On May 18, I held my first Community Environment Day for 2024 at Allan Gardens. I was pleased to see so many turn out to drop off their recycling, dispose of electronic and household hazardous waste and pick up free compost. The weather was perfect and it was amazing to see the efforts of City staff.
For those who were able to attend, I was happy to listen to your concerns and ideas for improving Ward 13. My staff was also on hand to speak to residents, serve delicious snacks and assist with compost collection.
Toronto Animal Services were at the event and examined 35 pets, microchipping 17 and giving anti-rabies vaccines to 24. Live Green Toronto offered information on the 2024 Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants to fund resident-let projects, activities and events that reduce emissions that contribute to climate change. Like all Environment Days, there is a lot of information provided, so I want to again thank all City staff who attended.
I want to provide a special thanks to the Friends of Allan Gardens, the stewardship group leading the revitalization of Allan Gardens, who were on hand to hand out free seeds and plants to visitors and promote their work. The Friends of Allan Gardens just launched their envisioning document for the future of the park in consultation with Parks, Forestry & Recreation. Their Growing with the City initiative has been in the works for years and is a result of careful consultation and community engagement. I am excited to bring some of these beautiful ideas to life. You can read the document at the Friends of Allan Gardens website; please take their survey and let them know what you think!
Community Environment Days are part of the City's Long-Term Waste Management Strategy, which aims to reduce the amount of reusable or recyclable waste going to landfills and ensure the safe disposal of household hazardous waste.
If you were unable to attend our Allan Gardens event, or if you did but want more free compost, please join us for my second Environment Day event at Regent Park on July 13. I look forward to seeing you this summer!
The Laneway Projects organization is asking you to identify some laneways in Ward 13 that needs love!
We have come a long way since the summer of 2023 when Allan Gardens was the largest encampment in the city.
I'm proud to once again be coming back to our community for this year's Neighbourhood Town Hall series!
