Dear HVVRA members,
We hope everyone has been enjoying their summer! As we prepared for the fall, below is a quick newsletter to get you up to date on the happenings in Humber Valley Village!
Sincerely,
HVVRA Board of Directors
Aug 28, 2024
BUTTONWOOD HILL PARK UPDATE
In June, and again in July, the HVVRA President Anne Anderson made a deposition at the City of Toronto’s Executive Committee where she argued against the “Create TO” proposal to convert over one-third of Buttonwood Park to allow the build of a Somali Centre for Culture and Recreation (SCCR) and auxillary parking for upwards of 100 cars.
The Buttonwood Hill community includes the former Plant World site, where over 2000 condominium units are currently under construction and where 6000+ new residents will see the park as an integral part of their neighbourhood – essentially their ‘backyard’.
The HVVRA has worked shoulder-to-shoulder with Buttonwood Hill Residents’ Association (BHRA) and Ward 2 Councillor Stephen Holyday, to
convince the Executive Committee to find an alternate location for the Centre, rather than paving over lovely, open green space.
In our view, and those of BHRA and Councillor Holyday, there are many commercial plazas and publicly owned buildings in Etobicoke that could
readily provide a venue for the SCCR.
As HVVRA President said in her July 16 deputation:
“Council should be a fierce guardian of our parks, not a landlord.”
In late July, BHRA was assured an alternate location had been secured. We DO NOT have confirmation of this. Moreover, this matter has been deferred to the October Executive Committee meeting for further discussion and any decision has to go to City Council for a vote.
So, if you have a “Save the Park” lawn sign, please keep it up. As the saying goes, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”
We will keep you posted.
Please see the videos below of HVVRA President Anne Anderson speaking at the Executive Committee in support of saving our parkland. While we support the Somali Community in their quest for a Centre for Culture and Recreation, we oppose public parkland being developed.
June 18, 2024 Executive Committee link <here>
HVVRA begins at 6:20:56
July 16, 2024 Executive Committee link <here>
HVVRA begins at 5:25:14
SAVE THE DATE!
Sept. 15, 2024 11.30 amOnce again, the HVVRA is partnering with Humber Valley United Church (HVUC) to bring residents a great way to kick off the start of fall – the annual BBQ & Fun Fair!We are happy to support HVUC by providing the Bouncy Castle and some ‘People Power’ to help at the event.
Hopefully the weather will be great, and we’ll see lots of Humber Valley Village residents and their families at the event. Everyone is welcome!
It’s always a happy time. See you there!
Edgehill House Update
61 Edgehill Rd
The HVVRA has met on several occasions with Councillor Stephen Holyday and park officials about the maintenance of the property and house. We are pleased to report progress in a number of areas:
- Extensive pruning of dead branches from some of the bigger trees this spring.
- Repair of the stone wall that surrounds “The House”
- Rewiring and replacement of the lights on the stone pillars.
This has really improved the safety for those on the property in the evening hours as well as those walking along Edgehill Rd.
Edgehill House is again hosting children’s summer camps this year. Drop off and pick up seem to be going smoothly.
While there remains some pruning to do after a large tree came down by the stairs to the gardens, the completion of these projects has been a long-awaited improvement in the safety and attractiveness of the park.
Medical Clinic (Montgomery Plaza) Update
In April, we advised residents of HVVRA about our letter of objection to the Committee of Adjustment regarding the application for a Medical Clinic at 4740-42 Dundas St. West.
Our concern was the application to change (minimize) parking spaces on the site, that would result in an overflow of cars on to Dundas, Chestnut Hills Circle and nearby side streets. We viewed this as a serious safety issue for drivers, patients, ECI students and pedestrians in the immediate vicinity. Many residents in the area had written to the Board expressing similar concerns.
We wrote to Drs. Laura and Garry Thomas, the owners of the unit of the plaza directly, and asked a series of questions about their plans. Director (Membership) Dr. Susan Harrison-Kanko thoughtfully lead this initiative.
In early July, Drs. Thomas responded indicating they had scaled back their operation so there would be fewer patients on a daily basis. Furthermore, they are taking steps to ensure parking spaces in the plaza are clearly marked, including the provision of handicap parking and Wheel-Trans, and appropriate signage for all plaza patrons and clinic patients.
While not a perfect solution, the HVVRA Board saw the importance of balancing the parking deficiency with the need for a new medical clinic in the area. Consequently, HVVRA withdrew its objection.
The Committee of Adjustment has subsequently approved the parking deficiency, and the medical clinic will soon be in operation.
Kids are back to school on Tuesday!
Drivers–please watch your speed and watch out for our children!
Humber Valley United Church Activities for 55+
For ongoing activities for the over 55 crowd, please click <here>