Page 14 - HumberHappeningsMagazine_Spring2021

COMMUNITY NEWS
INVESTING IN OUR
Community
FROM THE DESK OF COUNCILLOR MARK GRIMES
TheCOVID-19pandemichashigh- lighted the importance of having quality outdoor spaces and ameni- ties.InHumberBay,wehavethisrightat our doorstep. With the continuing growth in our community, it is essential that we make investments to improve the use of these public spaces for area residents, and those in the broader community.
In September 2013, I moved a motion at Etobicoke York Community Council to ensurethattheHumberBayParkssystem can continue to meet the needs of our growing community. Completed in 2018, the Humber Bay Park Master Plan con- tains a list of small, medium, and large scale improvements that can be made in Humber Bay Park East and West. The Master Plan serves as a guide and estab- lishes a vision and design to protect and enhance the naturalized landscape, habitat and recreational uses in the Park. It seeks to improve safety and access to and from the park, and aims to ensure that the proposed small, medium and large scale improvements respond to the existing and future needs of the commu- nity. You can learn more about the Humber Bay Park Master Plan at www.toronto.ca/humberbayparks.
One of the
largest projects in
the Master Plan is
the construction
of a new commu-
nity multi-purpose
building and the
restoration of the
ponds in Humber
Bay Park East.
City staff are
completing the
designs, and are
undertaking some further studies on the site to help finalize the plans – the project is anticipated to be completed in 2023. The new building will be integrated into the landscape, to keep with the naturalized aesthetic of the area. The work on the ponds will be done to improve the water quality and to help prevent algae growth – I’m also pushing our staff to ensure that the refurbished ponds can be pro- grammed for winter skating. This is an exciting project that will provide our area with some much needed public space for small community meetings, events, and activities. Be sure to sign-up for my eNews at www.markgrimes.ca to stay up-to-date on this project.
Recently, the Toronto and Region Con- servation Authority (TRCA) completed the restoration of the shoreline at the foot of Palace Pier Court. In 2018, high winds and strong waves caused the displace- ment of armour stone along the shoreline; the damage was further exac- erbated by ice build-up in the winter of 2019. The new reinforced shoreline pro-
vides greater protection for long-term erosion control.
The City has also recently begun work to make the Air India Memorial in Humber Bay Park East accessible. We’re repaving a number of the pathways around the Memorial, and creating a ramp down to the site. Work also includes the replacement of vandalized plaques and repairing damage.
These types of projects complement a number of the existing improvements we’ve made to date in the community, such as the new multi-use trail. We have some spectacular public spaces in our neighbourhood, and we’re investing in our community to make our amenities better for current and future generations of residents. HH
Mark Grimes is the Councillor for Ward 3 Etobicoke-Lakeshore. He is a life-long resi- dent, activist and businessperson in south Etobicoke. He can be reached by email at councillor_grimes@toronto.ca, or by phone at 416-397-9273
14 HUMBER HAPPENINGS | SPRING 2021
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