Leaside’s 110th Anniversary celebrations have begun!

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Leaside’s 110th Anniversary archival exhibit at the Leaside Library /A.B.

The archival exhibit has opened at the Leaside Library highlighting key aspects of Leaside’s evolution and history – such as early housing, the Thorncliffe Development and Racetrack, the Leaside Aerodrome, Police and Fire Protection, and industry and railways.

Leaside map, designed by local historian and cartographer John Naulls /A.B.

A centrepiece of the exhibit is a large map, designed by local historian and cartographer John Naulls, which details Leaside’s growth as a community from 1913-1934.

Leaside’s 110th Anniversary archival exhibit at the Leaside Library /A.B.

The exhibit also features pop-up exhibits from several established community organizations — including Leaside Memorial Community Gardens, Leaside High School Alumni Society and the Leaside Heritage Preservation Society.

“It’s so for people to be aware of Leaside’s role as one of Toronto’s most significant and historic communities,” says Geoff Kettel, an organizer of Leaside 110. “Leaside has a unique cultural heritage that is worth remembering and preserving. Events like this help ensure that it continues to thrive as a successful and livable community.”

The Moose over at Integracare is all dressed up for the occasion. Lookin’ good Flo!!

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Thorncliffe Park Tennis Club Open House – May 6th

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Thorncliffe Park Tennis Club /Instagram @thorncliffeparktennis

Thorncliffe Park Tennis Club Open house is Saturday, May 6th, 2023 at 1pm (rain date Sunday, May 7th, at 1pm). Children’s games and activities, meet the pros, food and refreshments — all welcome! 15 Leaside Park Drive. www.tptc.ca

TCHC bulldozed community garden on Broadway Ave

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Crystals brighten the gardens at 130 Broadway Avenue. (Bulldog photo, May 2020)

The 2,400-square-foot green space at 133 Broadway Avenue featured rows of flowers, lights and fountains plus unconventional touches, such as artsy mirrors, a koi pond, and 200-year-old terracotta urns. It is now a barren pile of dirt.

Read the whole story in The Star: A lush community garden in midtown Toronto was a source of peace and joy. Now, it’s a pile of dirt

The gardens at 130 Broadway Avenue (Captured from Google Streetview, August 2021)

After publication of the article in The Star, the Toronto Community Housing Corp. (TCHC) issued an apology:

Toronto-Leaside Rotary Club electronic recycling May 6 & 7

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On May 6th & 7th, 2023, the Toronto-Leaside Rotary Club will be conducting a collection of electronic items that will be recycled. The drop-off will be at the East York Town Centre on Overlea Blvd. The proceeds of the event will be used by the Rotary club to support charities. Acceptable electronic equipment include, but not limited to, VCRs. DVRs, computers, batteries, cables, etc., Please visit torontoleasiderotary.com for further information.

Plant swap for green thumbs — Banff Road on May 7th

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Attention garden enthusiasts! There will be a Plant Swap on Banff Rd on Sunday, May 7th, 2023. Share your seeds, cuttings, and transplants, with like-minded green fingered people. Make new plant friends, help the environment, and learn from each other.

When: Sunday May 7
Where: Jana’s neighbourhood garden space, on Banff Rd., just south of Eglinton.
Time: Noon to 6pm

St. Cuthbert’s Spring Book and Bake Sale – Sat., May 6th

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St. Cuthbert’s 2023 Spring Book and Bake Sale will be held on Saturday, May 6th, 2023 from 11am – 2pm. You can find them at 1399 Bayview Avenue. Shop for used books for kids, teens and adults. Don’t miss their freshly baked delights, preserves, jams and jellys. Plus browse through their collection of CDs, DVDs and LPs. Share the news with your family and friends. All proceeds will go toward St. Cuthbert’s Church.

Bayview-Leaside is coming alive!

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Our neighborhood is filled with colour, once again. The trees are returning the natural arbor over our streets and the gardens have begun to bloom. It is a beautiful scene. As one resident said today, “It is a gift!”

Spring in Leaside /A.B.
Spring in Leaside /A.B.
Spring in Davisville Village /S.B.
Spring in Davisville Village /S.B.
Spring in Leaside /A.B.
Spring in Davisville Village /S.B.
Spring in Leaside /A.B.
Spring in Davisville Village /S.B.

LUC 31st Annual Variety Show is Friday, Apr 28th

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Leaside United Church (amalgamated with Presteign-Woodbine United Church) will host their 31st Annual Variety Show on Friday, April 28th at 7:00pm.

Join them this Friday at Leaside United Church, 822 Millwood Road. The doors open at 6:30 pm. There will be light refreshments at intermission, and a Cash Bar before the show and during intermission.

Thorncliffe’s first BikeShare station installed on Tuesday

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It was a rainy Earth Day in the neighbourhood

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The rain did not dampen the spirits of the community groups and residents from doing their part to clean the parks in Leaside.

Photo gallery below includes members of St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church along with Rev. Canon Janet Read-Hockin during a downpour at Leaside Gardens. Community members, lead by ‘Don’t Mess with the Don‘ and citywide sponsors at E.T. Seton Park taking part in Earth Day 2023 Clean-Up.

/Photo by A.B.
/Photo by A.B.
/Photo by A.B.
/Photo by A.B.

Celebrate the Town of Leaside’s 110th anniversary in May!

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May 7, 2023 will mark the 110th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Leaside.

Leaside is one of Canada’s few truly planned communities, spearheaded by the Canadian Northern Railway (CNR) and originally designed by landscape architect Frederick Gage Todd using the principles of the Garden City. As our city and community continue to grow, it remains important to recognize and celebrate our “wonderful community within a city” that we are privileged to be a part of.

With the support of Leaside Life’s Geoff Kettel and a number of community organizations and advocates, a number of events have been created to celebrate the 110 milestone. Most events will take place in the month of May, including:

  • May 4-6: An archival exhibit at the Leaside Library
      The exhibit features historical and archival displays highlighting key aspects of Leaside’s evolution and history – such as Early Housing, the Thorncliffe Development and Racetrack, the Leaside Aerodrome, Police and Fire Protection, and Industry and Railways. A centrepiece of the exhibit will be a large map, designed by local historian and cartographer John Naulls, which details Leaside’s growth as a community from 1913-1934. The exhibit also features pop-up exhibits from several established community organizations — including Leaside Memorial Community Gardens, Leaside High School Alumni Society and the Leaside Heritage Preservation Society. “It’s so for people to be aware of Leaside’s role as one of Toronto’s most significant and historic communities,” says Geoff Kettel, an organizer of Leaside 110. “Leaside has a unique cultural heritage that is worth remembering and preserving. Events like this help ensure that it continues to thrive as a successful and livable community.”
  • May 19: A partnership event with Thorncliffe Park

Read more →

Mark your calendar: SEDRA’s 2023 AGM is Tues, May 2nd

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Mark Your Calendars for the South Eglinton Davisville Residents’ Association In Person 2023 Annual General Meeting.

Date: Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Time: 6:30pm-9:00pm
Location: Church of the Transfiguration, Sanctuary, 111 Manor Rd East (at Redpath)

Everyone is welcome! Masks are recommended and physical distancing will be encouraged. The AGM will be a fully in person event.

Since 1965, South Eglinton Davisville Residents’ Association (SEDRA), (formerly SERRA or South Eglinton Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association) has been the community advocate for South Eglinton/Davisville residents. Their goal is to inform and engage members of the South Eglinton Davisville neighbourhood and to advocate for community benefits, green space, heritage enhancement, and be a voice for the community, with a “place at the table” during development projects. Members who have paid their 2023 Annual Membership fee of $25 will have voting privileges during the AGM. You can pay for your membership online (via PayPal) or pay by cheque, card or cash in person.

Invited Speakers:

  • TDSB Trustee Shelley Laskin
  • Chair of TDSB & Trustee Rachel Chernos Lin
  • Councillor Jaye Robinson
  • Representative from Councillor Josh Matlow’s Office