Vaccine Schedule, CaféTO Registration, & Home Smith Park Road ⚠

February 26, 2021

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Table of Contents

COVID-19 Vaccination Plan
Cancellation of In-Person Major Events Through July 1
EYCC Agenda
CaféTO Registration & Free Webinar
Online Survey - Review of Fireworks Bylaw
Home Smith Park Road Construction
Apply for a Job with Parks, Forestry, and Recreation !
Park People – InTO the Ravines Community Champion
Pesticide Use - Etobicoke Valley Park
Upcoming Community Meetings and Consultations
Infrastructure Projects
Community Events

Dear Neighbour,

COVID-19 Vaccination Plan

We all know that the COVID-19 vaccine presents new hope in our fight against this virus, and I'm sure many of you are asking "when can I get my shot?"

Each level of government has a role to play in this process. The federal government is responsible for approving and procuring vaccines. The provincial government is responsible for the creation of a provincial vaccination plan for distribution, and supporting health system partners to deliver them to residents. The City of Toronto will assist to distribute vaccine doses and help immunize residents.

The Province's vaccination program is divided into 3 Phases. The general timelines are on the chart below, but you can read the full vaccination plan here.

For more information on how the City is assisting with vaccination efforts, please visit here.

If you have further questions about the Province's distribution plan, please visit here or contact your local elected Member of Provincial Parliament Christine Hogarth at christine.hogarth@pc.ola.org

If you have further questions about the procurement or approvals by Health Canada, please visit here or contact your local elected Member of Parliament James Maloney at James.Maloney@parl.gc.ca

Cancellation of In-Person Major Events Through July 1

Earlier this week, the City announced the cancellation of in-person City-led and City-permitted major outdoor events to July 1^st, including Canada Day parades, festivals and fireworks, to help slow the spread of COVID-19. For more information on this, visit here.

EYCC Agenda

The agenda for the March 3^rd meeting of Etobicoke York Community Council has been published and is available here.

CaféTO Registration & Free Webinar

Local restaurant operators interested in an expanded curb lane or sidewalk café as part of CaféTO, can register between now and March 26. A free webinar will be held on Tuesday, March 2 at 9:30 a.m. To register for CaféTO, operators will need to complete the 2021 CaféTO certificate of insurance. Learn more about the enhanced CaféTO program and free webinar by visiting toronto.ca/cafeto.

Online Survey – Review of Fireworks Bylaw

As many of you know, last summer we experienced a significant spike in illegal use of fireworks in our parks, and these individuals has little regard for the impact on the local community. I went on an evening patrol with 22 Division and City Bylaw officers to witness first-hand the challenges that our enforcement bodies experience when trying to get a handle on these situations. In response to this, I moved a motion at City Council to request a review of the fireworks bylaw to see what more we can do.

Now, the City is undertaking this review. A survey is available until March 5 for residents to give feedback on fireworks regulations.

More information about the review and survey are available at toronto.ca/fireworks.

Home Smith Park Road Construction

As you may have noticed, Home Smith Park Road is closed for some essential construction work. This is part of a much larger project that is scheduled to be completed in May 2022, but the portion that requires the closure of Home Smith Park Road is anticipated to be completed in July 2021.

Why this work is being done: Required construction of a launching shaft and tunnel beneath the Humber River to install sanitary force main pipes. Existing sanitary force main pipes beneath the river are over 60 years old and are in danger of failing.

Why this work requires the road to be closed: The construction zone occupies Home Smith Park Road between the Humber River and the Humber Ravine slope. The road is utilized for heavy machinery to access and leave the construction site. Park area off of the road is not maintained. There is no available area for a safe route for pedestrians, and the closure is a necessary component of ensuring pedestrian safety throughout the construction duration in this area.

While Home Smith Park Road will be closed, there are some alternatives so that you can still get out and stay active:

Alternative #1: Within walking distance, King’s Mill Park is a beautiful park located south of Home Smith Park on the south side of Old Mill Road and on the west side of the Humber River.

Alternative #2: Within driving distance, James Gardens is located off of Edenbridge Dr to the north of Home Smith Park and is another maintained park with a large parking area and many beautiful trails.

I know this park and pathway are loved and well-used, but our goal is to complete the work and reopen the path as soon as possible. As with any project, I will work with City staff to reduce the impact on local residents and park-users. I did ask staff if accommodations could be made on weekends to permit access, but unfortunately it's not possible as there is no available space for a safe route for pedestrians around the work area. I will work with City staff to reopen access to the park ahead of schedule if there is an opportunity to do so safely.

Please don't try and create your own pathway through the area. This is dangerous for yourself, as well as some unknowing park users who may be unaware of the closure. Let's keep each other safe.

Apply for a Job with Parks, Forestry, and Recreation !

The City is looking for a wide range of skilled applicants from lifeguards and aquatic instructors to outdoor gardeners and parks handy-workers. The City is now accepting job applications for summer camps, aquatic and lifeguarding programs at the City’s outdoor pools and beaches and other recreation positions. Applications for gardeners and parks handy-workers for the City’s parks and green spaces will be accepted until March 27. Applications can be made online here.

More information can be found here.

Park People – InTO the Ravines Community Champion

Are you interested in becoming a ravine champion? Visit here to learn more, and apply by March 1^st !

Pesticide Use - Etobicoke Valley Park

Please be advised that Forestry staff will be performing a pesticide treatment in the Etobicoke Valley Park to control invasive plant species in the area, specifically the Norway Maple, Manitoba Maple, & Common Buckthorn. The work is anticipated to begin on March 2, and will take approximately a week to complete, depending on the weather. More information on the City's Urban Forestry Management plan can be found here.

Have a great weekend !!

Sincerely,

Mark

Walking in an area with no sidewalks?
Keep yourself aware of what's coming towards you - walk facing the
direction of oncoming traffic.

More pedestrian safety tips are available here.

Upcoming Community Meetings and Consultations

Infrastructure Projects

Six Points Interchange Reconfiguration

Visit here for a list of construction notices for Ward 3

Community Events & Resources

The events listed below are shared for informational purposes only. Inclusion of the subsequent listings does not constitute endorsement.

SUBMITTING EVENTS TO E-NEWS:
If you would like your community event shared in eNews, please send a short description of the event (75 words or less) to councillor_grimes@toronto.ca with subject line "Newsletter." If you are including a poster or image please ensure that it is a jpeg file. We do not post events that have not been shared with our office directly. Events must take place within the Ward 3 Etobicoke-Lakeshore boundaries.

Jason is collecting collecting messages of encouragement and passing them along to people to spread hope and cheer. He's sending these messages to people who have disabilities, live in long-term care facilities, work as health care professionals, or are in the military.

Visit here to leave a message of encouragement.

Montgomery's Inn Farmers Market goes Virtual
As Toronto has moved to the "Grey Lockdown" stage, farmers' markets are not currently permitted to operate indoors. Accordingly, the year-round farmers' market at Montgomery's Inn will be open for curbside pickups only until the lockdown is lifted.

Please continue to support local farmers and small food-producers while enjoying fresh veggies, meats, cheeses, and delicious prepared meals!

Make your purchases online from Thursday through Monday and pick up at the pick-up table outside the main entrance, facing the parking lot, of Montgomery's Inn (4709 Dundas St W) on Wednesdays from 2-6 pm.

To access the virtual market visit http://montgomerysinnovators.ca/virtual-farmers-market/