of obtaining sponsors and suppliers to make this a truly memorable evening. The vintage Durant car suitably displayed inside didn’t hurt either. And if this isn’t enough – the Heritage Toronto Walking Tour, with the route assembled by Geoff Kettel, and MORE FUN, Page 22
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Leaside Life, May 2013
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More fun From Page 20
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narrated by Geoff and Jane Pitfield, was to be a follow-up to the Gala on Sunday afternoon, the 28th. Starting at 1:30 at the Leaside Library, the route gives a walking history lesson in a circle to arrive back at the library – with time to look at the Archival Exhibit before its dismantling. There is another chance to participate in the Walk one week later – on May 5, starting at the library at 1:30 p.m. under the Jane’s Walk umbrella (but without the opportunity to see the exhibit afterwards). Our website is now up and running. Now is your chance to add your photos, stories and check on events. www.leaside100.ca. The Leaside 100 committee, convened by Councillor John Parker, has been meeting weekly at Trace Manes to shepherd these events along, as well as to work on other upcoming initiatives. The committee is comprised of John Piper, chair, and Virginia Gallop Evoy, Elaine Fujiwara, Charlene Kalia, Geoff Kettel, Lorna Krawchuk, Nick Lewis, Roger Steer and Muhammad Wani. I
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John Parker
‘Somehow all my fault? Oh well’ Earlier this month the proposed new SmartCentre on the north side of Wicksteed Ave. was approved by unanimous vote of North York Community Council. After all the controversy, innuendo, name calling, etc. attached to this proposal over the past year or so I was pleased that the Leaside Property Owners’ Association and Leaside Unite appeared at community council and announced that they were withdrawing any opposition to it. I was somewhat less happy when, the following day, they put into circulation the word that they had done so under a state of some duress and somehow it was all my fault. Oh well. By now I hope it is well understood that the development proposal conforms to the provisions of the Official Plan (OP) that was adopted by city council in 2002. The relevant provisions of the OP support large scale (big box) retail on the edges of “employment zones,� which describes the site of this proposal and the other large format retail sites on the east side of Laird. The developer was not about to be chased away. When it is built out, I hope it is also understood that the attractive design features of this project - in common with the one with the Longo’s store at the south end of Laird - are the result of hours of meetings and negotiations involving the developer, city staff, and me in which I held out for the best possible result for our community. Most visible amongst these influences will be the emphasis on architectural merit and generous landscaping and the absence of the massive asphalt parking lot that is the dominant feature of the shopping centres that preceded them. Another significant community benefit that I have held out for on each Laird Dr. development project in which I have been engaged is the contribution of a length of landscaped median on Laird Dr. itself. It has long PARKER, Page 24
Ba Bayview yview & Fleming F le m in g 1601 B Bayview ayview Ave Ave Toronto Toronto O ON N M4G M4G 3B5 3B 5 416-489-1873 416 489 1873
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Leaside Life, May 2013
Councillor, Toronto Ward 26 Don Valley West
BRIAN MOK
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Parker Leaside Life, May 2013
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From Page 23
troubled me that Laird, originally Leaside’s main street, had been allowed to become a shabby back alley that served only to move cars. By implementing a landscaped median I aim to help beautify the street and restore some of its original respectability. I also aim to moderate traffic flows and make the area more amenable to pedestrian activity, as Bayview is. In the case of the project approved this month the median will protect the homes on Parkhurst Blvd. from through traffic and put an end to the chronic illegal left turns made from Parkhurst onto Laird. We now move on to our next local challenge: the proposed Garden Court apartment condominium conversion, concerning which I make just two points for now: (1) at this month’s community council meeting I sent the application back to the drawing board, and (2) the term “demolition” on the notice on the grounds does NOT mean demolition in the conventional sense; it is the technical term used in cases of this sort to describe a proposal to convert an existing rental dwelling into a condominium. I
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Unexpected sights in Leaside Leaside Life, May 2013
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The Leaside Lawn Bowling Club (above) is about to become a 60year-old unknown. With that anniversary coming up, the most common comment members still get is, “We had no idea this lovely
facility was here.” It’s tucked away at the eastern end of Talbot Park, facing Leaside High, at the corner of Hanna Rd. and Parklea. If you’re curious, the club is taking part in Doors Open Toronto May 25-26.
CARNVARCO Rd., just east of Laird
HUH? On Randolph Rd., just east of Millwood
LOOKING south to Aerodrome Cres.
And if you’re curious about lawn bowling there will be free, no obligation introductions on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 10 and Monday evenings at 7 on May 6, 13 and 27. Just drop in. I
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Snow? Don't bother me, I'm gardening
Ian Nelmes ready to garden Featured in the Donlea garden are magnificent trees nurtured over the past few years—white pines, birches, Austrian pines, crab apples and red oak. The two apple trees produced so many apples one year that Harris enlisted the help of a not-forprofit organization, whose volunteers pick the fruit and divide it among the garden owner, volunteers, and local food banks, shelters, etc. Although the heavy-lifting for the property is done by an outside gardener, Harris sees his job as “doing the appreciation” and being a “good steward”. Asked if the garden tour presented any particular pressure, Harris said he’s pretty calm about the
A garden for everyone Each year, the Magical Gardens of Leaside Tour brings new insight into what’s “hot” in today’s gardens. This year’s offering includes several vegetable gardens, a sign of the urban garden movement. One garden was inspired by British Columbia, showcasing 100 trees and designed in the style of a Japanese stroll garden. Another includes a unique Irish garden shed. Appropriate for Leaside’s historic anniversary, a garden on Millwood dates back to 1927, although remodelled a few years ago. The gardens showcased at the Leaside Library are a good example of how the society gives back to the community. For many years, volunteers have planted and maintained a garden with the help of local school children at the front of the library as well as at Father Caulfield Park and Trace Manes. The society also maintains the gardens at Toronto Rehab (formerly Lyndhurst) and in commemoration of its 25th anniversary, last year donated a bench, planter and new garden at the library. Whether or not you think you’ve got a green thumb, the tour is a great opportunity to see how others have met the various challenges of the small, shaded, too sunny, large or awkwardly spaced garden. Tickets go on sale at the May 11 plant sale at Trace Manes, then from Victoria weekend on at selected local merchants. www.leasidegardensociety.org. I
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Leaside Life, May 2013
While some of us may still be thinking about raking out our front lawn, seven Leaside gardeners are already getting ready as participants in this year’s Magical Gardens of Leaside Tour this June 22. The major fundraiser for the Garden Society, the annual tour saw over 500 visitors last year for an event that continues to grow in popularity. There are eight Leaside gardens featured, seven at homes in addition to the gardens at the public library. One of this year’s garden hosts, Ian Nelmes, says, “I always have so many garden chores to do to prepare at this time of year that getting ready for the tour is just getting ready for the season.” Nelmes has been developing both his front and back garden since he and his wife, Sandra Russell, first moved into their Bessborough house in 1992. The front garden began with a blue spruce they moved from their previous home (originally planted with his daughter on Earth Day 1989). He also buried a 150-gallon tank under the front lawn, fed by downspouts, in order to make the garden “self-watering”. Today, it’s all part of a low-maintenance eco system of numerous competing perennials, shrubs and self-seeding annuals that require almost no weeding or thinning. “The front yard is for display, the backyard for living,” says Nelmes. To accommodate outdoor living, there’s a large patio, lawn, vegetable garden and a shaded area featuring cool colours of green and white. A movie “scenic artist” (he paint backdrops, murals and various elements on film sets), Nelmes also paints in his spare time, so visitors will want to check out a backyard shed that’s also his studio. Another participant in this year’s Magical Garden Tour is the lovely English-looking cottage of Lee-Anne McAlear and Jim Harris at 1 Donlea Dr. “It’s designed as a garden to be enjoyed,” Harris says. It has three patios, sculptures, a pond with a bridge, and especially important to Harris, a vegetable garden with edible delights such as golden raspberries, snow peas and garlic (planted between the roses). Harris and McAlear love to entertain outdoors, with space for 150 people seated at tables on a summer evening.
whole thing, adding “our garden is designed so something is always in bloom. We’re confident that the day of the tour, there will be lots to enjoy.”
CYNDA FLEMING
By BETH PARKER
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ALLAN WILLIAMS
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BRIAN ATHEY: How to get around a bidding war to live here
His passion: Preserving Leaside’s character By ALLAN WILLIAMS “To preserve and maintain the character and livability of this great family community” is how Brian Athey sums up the job of the Leaside Property Owners’ Association (LPOA), a group he’s chaired since 2006. It’s a responsibility he feels passionately and for which his professional training and community involvement make him uniquely qualified. Athey was born in Toronto, grew up in Mississauga and studied civil engineering at the University of Waterloo before joining the firm of Proctor and Redfern after his graduation in 1988. Over the course of his 25-year career he has been responsible for the design approvals and construction of a wide variety of retail, office and residential developments. Within a few years of graduating he also completed an MBA and married Nancy, whom he had met skiing. The couple bought their first home, on Chilton Ave. just across the Leaside Bridge, in 1989 and, by 1995, the family had grown to include two young sons. With his knowledge of planning and zoning issues and an interest in heritage and design, Athey applied and was named to the former Borough of East York’s Committee of Adjustment in 1992 and, when the
previous chair John Parker was elected as MPP in 1995, he became its chair. “Each application required a walk-around visual inspection and so I got to know all the streets.” This was helpful when the couple decided they wanted to move to Leaside. “We had an agent but we kept losing out on bidding wars,” Athey recalls. “So I made a flyer saying, ‘Young family of four looking for single-detached house in Leaside’ and we delivered them door-to-door on the specific streets where we wanted to live.” They got some calls, completed a private sale, and moved into a house on Rumsey Rd. in 1999. By then their two sons were already involved in the usual Leaside activities, attending Mrs. Park’s Nursery School, skating at the arena, swimming at the pool, playing baseball at Trace Manes Park and attending Beavers at Leaside United Church, where Athey became one of the leaders. Athey says his time on the Committee of Adjustment taught him a lot about the development pressures in pockets of East York and Leaside. When he stepped down in 2000 and began attending meetings of the LPOA he soon got involved with developing Character Preservation Guidelines to be used by developers in renovating homes in Leaside.
They had no enforcement mechanism and efforts to make them part of the site plan approval process were eventually dropped. But this was an early example of the LPOA’s concern to protect the homes and architecture of Leaside. “It’s not about stopping renovation or redevelopment but about making an effort to preserve the character of the specific streetscapes,” Athey says. “The west end of Parkhurst Blvd., for example, is classic two-storey Leaside architecture, and we would like to see the Parkhurst study enlarged. There are already 20-25 Heritage Conservation Districts in Toronto.” Heritage preservation is just one example of the issues in which the LPOA is involved. Athey mentions retail development, traffic infiltration and the Eglinton LRT as three others, all of which are important, complicated, sometimes emotional, and will have a significant impact on the future of Leaside. The LPOA speaks for the community on these issues and Athey says every homeowner in Leaside is encouraged and welcome to get involved. Meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month, September to June, at 7:30 p.m. at Trace Manes Community Centre, with an annual general meeting each November at Leaside Gardens. www.lpoa.ca. I
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Surprised by Garden Court condo proposal Leaside Life, May 2013
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We were surprised last month to find out that an application had been made to convert the Garden Court apartments, 1477 Bayview Ave., to a condominium (and the tenants were not informed). This property is widely recognized as an excellent example of Garden City planning, and quality rental housing. It represents an extremely important, indeed likely a unique resource, from both heritage, and housing mix perspectives. The Leaside Property Owners’ Association expressed several concerns about the application, such as the loss of affordable rental housing, the de-stabilization of the rental residential community, and the potential threat to the heritage status. The application was deferred by North York Community Council on Tuesday, April 9, as the application as submitted was incomplete. While the application lacks any apparent public benefits, it may still return!
What will we consider our future heritage? So you visited the Layers of Leaside Archival Exhibit at Leaside Library. Interesting? But is it a practical project or merely an academic exercise? And what next? Actually, understanding the six historical layers of settlement, each of which have a distinct identity (based on prevailing architectural style for example), can help us to develop a kind of “system plan” for Leaside’s built heritage. So it can help us start to identify properties and whole streets that are deserving of heritage protection. Remains from all layers except Layer 1 (Pre-history and Pre-settlement) may be seen today in Leaside. The former Borough of East York and its Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC) identified what they saw at that time as “heritage” - the settler homes like that of John Edmund Lea (33 Heather), James Lea (201 Sutherland) and the Thomas Elgie Farmstead (262 Bessborough). These homes are pretty much all that remains from Layer II (Pioneers and Settlers - 1800 to 1910). LACAC recognized some remains from Layer III (Early Industrial and the Establishment of the Town of Leaside – 1910 to 1929) such as the Canadian Northern Railway Maintenance Facility on Laird Dr., now converted to a Longo’s, and the Perrem and Knight grocery store at 322 Sutherland (at
Geoff Kettel
Saving old Leaside McRae). But they missed the residential development of the day, like the Canada Wire and Cable homes of Sutherland and Randolph, and the Wilkinson Home (45 Sharron Dr., formerly 1 Clowes Rd.). Layer IV (Late Industrial Development and Tract Development 19301954) is where housing development in the Town of Leaside really took off. While the town plan and the basic road layouts were established in Layer III, the lots got built on and the town built out in Layer IV, and it all happened in little more than a decade. This layer is where the character of Leaside with the Georgian and Tudor Revival architecture of south Leaside was established by several builders of the time, including Henry Howard Talbot, Arthur William Brockington, A.B Cairns and Ron Balsdon. Layer IV ends with the construction of Sunnybrook Plaza – the first commercial plaza in Ontario.
Except for Garden Court apartments with their fine Beaux Arts architecture, this Layer has been neglected until recently for heritage. The Henry Howard Talbot-built Talbot Apartments at Bayview and Sutherland/Airdrie were protected by the city in 2007. Leaside’s first Heritage Conservation District will almost certainly come from this enormously significant Layer of Leaside. For Layer V the development action swings over to Thorncliffe Park, which was annexed by the Town of Leaside in 1954. Thorncliffe, built up in the 1960s, has very recently received some attention. The Coca-Cola building at 42-46 Overlea Blvd. has recently been recommended for listing by the Toronto Preservation Board and the North York Community Council. Layer VI- Present Day, 2000 to 2013. Today we are an infill community; there are almost no new lots; there are add-ons and renovations, and demolitions and reconstructions, perhaps too many of the latter. And what of the power centres on Laird, will they stand the test of time? What will we consider as heritage in the future? We would be interested to know what you think! I
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LeasideLife issue 17 draft 3_LeasideLifev1 13-04-19 9:39 PM Page 31
The huge Diamond plan process is just starting Vice-president, LPOA
the proposed Eglinton LRT station at Laird Dr.) with 107,000 square feet, retail space of 70,000 square feet, and condos of 1,280 units comprising over a million square feet, and includes 1,600 underground parking spaces for residents, shoppers and office tenants.
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Carol Burtin Fripp
The preliminary proposal shows 31 a nine-storey residential and a sevenstorey office building with retail at street level along Eglinton, as well as 22-, 26-, and 29-storey residential buildings elsewhere on the property, with a central courtyard. Members of the LPOA board, and members of the public in attendance, asked questions and expressed concerns about the massing and density of the development, and about the amount of potential traffic generated by the project through FRIPP, Page 31
Celebrating 100 years of singing together LEASIDE UNITED CHURCH Hymn Festival: From the Past Will Come the Future, celebrating 100 years of singing together as a worshipping community. Sun., May 5, 7:30 p.m., 822 Millwood Rd. Jane Pitfield, commentator. Choirs and musicians from Leaside Bible Chapel, Leaside Presbyterian, Leaside United, Northlea United, St. Anselm's, St. Augustine of Canterbury and St. Cuthbert's. LEASIDE UNITED CHURCH Spring Awesome Sale, Fri., May 10, 3-7 p.m. and on Sat., May 11, 9 a.m.-noon. Bargains for all ages in 15 departments of furniture, home decor, clothing, linens, jewellery, electronics, books, toys, etc., and a snack bar. Proceeds fund local and outreach programs. LEASIDE GARDEN SOCIETY Plant Sale. Locally grown, top quality perennials as well as member donated plants. Sat., May 11, 9 a.m.-noon. Trace Manes Community Centre, 110 Rumsey. Society meeting, Thurs., May 9, speakers Jack and Jackie Looye, rhodos and azaleas, Leaside Library, 7:30 p.m., refreshments at 7. Visitors and new members welcome. Membership $25 individual or $30 family. LEASIDE LIBRARY, 165 McRae, Dr, 416396-3835. – Art Exhibit: Paper Chase by Naomi Chorney, every Wed., May 1-31, Community Room. – One Hundred Years of Sheridan Nurseries, Wed. May 1, 7 p.m. Learn the surprising origins of many common garden varieties like Boxwood from Korea and Yew seed from Japan. Drop in. – Toddler Time (19-35 months): Ready for Reading! Every Wed., May 1- June 5, 9:30-10 a.m. Stories, songs and rhymes for children with their parents or caregivers. Drop in. – Family Time (19 months-5 yrs): Ready for Reading! Every Wed., May 1 – June 5, 10:3011 a.m. Stories, songs and rhymes for children with parents or caregivers. Drop in. – Preschool Time (3-5 yrs): Ready for Reading! Every Wed., May 1 – June 5, 2-2:30 p.m.
Deadline for June, May 10 leasidelife@gmail.com
Stories, songs and rhymes for children with parents or caregivers. Drop in. – Baby Time (birth-18 months): Ready for Reading! Every Thurs., May 2 – June 6, 9:3010 a.m. (session 1); 10:15-10-45 a.m. (session 2) Bouncing and tickling rhymes, songs and stories for babies with parents or caregivers. Drop in. – Chess in the Library, every Sat., May 4, 11, 18, 12-1:30 p.m. For children, teens and adults. Drop in. – City of Toronto Historic Museum: Todmorden Mills, Sat., May 4, 2 p.m. Learn how kids lived and played 100 years ago. Make your own 19th century inspired craft to take home. Drop in. – Monday Afternoon Book Club, May 6, 2 p.m., The Beggar’s Opera by Peggy Blair and/or Havana Best Friends by Jose Latour. Drop in. – Author Talk: Zoe S. Roy, Thurs., May 9, 2 p.m. Roy introduces her debut novel, The Long March Home, about three generations of women dealing with family tragedy, discrimination and political revolution. Drop in. – National Film Board film: Payback, Fri., May 10, 2p.m., 86 minutes. Based on Margaret Atwood’s Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth. Plus one minute viewing of a short animation, The Visitor. – Teen Movie Night: The Hunger Games, Wed., May 15, 5:30-8 p.m. – Dystopic realities have 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen competing for her survival in
this state-run contest of the survival of the fittest. PG 13. Drop in. – Being Jewish in Ontario: A Pictorial Celebration, Thurs., May 16-30, in celebration of Jewish History Month. Photographs from Jewish communities, rural and urban, by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Drop in. – Living and Learning with Baby, from birth to 6 months. Thurs.,May 16-June 27, 1:30 p.m. Toronto Public Health weekly program includes child safety, child growth and development, infant nutrition, caring for sick children, adjusting to parenthood, and connecting with community resources. 416338-7600 for more information or to register. – Pajama Time (5 yrs. and under): Ready for Reading! Every Tues., May 21 – June 25, 7p.m. Bedtimes stories, songs, fingerplays and movies for children with parents or caregivers. Bring your favorite cuddly toy. Drop in. – Spring Book Sale, Sat., May 25, 11a.m.-3 p.m. Everyone welcome. – Youth Advisory Group meeting Wed., May 29, 4-6 p.m. Summer reading and program planning. – Meatless Wednesday, May 29, 6:30 p.m. Toronto Vegetarian Association interactive workshop. Drop in. All ages. – Thursday Evening Book Club, May 30, 7 p.m. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Everyone welcome. Drop in NORTH LEASIDE WOMEN’S GROUP every Tues. 9:30 a.m., Northlea United Church, tea, coffee and a speaker. Guests welcome. May 7 planning session for all. Bring ideas. May 14, Patricia Price and Barbara Oakley introduce the Canadian Federation of University Women who meet at Northlea United Church the third Thursday of the month, offer varied groups and activities and sponsor scholarships and girls’ education in Afghanistan. May 21, Toronto Humane Society. May 28, Great Summer Reads with Ben McNally of Ben McNally books. I
Leaside Life, May 2013
A presentation was made to the LPOA board on March 6 by Steve Diamond, of Diamond Corporation, regarding 939 Eglinton Ave. East. This is the plaza on the west side of Brentcliffe and south of Eglinton -- readers may recognize it as the plaza where Nando’s, Tim Hortons, The Nature Store, and Walking on a Cloud are located. About five acres in size, the site is within the designated Employment Area under the city’s Official Plan. Mr. Diamond’s preliminary proposal is for a mixed-use development of office space (about 220 metres from
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both Leaside’s residential area and the industrial/business park. Building height was another concern, especially in comparison with adjacent buildings. Lack of capacity in local schools was raised, as local schools are already using portables and have no space for the estimated 500 children the development might house. An Official Plan amendment application has already been filed, and was heard by North York Community Council on April 9. Once granted, such applications require a staff report and a public consultation meeting to be held, so this process is just beginning. Generally, only those within 120 metres of the site are notified by the city about official public meetings, so the LPOA will keep you informed through this column and possibly a flyer delivery as well. Stay tuned! Other Leaside issues: -- The fate of the site of the former Leaside Post Office on Malcolm (aka 2 Laird) remains contentious. Knightstone Capital, the owner, has submitted a new proposed design
with only two percent reduced building area from their original seven storeys. They had been asked to return with revisions (four storeys, and a townhouse rather than high rise design) none of which are in their new proposal. Meetings continue. --Thank you to those who wrote to Leaside Life and me, re: my suggested solution to the stretch of Bayview between Sutherland and Davisville not currently served by the TTC. Since I was not invited to the meeting called by Councillor Parker with the TTC and Michael Bell, the Leasider who first raised the issue, I cannot give you a proper update. I hope that at some future time I will have an opportunity to ask questions directly of TTC staff. --At our April meeting, the LPOA board voted to oppose a casino for Toronto, and to allow the LPOA’s name to be included in a full-page Globe & Mail advertisement listing other opponents. Concern was expressed about the damage a casino would do to the city’s downtown, its impact on planning and neighbourhoods, and the many costs that would be incurred on a continuing basis. The LPOA vote was unanimous. I
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LETTERS
Leaside Life, May 2013
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leasidelife@gmail.com
We got a lot of complaints As LPOA President, I would like to take this opportunity to comment on the article by Will Ashworth in the previous issue of Leaside Life. Mr. Ashworth’s column provided his opinion and support for a 1.2 million sf, 1,280-condo unit proposal for the southwest corner of Brentcliffe and Eglinton, and suggested a position had been formed by the LPOA. The LPOA is a ratepayer organization comprised of volunteers who live in, and have a vested interest in the Leaside community. We are dedicated to representing Leaside residents’ interests and priorities. These priorities often involve development, traffic infiltration, heritage preservation, and small business protection, amongst others. We also endeavour to maintain a close working relationship with our local elected officials and city staff as part of our function. Mr. Ashworth’s article suggests the LPOA was “quick to judge the project” and “believe they are singularly qualified to speak for the community”. To the contrary, we endeavour to use our limited resources to reach out to the community and welcome feedback through as many channels as possible. The proposed demolition of the Pure Fitness plaza and development of 1,280 condo units in three towers of 22, 26, and 29 storeys is one of the largest redevelopment proposals ever submitted in Leaside. We would hope to receive as much input from the community as possible. The LPOA meets monthly and all Leaside residents are welcome to attend and bring forward specific issues or concerns. Developers and builders are welcome to present development and alternative proposals prior to city application. Community input and feedback is critical to our function. In conclusion, LPOA board members put in hundreds of hours of work each year as volunteers. We are comprised of businesspersons, engineers, a lawyer, planner, landscape architect and retirees from numerous backgrounds. We are, most importantly, Leasiders who are dedicated to our community. Brian Athey President, LPOA
Please, no more columns by Will Ashworth. The two that unfortunately appeared in the 100th anniversary edition were like reading the thoughts of an aspiring mouthpiece for commercial developers. Maybe Will's views are worth airing as a one-off reader's letter, but please, not as a columnist. I found this month’s columns particularly disingenuous: in Leaside Life, Will stated that he was “not a huge fan of Walmart,” yet in his writings elsewhere this month (in this case his writing in Investopedia) he’s enough of a fan to analyze Walmart’s financials, and to express the belief that for the moment at least, “Walmart’s stock is worth owning.” I prefer my Leaside Life columnists to have less of a focus on commercial concerns and more of a focus on community. Julian Jones, Sutherland Dr. To Will Ashworth: I just read your article about the proposed condo development at Brentcliffe and Eglinton. I disagree with your comments that there should not be much of an impact in the area, as I live two blocks from that intersection. The traffic has tripled since we moved in 1980 and my school population has tripled. I work in kindergarten. The schools ARE definitely impacted with increased population. You said "no more than 500 children would be absorbed into the school system" (Page 10) and this would not impact schools in the neighbourhood. Have you been in a public school lately in the junior grades? You should visit and see what it is like with 31 in a classroom that was built in the 1950s and see the impact it has on the children. Playground space is limited, classrooms are too small and noise levels are outrageous. I disagree that this development will be beneficial to the expansion of our city. Leaside cherishes its small and low-rise nature of its surroundings. I grew up here since 1972. I have seen homes torn down and monster homes built in their place … (and) dis-
gruntled locals. How can our children be able to afford houses in this area in the future? I can count on one hand how many bungalows remain, sadly. Listening to parents whose children attend my school I hear they are not pleased with crowding and traffic concerns. More accidents have occurred with elementary school children in the last five years than any other time I can remember. One of my students died two years ago from a car accident at an intersection. I feel large development is not needed in this area as we have enough development that has ruined the quiet surroundings I remember growing up. These comments are (a result) of a large group discussion Thursday evening, and everyone around the table, who lives here, agrees Diamond Corp. can find other areas in the city that would be more suitable than crowding Eglinton and Brentcliffe even further. Development is good, but not at the expense of losing quality education, impacting small children, overcrowding of people and car traffic. It’s not the same neighbourhood and many are moving out. Jody Kinsey, Donlea Dr. I was most disturbed to read the Eg-Brent article in your April edition. I hope it was an opinion piece but since it was labelled The business of Leaside, it appears to reflect the views of the publisher and the editor. Although the author Will Ashworth implies he is a resident of Leaside he clearly is not aware of the long-standing Leaside community plan of separating our residential area from our industrial area. This policy dates back to the 1940s and the days of Mayor Howard Talbot and his council. When I had the privilege of serving as the Mayor of the Borough of East York, we formed a Leaside industrial association, at a time when the industrial area was under attack by apartment developers. The industrialists sent East York council and myself a clear message that if the area did not LETTERS, Page 35
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remain industrial and the height restriction did not remain in place they would leave. Mercedes Benz agreed to stay and improve their site where they are today only after I personally assured them that the Leaside industrial area was sacrosanct. Intensive traffic generated by commercial and residential development is anathema to industry. It drastically interfers with their deliveries and shipments. If we want to see our remaining industries leave and take their jobs with them to Mississauga or Markham the way to do it is to approve more commercial and residential developments in the Leaside industrial area. Alan Redway, McRae Dr. (Ed. Note: All stories with an author’s photo that identifies a column contain opinions of the author.) I know I was not the only person offended by the Leaside Life column by Will Ashworth in your latest edition. His remarks were petty, personal and
In the April edition of Leaside Life, Will Ashworth, a business columnist, offers his opinions on the issues of density, development and the proposal for Eglinton and Brentcliffe. However, when he purports to report on the LPOA meeting his opinions seem to be based on fiction, rather than fact. According to him “The LPOA board appeared in an ornery mood,”
he “found that those in attendance were quick to judge the project in a negative manner even though they’d only just heard the plans for the first time,” our concerns about traffic were 35 not “original,” and our concerns about a potential 500 additional school children were “a non-issue”. So stunned by these accusations that I wondered if I’d been at a different meeting entirely, I took the time to listen to the complete audio recording of the meeting. Perhaps Mr. Ashworth would like a copy? The LPOA board members (all but one of whom were present that evening) asked thoughtful, respectful questions of the architect and developer. Nobody appeared to be in an “ornery mood” – quite the opposite. There were no calls to “drastically reduce the density of the project” although there were some suggestions to consider other models of mixed-use development, which might be more in keeping with the surrounding community. We certainly realize that increasing the density along the new LRT route can be desirable. But walkable economically viable development doesn't necessarily equal high rise towers; I would recommend
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nasty, not at all in the vein of neighbourhood news we treasure in Leaside Life. Count me as one of the “ornery” board members he describes, people who can and do quiz and question prospective developers who come to us with their plans for Leaside, including Mr. Diamond, someone we have worked with in the past. Differing opinions? Fine! Personal attacks and name calling? Not fine! If you think an elected board of local residents should be agreeable to, and agreeing with, all comers, on every level, not looking for us to offer comments and ideas, and yes, criticism, then maybe we all need to rethink our commitment to community input on proposed projects. I for one value that right – and obligation. Patricia Prentice, Leacrest Rd.
Leaside Life, May 2013
Letters
LETTERS, Page 36
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LEASIDE
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LETTERS, Page 37
Leaside Life, May 2013
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that Mr. Ashworth do some research on what makes cities livable and vibrant, rather than simply quoting Christopher Hume on the subject of density. The validity of a concern – such as traffic – is not judged on originality. It’s not artwork, it’s traffic. Five hundred additional school children are a mere back-of-a-napkin trifle to Mr. Ashworth, but to the schools in the area struggling to find classroom space, 50 additional children present a near-insurmountable challenge. Ten times that many is enough for another school entirely; where would Mr. Ashworth like to put that, and has he informed the TDSB? And finally, there is Mr. Ashworth’s impression that “For whatever reason the people that sit on the board of the LPOA seem to believe that they are singularly qualified to speak for the community when it comes to issues of development.” The Leaside Property Owners’ Association is a ratepayer’s group. Perhaps Mr. Ashworth doesn’t know what ratepayers groups do?
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Letters From Page 36
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Usually, like the LPOA, they advocate for the community when there are development issues affecting their constituents. Usually, like the LPOA, they reach out to their members to accurately reflect their concerns, spending many long hours in research, meetings with city officials and staff, holding and attending public meetings, and communicating with the community – all of it on a volunteer basis, because their members care very strongly about the community and city in which they live. What unites us is a passion for our neighbourhood and the desire to see it continue to develop as a vibrant community where we can live, work and play. A community that blindly and unquestioningly accepts every development proposal that comes its way is not a community with a vision for the future. It’s a darn shame that Mr. Ashworth can’t see that. Paddy Duncan, LPOA board member LETTERS, Page 38
If you are looking for information or to buy or sell, please feel free to give me a call!
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Letters From Page 37
I just read the article regarding the building where Longo's is now located and had to respectfully offer some corrections. That building was acquired by E.S.& A. Robinson and the "Wagon Shop" was used for material storage. The company later became DRG Packaging, PNG Packaging and in its last few years Winpak Technolgies. The original E.S.& A.R. building was 73 Laird Dr., later sold to a management company and now owned by Telus who added a fifth floor and beautifully remodelled it. In my working life I spent 37 mostly good years on this site. I have to admit that I thought designating the old CNR edifice as a heritage site was rather questionable but it is gratifying to see what a wonderful job has been done in revamping it into a Longo's store. Incidentally, Esandar Dr. was named for our company. Howard Birnie, Eglinton Ave. East (or Talbot Park)
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LETTERS, Page 38
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Letters From Page 38
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Leaside Life, May 2013
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Thanks for publishing my piece on Leaside High (Leaside High as seen by Margaret Atwood, April). I was also thrilled by the photo you posted of the Sunnybrook Plaza, circa 1952. I can see the roof of our house (19 Craig Cres.) over the top of the plaza. Our family moved to that house in 1953; it was a move up from a smaller house, 154 Hanna Rd. My mother bought the Hanna Rd. house in 1941 (my dad, in the RCAF, was overseas). She bought the house from the builder. I have written about these two houses on my blog. spikeymom.wordpress.com Elizabeth Bream, Revera Leaside, Thorncliffe Park The article in your April edition about the “$500,000 donation” to the Leaside Arena Expansion Project requires some clarification. Section 37 funds would not constitute a “donation”. The City of Toronto is permitted under section 37 of Ontario’s Planning Act to charge fees to a developer as a condition of approval of development LETTERS, Page 40
469 Manor Rd. East
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Letters From Page 39
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Leaside Life, May 2013
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applications that are of greater height or density than would otherwise be allowed. Such fees would be paid directly to the city to finance “community benefits� as negotiated between city staff and the applicant with input from the local councillor and the community. The arena board is grateful for Councillor Parker’s ongoing and vocal championing of the project and would welcome any section 37 funds that may be allocated to help finance the new arena. But we have had no involvement in any negotiations in this regard nor is there any mechanism for us to be involved. And any such funds would not constitute a “donation�. The arena board and expansion committee have heard from many individuals, businesses and other corporate entities interested in making a donation in return for naming rights to certain features of the new facility (the dressing rooms, the Zamboni, the clock etc.). We have been aware of SmartCentre’s support for the expansion project since September 2011 when they of* Not intended to solicit those already under contract with another Realtor.
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LETTERS, Page 41
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LeasideLife issue 17 draft 3_LeasideLifev1 13-04-19 9:39 PM Page 41
Letters
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From Page 40
I read your article about Bill Valliere (April). It brought back a lot of memories. I used to go to his pet shop every day. I lived up the street on Rumsey. I swear I brought a kitten home whenever we did not have one. Carol Wrigley, Tanager Ave. Looking at a recent map of the Heathrow noise footprint (published in the March 30 edition of The Economist), which measures noise over 55 db, I noticed that this footprint happens to fall over West London, home to some of the most expensive real estate in the world. Now I don't know whether residents in those neighbourhoods are just as outraged over the noise as some of those whose letters I have read in this publication but one thing I can be assured of is that it did not impact the values of their properties. It would be interesting to know if such a map exists of Pearson airport and whether Leaside would even fall into the noise footprint of over 55 db of noise. Benjamin Hunt, Glenvale Blvd. (Re: Ice age boulder for new hockey arena? April) The company responsible for constructing the new Leaside Gardens arena expansion project is Aquicon Construction. They did not find a twometre long boulder resembling a baked potato nearby nor were they ever involved. LETTERS, Page 42
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fered the Paul Henderson jersey for use at a fundraising event and agreed to match donations raised that day up to $25,000. This donation was made with no naming right attached to it. As reported in this newspaper’s February 2013 edition, when the new arena opens the original rink will thereafter be known as the Bert F. Grant rink in recognition of a $250,000 legacy gift made by his three children. Anyone interested in having the new rink named for their company or in honour of a family member should contact the expansion committee. Discussions with prospective donors are always conducted in strict confidence. Raymond White, Chair, Board of Management, Leaside Memorial Community Gardens
LeasideLife issue 17 draft 3_LeasideLifev1 13-04-19 9:39 PM Page 42
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Leaside Life, May 2013
Letters
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It was I , Jennifer Peattie, a local 20-year Leaside resident and also a volunteer for the Leaside 100 archival exhibit team for our centennial year celebrations who witnessed and saw the complete excavation process. The huge glacial erratic boulder was discovered on Feb. 25, 2013. It was removed by the subcontracting company Gio Construction, who are at present replacing the city’s main waterline here on Sutherland Dr. between Markham Rd. and Millwood Rd. for the past three months. It was found directly in front of 216 Sutherland Dr. on the curb, which is city owned property. The boulder on the same day was temporarily relocated by the Gio Construction crew to the north west corner of Lea Ave. and Sutherland Dr. It remained at that location for an approximate duration of six weeks. Recently on Friday, March 22, it has been relocated once again. Where its out-of-the-way spot is now is a complete mystery to me…. Behind the new hockey arena? I recognized and identified the glacial erratic by comparing it to the one already researched and on current display in front of our local library. I contacted the site foreman, Leo Giovannelli, of Gio Construction, and informed him how wonderful the much larger specimen was. He knew little if anything about its geological significance nor what it meant to the Leaside community’s history. To him it was simply a rock which needed to be permanently removed out of the way. It could have ended up in a landfill or been offered to a Leaside resident for landscape purposes had I not intervened. I expressed my concern to Leo and explained how vitally important this discovery was. It was not his decision to make being that the glacial boulder was discovered on city property. Therefore by law it belonged to the city, which could do with it as it wished. It was then that I took it upon myself to contact our local library and spoke with Linda Buch’s supervisor Patricia Eastman. I wanted to know if the library held any document records for the precambrian erratic currently plaqued and on display in front of our local library. Unfortunately they do not hold any records, therefore I was advised to contact our City Councillor John Parker. I did so on March 12 and spoke with Virginia Gallop Evoy, John LETTERS, Page 43
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Letters From Page 42
I arrived on Bayview Ave. back in 1979, when I purchased Allen’s Home Hardware. When I first arrived, Bayview Ave. merchants had a merchants’ association – Bayview Business Association. As long as the merchants participated in meetings, promotions, and had a cohesive governing committee, the association functioned well enough. However, sometime in the ‘80s, a general apathy among the merchants set in, and it wasn’t too long before the BBA ceased to function. Throughout the ‘80s, until the present time, a BIA was mooted, but not without determined opposition from some vocal business owners. In the current business climate, forming a BIA has become more crucial than ever. As a business group, LETTERS, Page 44
Leaside Life, May 2013
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Parker’s special assistant. I informed her of the discovery and asked her if they were interested in keeping the glacial boulder here in the community. She said after further investigation and research proving it’s authenticity it would be highly considered. She kindly asked if I could take this task upon myself due to her work constraints. Proactively, and pleased to do so, I contacted the Royal Ontario Museum. I spoke with Kathy Dutton, an employee in the geology department. I asked her if she could provide me with further information pertaining to the glacial erratic. She said once I provided her with more detail and photographs showing the glacial boulder’s size and scale, the ROM could easily confirm its authenticity. On March 12, I corresponded to her via email in which I included three of my own photographs and also sent the same email to the attention of John Parker. The very same day I received a phone call from Virginia Envoy confirming that they were indeed interested in the boulder and that it would be placed in front of the new hockey arena. She asked if I could contact Leo Giovannelli to get in touch with John Parker immediately. Which obviously he did seeing he took all the credit for all my endeavours. Needlesss to say after reading last month April’s issue of Leaside Life, I am beyond disappointed for not being recognized, valued nor truly appreciated. Jennifer Peattie, Sutherland Dr.
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LeasideLife issue 17 draft 3_LeasideLifev1 13-04-19 9:40 PM Page 44
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Bayview merchants face increasing competition – from other successful BIAs. One doesn’t have to look far for that competition; Leaside Village on Laird Ave, Mt. Pleasant, Danforth Ave. – just to name a few. Those other merchants have discovered an important fact: we are all business partners on the street, whether we know it or not. A BIA, like the (defunct) BBA, is an important mechanism to allow merchants to work in concert to attract business to our area. Forming a BIA, however, is not the end of the story. An important lesson has to be drawn from the BBA experience. It is not enough to form the organization – our merchants have to shed their apathy. Other writers have expounded on the various advantages that a BIA has over a common Business Association. It has to be stressed, however, that once formed, a successful BIA has to enjoy the enthusiastic participation of all its members, to the benefit of all its members. Raymond Gork, Leaside Paint Centre
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LeasideLife issue 17 draft 3_LeasideLifev1 13-04-19 9:40 PM Page 46
Neighbours commemorate ‘King of Parklea’ Leaside Life, May 2013
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Hugh Hammond 1924 – 2013 From Barry Lee and Judy Chan, neighbours for 20 years Hugh Hammond will be remembered by neighbours as the “King of Parklea”. His daily walks around the neighbourhood would take twice as long (as normal), as he would always stop to chat or check on seniors and others in the area. On Parklea Dr. he was our postman, taking care of the mail when someone was away, our garbageman, taking out and putting back our garbage bins, our neighbourhood watch patrol, always watching out for anything unusual. It was not unusual to see him in our backyard, raking our leaves and trimming the trees. Living in Leaside for close to 50 years, he had certainly seen many changes in the area and really enjoyed living here and sharing his knowledge of the area. Hugh Hammond was a man with a huge heart and soul and will be fondly remembered and missed.
“I really could not convey how wonderful he was eloquently enough,” wrote Judy Chan to Leaside Life when she asked us to write something about Hugh Hammond. They asked other neighbours to write too. Here are excerpts from their letters. From Joan Wilson, family Hugh immigrated to Canada in 1957. He was my mother Helen’s first cousin. He lived with us (the Wilson family) on Soudan Ave. until 1962 when he returned to live on his farm in Ireland, where he was born, Drummeny, Donegal. Hugh found he could not settle into farm life again and stayed in Ireland for less than two years. He sold his farm and returned to Toronto. He rented two different accommodations on Soudan until he bought his house on Parklea Dr. in 1966. I believe he paid $22,000 for his house. As you know, Hugh became a well-known fixture in Leaside. He received an East York Citizenship award at one point. Hugh started working for CN Railways in their freight yards soon after he came to Canada and rejoined CN when he returned to Canada in the 1960s. He retired around 1985.
Hugh didn’t have a lot of education but as you know was very intelligent. He left school after grade 8. He was considered among the very brightest in his country school. From Anna Hoy, Parklea neighbour Hugh embraced diversity. He welcomed you regardless of your race, gender, age, or religious orientation. He had a way of making people feel welcomed and accepted. A dominate trait that defines Hugh is his sense of chivalry. Although Hugh never married, he did have a special charm with the ladies. His charming personality is hard to forget. His lady friends at the neighbourhood Loblaws often looked out for him. If he had any vices, he definitely didn't show them. His life was about connecting with his family, connecting with his neighbours, and connecting with his neighbourhood. I
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& g n g i n n i t o i a t e i H nd o C r i A
ly o i m fa ront e m h To s a s The g Nort60 year in ver v r e s for o