Gord Perks City Councillor, Ward 4, Parkdale-High Park

After years of advocacy by local residents we are excited to announce that bike lanes have been installed on Ellis Avenue between Queensway and Lake Shore Blvd. This includes permanently closing the Southbound Right-Turn channel at Lake Shore Blvd. The channel has been be closed with 2 concrete barriers which have been covered by art by local stART artists, Anya Mielniczek, Leyland Adams and Andre Kan.

*Shared at the request of the Friends of High Park Zoo*

Although High Park Zoo is now open, we have made the difficult decision to not operate the llama pen activities for the remainder of 2020. We want to ensure that our visitors, volunteers, zookeepers and animals remain as safe as possible; we do not believe this can be done should the llama pen open under current conditions.

Unfortunately this decision will impact our 2020 fundraising by $30,000. We are raising funds to enhance the Zoo under a phased capital Master Plan. If you are in a position to do so, please consider making a donation at one of the yellow donation boxes located throughout the Zoo or via EFT or PayPal to treasurer@highparkzoo.ca

Thank you and stay safe!

Friends of High Park Zoo

Please join Lambton House (4066 Old Dundas Street), appropriately physically distanced, this Sunday, 26 July at 7:00 p.m. for a special Sunday evening concert from the front porch of Lambton House.  Please bring your own chair; masks/face covering recommended.

Installation Timeline: Tuesday, August 4, 2020 to End of August, 2020

The City of Toronto will install the Bloor West Bikeway Extension starting on Tuesday, August 4th. The street changes are intended to improve safety and comfort for all road users, and include the installation of cycle tracks (protected bike lanes). This project is part of the City Council-approved Cycling Network Plan to connect, grow and renew cycling routes across Toronto.

For more information contact : 416-338-3033, BloorWestBikeway@toronto.ca

We have seen the dramatic outpouring of anger and sadness this past month, as people in Toronto and around the world fight for change to the systemic racism that is prevalent throughout our society.   I have received hundreds of phones calls and tens of thousands of emails regarding the role of Toronto Police Services, the policing budget, and the systemic racism that exists in our own City government and institutions.  My staff and I decided to record a conversation on these issues, and discuss the themes and topics you are asking of me and our city government. While COVID-19 may stop us from host a traditional town hall, it is important we have these conversations in all types of spaces. I hope this new format will shed some light into my thoughts and process to best represent our concerns and protest going forward.

The STEPS Initiative is a Canadian-based public art organization that develops one-of-a-kind art initiatives
and engagement strategies that transform public spaces.

Daily Migration is a community-engaged arts project offering creative engagement and social connection through a series of virtual art workshops that will lead to an exhibition and inform the production of a mural in Toronto’s Parkdale community.
Do you have a personal connection with the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto?
Do you self-identify as a newcomer and are between the ages of 18-35?
Want to contribute to a co-created mural?
Interested in creating artwork that explores stories of belonging, home, travel and migration?

APPLY HERE by June 19, 4pm

While our city, along with the rest of the world, faces this difficult time, I have been comforted by the outpouring of help and support our Parkdale – High Park community has shared with each other. Seeing residents provide a helping hand to their neighbours, supporting our local restaurants and businesses, and donate meals to our health care workers has been heartwarming. I feel it is more important than ever that we come together, not only to get through this pandemic, but to rebuild a stronger, more just society for all residents of Toronto.

Next Tuesday,  June 2nd I will be hosting a Facebook Live Town Hall at 7:00 pm to discuss both the current recovery efforts, and what we as a society can do moving forward. I would love to hear your thoughts, ideas, and questions. As this will be our first virtual Town Hall, I am sure there will be some bumps in the road, but by working together our community can take an active role defining what type of city emerges from the recovery effort.

To help start the process, please email a question with the subject line, “Town Hall” in advance to ward04@toronto.ca or by replying to this email. Please include your name, and what neighbourhood you live in. I hope to see you on Tuesday, June 2 at facebook.com/GordPerks

Those that do not have facebook accounts can still view the live video by visiting facebook.com/GordPerks. Please provide your questions and comments in advance.

Your favourite JFM vendors will have pre-packaged market boxes in various sizes and price points. Find the list of vendors and items on their website https://www.localline.ca/junction-farmers-market. Their ordering window opens at 5 pm every Saturday and closes at 11:59 pm every Wednesday for the following Saturday pick-up – so make sure to plan in advance!

For their first market on May 30th, ordering will open at 5 pm on Saturday May 23rd and close on Wednesday May 27th at 11:59 pm.

To ensure proper social distancing protocols are followed, you’ll choose a pick-up time between 9 am and 1 pm on Saturday to collect your market goodies. If you have a CSA with one of our market vendors, you can also pick this up at the same time.

Voucher Program

For those that wish to support the program, they are working on adding an opportunity to donate a market box through their virtual store, which will be distributed in the community. In the meantime, you can donate to the program through our website’s donation page: https://junctionmarket.ca/donation/

“We’re all in this together!”

SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm

WEIRD AND WONDERFUL PLANTS

Heather Jerrard shows us interesting plant specimens, gardening tips and tricks and combinations for low maintenance outdoor spaces.

You’re invited to attend this special, online presentation about interesting plant specimens, conversation starters in the garden, natives, edibles, and planting combinations for outdoor spaces combined with some tips and tricks for keeping a low-maintenance landscape.

More people are asking about growing food, planting edibles, incorporating natives and dual-purpose plantings into their landscape. All of these topics and more will be discussed.

Heather Jerrard, is a landscape professional in London, Ontario. Having worked with Landscape Ontario in Milton, Rural Roots Landscaping in Lambeth and TLC Landscaping Design & Pools in London as well as graduating from the Landscape Design program at Fanshawe College. 

Register here to get your link to join the meeting.

Let’s grow together!

Mutual Aid Parkdale is a neighbourhood group organized on the core principle of practicing solidarity in times of crisis. In responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, they have been safely reaching out to hundreds of neighbours and checking in on them to see what material and social support they need by sharing what they have, purchasing and delivering food and medicine, and providing emotional and mental health support. They are building trust, care, and commitment with zero judgement. To support this effort, they have set up an online donation portal for their Solidarity Fund which will help them purchase basic necessities for the community. Learn more about their story here.