[Northern Light]

@AlexBozikovic has a column out on the Weston gift and associated (vague) proposals.

A $50-million parks gift is nice, but Toronto must take care of itself, too

Toronto’s parks are suffering from chronically poor maintenance and a lack of vision in their design and programming. Philanthropic help is great, but the city must also act

www.theglobeandmail.com

He raises the issue of University Park once more, questions the choice of Janet R. to lead the efforts here (he is right to, for reasons discussed up thread) and also whether this was the park where this money was most needed, in any event, other investments are also required (definitely true).

 

[Northern Light]

Here we go.

The Community Engagement Page has been updated.

The usual, multi-part, Parks Engagement process is underway, but there is good news here, the influence of outside, impatient money can be seen.

The typical 5-year process from initial consultation to construction has been reduced to 1 year, with a goal of breaking ground next summer.

Queen's Park North Revitalization

Queen's Park North is a historic and culturally significant public green space in Toronto, located north of the Ontario Parliament Building. In 2025, the City was approached by the Weston family with an offer to donate $50 million to improve the park, plus additional funding for long-term...

www.toronto.ca

From a quirky facts about the park section, the one I didn't know:

There is an initial survey, it is essentially about the principles about, how much you like them or don't, but also some ranking of the things you like about the park currently, and some improvements (washrooms, food, nature, seating) that you would like to see added the most.

There are write-in options for most questions, so if you don't like the choices, select 'other'. Be concise, there is a character limit.

- Queen's Park North Phase 1 Visioning Survey

ca.mar.medallia.com

 

[DSCToronto]

Here we go.

The Community Engagement Page has been updated.

The usual, multi-part, Parks Engagement process is underway, but there is good news here, the influence of outside, impatient money can be seen.

The typical 5-year process from initial consultation to construction has been reduced to 1 year, with a goal of breaking ground next summer.

Queen's Park North Revitalization

Queen's Park North is a historic and culturally significant public green space in Toronto, located north of the Ontario Parliament Building. In 2025, the City was approached by the Weston family with an offer to donate $50 million to improve the park, plus additional funding for long-term...

www.toronto.ca

View attachment 667674
From a quirky facts about the park section, the one I didn't know:

View attachment 667675

View attachment 667676
View attachment 667677
There is an initial survey, it is essentially about the principles about, how much you like them or don't, but also some ranking of the things you like about the park currently, and some improvements (washrooms, food, nature, seating) that you would like to see added the most.

There are write-in options for most questions, so if you don't like the choices, select 'other'. Be concise, there is a character limit.

- Queen's Park North Phase 1 Visioning Survey

ca.mar.medallia.com

Parks managing to get their act together to start work in a year? I will believe it when I see it. They have been talking about fixing up Market Lane Park (which is the size of a large suburban lawn) for several years and it was supposed to be fixed up at about the same time the North Market opened. The Market opened in April (and the external work was done last fall) but the latest plan is to start construction 'fall 2025' - though the contractor has yet to be selected. The David Crombie updaing is a similar tale of lethargy.

 

[Northern Light]

Parks managing to get their act together to start work in a year? I will believe it when I see it. They have been talking about fixing up Market Lane Park (which is the size of a large suburban lawn) for several years and it was supposed to be fixed up at about the same time the North Market opened. The Market opened in April (and the external work was done last fall) but the latest plan is to start construction 'fall 2025' - though the contractor has yet to be selected. The David Crombie updaing is a similar tale of lethargy.

The Westons are not donating 50M+ to those; and there's other money too......

Big players, for whom time is money and Parks is on their dime, and their time.

 

[UtakataNoAnnex]

...are they planning on putting that pavilion back?

 

[DSCToronto]

The Westons are not donating 50M+ to those; and there's other money too......

Big players, for whom time is money and Parks is on their dime, and their time.

I 100% understand the need to please donors but Parks really seems disfunctional for even small projects so I remain 'doubtful' they can move fast in any circumstances. We shall see!

 

[Northern Light]

The Westons are not donating 50M+ to those; and there's other money too......

Big players, for whom time is money and Parks is on their dime, and their time.

Not that exact one, no.

And not in that spot either, last I heard.

But washrooms are coming, that is definitely in the plan.