Over 30 West Hill residents attended the May Executive Meeting of the Coronation Community Association of West Hill to express concerns about plans to construct a Splash Pad at Eastview Park.
Residents were worried about increased noise levels, a decrease in park cleanliness and personal safety issues should the splash pad be constructed so close to their homes.
In response to their concerns City Councilor Paul Ainslie committed to the planting of mature trees to cut down on noise levels, increased vigilance in maintaining Park cleanliness having a safety audit conducted at the proposed building site.
The Audit was held on Tuesday June 3, 2008 at Eastview Park. Residents came out to express their safety concerns to Constable Bill Campbell, Crime Prevention and Adult Program Coordinator Leslie Chitra and City Parks Department staff. Also present were Coronation Community Association President Barry Fraser, Vice President Ron Wooton, membership Chair Bess King and Neighbourhood Representative Ed King.
The results of the audit are currently being addressed by city staff.
Councilor Ainslie asks if residents with any park safety concerns to please share them with his office and they will be forwarded to City staff to address.
The Eastview splash pad is one of two being built in West Hill. The other one will be in Morningside Park. A splash pad has been operating behind the Morningside Library at Heron Park for several years.
Both are being built by the same contractor and are scheduled to be opened by August 1, 2008. The Councilor feels both should provide a welcome addition for neighbourhood children, who have limited pool recreational services in the area.
They came out in their thousands to celebrate the opening of the latest section of the Trans Canada Trail. Mothers carrying infants in pouches and pushing carriages, fathers dressed for African safaris, skate boarders, dog walkers, police, serious joggers and children everywhere.
This new section stretches from Port Union 5 km along the shores of Lake Ontario to East Points Park in West Hill.
One of the big fire boats from Toronto Harbour sat off shore blowing huge streams of water high in the air, a great ferris wheel lifted excited children above the roof tops, local bands gave back to back concerts, a tipi had been erected on the high point of the park and food was being consumed at a furious rate. A splash pad was filled with screaming children and booths of every kind advertised local activities.
Linda and I walked the Trail to Highland Creek and back. Once we left Port Union Common, the crowds dropped away and we were able to enjoy the beauty of the new waterfront pathway, being passed frequently by dedicated joggers, bikers and the rush of roller bladers.
The Port Union section of Toronto's Waterfront Trail now connect this community with the West Hill Community where I live. It winds its way along the waterfront to Highland Creek and then climbs above the beach at the foot of the Scarborough Bluffs where it connects to the extensive trails running through Col Danforth and Morningside Parks..
The creation of a Trans Canada Trail, of which the Toronto Waterfront Trail system forms a part, was announced as part of Canada's 125th anniversary celebrations in 1992. At 18,078-kilometres (11,233 mi), it is expected to become the longest recreational trail in the world.
It has its counterparts in other greenway routes like the 12 EuroVelo routes and the USA's East Coast Greenway.
To date it has been funded largely by Canadian Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments. However, there have also been corporate donors and individual donors.
Linda and I walk the path beside the waters of Lake Ontario, the ground beside us beginning its slow rise to become the Scarborough Bluffs as a stream of pretty girls on roller blades glide past us, laughing and excited and full of life.
The Trail is now 70% complete
Something very special is being born across this country. And today we are part of its celebration.
Our thanks to City Councilor Ron Moeser and the Port Union Waterfront Committee for a job well done.
Following the sale of Millie's House to Habitat for Humanity, Millie Travener has confirmed that Sister Restaurant has also been sold.
Sisters Restaurant is facing a huge change but Millie has secured a promise from the new owners that the staff would remain.
Millie's mother purchased the restaurant, then a small truck stop, back in 1956 and named it Millies. When, Millie's sister Maria joined them in the business it was expanded and renamed Sisters.
With the passing of her mother and sister, Millie has been running the restaurant together with her son Jeff for many years.
Sisters legendary Jazz nights brought a taste of the downtown to the suburbs.
Millie is planning to travel, read and run a few more marathons!
