As part of your staycation, you may want to indulge in a free online course offered by Progress Toronto focussing on topics like how City Hall works or how to get involved with government committees. For more details and sign-up, click here.
We all know that High Park is a busy destination, especially now. In an effort to ease access and as part of the City’s ActiveTO projects, the park will be closed to vehicles on weekends (Friday nights to Monday mornings) to allow people to enjoy more outdoor space while being able to practice safe physical distancing. Bicycles are permitted.
There will also be updates to water filling stations and washrooms, as per this link.
One benefit of COVID-19 is that urban cycling is suddenly in the spotlight. And with that, the related infrastructure projects are now getting closer attention and shortened timelines. To read more about how we stand to benefit in Bloor West Village, click here.
It begins with a girl named Abbey. Abbey was a strong, brave, and tenacious 9-year old girl whose life was cut far too short in 2018 by a rare blood disorder. In her memory, Abbey’s family and friends created a charitable organization called Abbey’s Goal; click here to read more about Abbey and her amazing legacy.
In response to COVID-19, Abbey’s family started a rainbow revolution. They are making rainbow tree kits, which you can use to decorate a tree (or anything, really) in your front yard to show appreciation for essential workers and health heroes. If you would like to order a kit, you can text: 647-278-5140 and donate online at www.abbeysgoal.com.
Abbey’s Goal is suggesting a donation of $20 for this kit, which is home-made. All proceeds from the rainbow kits go to the Stop (thestop.org), an organization focused on increasing access to healthy food.
A key part of the Bijou development at the Humber Theatre site will be the rejuvenation of the northeast corner of Bloor Street and Riverview Gardens. Currently, this swath of property is unadorned with any landscaping or design elements and features a less-than-ideal off-camber sidewalk going around the corner. Upon completion of the condominium, this will be changed for the better.
Above is a rendering proposed by the developer of the Bijou, that our community is supporting. The current proposal was arrived at as a result of numerous consultations with a BWVRA neighbourhood advisory group. As shown, it will include greenery, a staircase to better navigate the downward slope and new seating areas. Final drawings will be made available once a Site Plan Approval is received from the City. This is another example of the BWVRA in action.
Let’s join neighborhoods across the GTA with a nightly thank you celebration at 7:30 pm from our front doorsteps and porches and from a safe distance, so the health care workers will hear our gratitude ringing from the rafters as part of #TogetherWeCanDoIt.
Beginning Thursday, March 19, 2020, at 7:30 p.m. local time and every evening going forward, the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario is asking everyone to cheer on the millions of health providers, social service and other essential front-line workers in Ontario, Canada and around the world who are tackling #COVID19.
While most City services continue to run normally, several will see changes including for example, yard waste pickup. Click here to read more.
“I was just looking at the BWVRA notice about the Humber/Riverview building. I have to commend the BWVRA on its continuing work to keep the village development to a reasonable level. The rendering of the proposed building is at least kept to mid-rise and the design at least has some interesting features that break up the glass box effect. I think that without the continuing pressure that the Association has wielded, BWV would look very different at this point. Well done!”
ES, Toronto
Our recent survey highlighted the local tree canopy is an important issue with Bloor West Village residents. If you are interested in having some help engaging the community in your tree initiative, LEAF is looking for community partners to collaborate with their Young Urban Forest Leaders (YUFL) program.
YUFL participants will work closely with a community leader over a five-month period (May to September) to host outreach events, plant native species, deliver community events, and educate the community on the importance of native plants for urban wildlife.
To learn more and apply, click here. The deadline for applications is Sunday, 5 April at 11:59 PM. You can also join LEAF for the YUFL Information Session on Thursday, March 12th (6:30 PM to 8:00 PM). Register for the event here.
Beginning at the end of February, Toronto Pearson will be conducting a one year study on routing incoming planes over Lake Ontario instead of residential areas like ours (subject to variances due to weather or maintenance). This is good news and should lead to quieter skis in the evenings. For more information, click here.
Click here to watch, courtesy of the local BIA.
Bike lanes along Bloor Street West is a topic that has resonated positively amongst our residents, accordingly to our last neighbourhood survey. We’ve made a copy of the complete 2019 Economic Impact study available here.
Some findings:
The number of businesses that reported 100 customers or more per day increased in the study area
After accounting for contributing factors (such as age, gender and proximity), visitors reported coming to Bloor three days more per month after the bike lane was installed
Walking remained the most popular travel choice, used by nearly half (48%) of visitors on Bloor, and driving is now the least (10%)