Ashbridge neighbourhood events June 3-4, 2017 – Duke Fun Fair, Craft Beer at Ashbridge Estate, more

Lots going on this weekend at the Ashbridge Estate and nearby.

Saturday June 3
11-3
Duke of Connaught Fun Fair. Lots of fun. Also, you can sign the petition to keep the city’s swim programs alive at our local pool — S.H. Armstrong.

12-8
The Art of Craft Beer at the Ashbridge Estate.

10-8 (also Sunday)
Vintage clothing sale at the VandenBerg House, 1400 Queen East.

Sunday June 4
9-2
Farmers’ market, Jonathan Ashbridge Park.

And not too far away, this weekend there are art walks – Riverdale and Kingston Road.

Farmers’ markets at Jonathan Ashbridge Park, Greenwood Park

This summer we have two local markets, at Jonathan Ashbridge Park, Queen East at Woodward, Sundays starting May 28 from 9 to 2, then on Wednesdays starting May 31 at Greenwood Park from 3 to 7.

Three Jane’s Walks in the Ashbridge’s neighbourhood – Saturday May 6, 2017

On Saturday May 6, take part in a Jane’s Walk to learn about interesting parts of our city, including our neighbourhood. There are three walks in our area on May 6 — two starting at 10 a.m. and another one at 1 p.m.

Living in our laneways
Meet at 1374 Queen Street East – The Sidekick Cafe
Saturday May 6, 2017, 10 a.m., two hours
Led by Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon

Take a stroll down some quaint lanes in Toronto’s east end with Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon, Councillor Ana Bailao’s Executive Assistant, City Planning, Lanescape, and Evergreen as we discuss our initiative to create a Laneway Suites policy in the city of Toronto!

Where Will the Next Generation Live?
Meet at 151 Hiawatha Road
Saturday May 6, 2017, 10 a.m., two hours
Led by Joy Connelly

Blue collar workers used to live on my east end street. Now houses sell for $1.2 Million and up. I couldn’t afford to buy or rent on my own street today, and neither could my kids. We can’t go on like this. While the Federal and Provincial Governments discuss tax policy and rent controls, let’s talk about what local governments and local citizens can do — from second suites to inclusionary zoning to community land trusts — to make housing

Ashbridge’s Neighbourhood – since 1793.
Meet at Ashbridge’s Bay skatepark, Coxwell at Lake Shore Blvd.
Saturday May 6, 2017, 1 p.m., 1.5 hours
Led by Robert Miller

Take a stroll up Ashbridge’s Creek – one of the hidden streams of east end Toronto. We will stroll up from the bay. What is Ashbridge’s Bay today? What was it in 1793? Who were the Ashbridges? Why is there a historic house on Queen East with a huge expanse of lawn? Guess a few of the names that the Ashbridge’s neighbourhood has been called in the last 100 years.

See a complete list and map of Jane’s Walks in Toronto.

The Ashbridge’s baby willow lives on – photos of the giant willow that went down September 29, 2016

If you go by the Ashbridge Estate on Queen Street East, and you see a large willow tree, you might wonder: didn’t I hear that the big willow tree fell down? Yes it did, on September 29, 2016 in high winds. For years, its trunk was showing signs of severe rot, so its fall was a matter of time.

It lived for 97 years, about 20 more than the average lifespan for a weeping willow. At least that’s what a forester friend told me.

What about the tree you see now, in the photo below? It’s the baby of the old tree, but the baby is more like a teenager now, already taking its place on the estate, growing in the moist earth above the Ashbridge’s Creek, now buried under its roots.

Scroll down to see a couple of photos of the old tree, taken today September 30, 2016.
Also see the article in the Toronto Star by Evelyn Kwong, who I enjoyed speaking with last night:
Beloved 97-year-old weeping willow crashes on Ashbridge’s Estate

And a photo of the old tree about a year ago, by our local ace photographer Diane Walton:
The Great Toronto Tree Hunt – vote for your favourite tree, such as the willow on the Ashbridge Estate

And:
The Ashbridge Estate’s giant willow has gone down – September 29, 2016

Ashbridge willow down – photo September 30, 2016 by Robert Miller

“Baby” willow, now a teenager, growing strong in front of the empty space left behind by its now-deceased parent.

Ashbridge Estate willow, planted 1919, down September 2016.

In March 2016 the giant willow, right, was showing deterioration in its trunk. Looking north to Duke of Connaught School from the back yard of the Ashbridge Estate.

Flea market at the Ashbridge Estate and farmers’ market at Jonathan Ashbridge Park — August 21, 2016

Last Sunday August 21 our neighbourhood was a happening place, with two events in full swing — the flea market at the Ashbridge Estate and the farmers’ market at Jonathan Ashbridge Park. Here are some photos.

Michelle Rosetta of Bee23 makes and sells all kinds of great skin care products. She created her own line of products and sells them directly at locations like the Ashbridge Estate.

Flea market at the Ashbridge Estate, 1444 Queen Street East.

Flowers in full bloom in front of the Ashbridge Estate.

Flea market at Ashbridge Estate – giant willow and Duke of Connaught school in the background.

Farmers’ market at Jonathan Ashbridge Park, August 21, 2016.

Wading pool at Jonathan Ashbridge Park, August 21, 2016.

New entry “structure” (maybe a bench is coming?) at the northwest entrance to Jonathan Ashbridge Park. In the background Queen Street East at Kent Road.

The band gets ready to play at the farmers’ market, Jonathan Ashbridge Park August 21, 2016.

Ashbridge Estate hosts curated flea market – third Sunday of every month until October

Back at the Ashbridge Estate, 1444 Queen Street East, — a curated, monthly market selling vintage, salvaged, up-cycled goods, furniture, antiques, collectibles and handcrafted goods.

From June-October, 10am-5pm 3rd Sunday of the month:

Sunday, June 19th

Sunday, July 17th

Sunday, August 21st

Sunday, September 18th

Sunday, October 16th

Bridal wreath spirea in full flower at the Ashbridge Estate

June 1, 2016
Front porch of the Ashbridge Estate, 1444 Queen Street East, Toronto.
Photo by Diane Walton.

Ashbridge Precinct urban design guidelines

Click on the image below to see the Ashbridge Precinct Urban Design Guidelines.
See also: Your chance to comment on the city planning report: Ashbridge Precinct, Queen Street East

Your chance to comment on the city planning report: Ashbridge Precinct, Queen Street East

The city’s Ashbridge Precinct urban design guidelines will have an impact on future development on Queen Street from Leslie to Coxwell. You can comment by e-mail or in person at City Hall next Tuesday January 19.

Some of you may have participated in community meetings on this topic at S.H. Armstrong. See the city’s Ashbridge Precinct page for the history of this study. One of the city staff recommendations: “research and evaluate properties on Queen Street East in the Ashbridge Precinct, located between Leslie Street to Coxwell Avenue, for inclusion on the City’s Heritage Register.”

See the city staff report: Queen Street East/Ashbridge Precinct Planning Study-
City-Initiated Official Plan Amendment and Urban Design Guidelines– Final Report

It will be on the agenda at the January 19 meeting of Toronto and East York Community Council, 10 a.m., Committee Room 1, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen West.

See the Ashbridge Precinct agenda item which says:

“This report summarizes the outcome of the Queen Street East/Ashbridge Precinct Planning Study; provides a draft City-initiated Official Plan Amendment for the study area; and recommends approval of the area-specific Queen Street East/Ashbridge Precinct Urban Design Guidelines to guide development within the study area.”

“Recommendations
The City Planning Division recommends that:

1. City Council amend the Official Plan, for the lands fronting on Queen Street East between Leslie Street and Coxwell Avenue substantially in accordance with the draft Official Plan Amendment attached as Attachment No. 4 to the report (December 15, 2015) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

2. City Council adopt the Urban Design Guidelines attached as Attachment No. 5 to the report (December 15, 2015) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

3. City Council request the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services, Urban Design, City Planning Division to research and evaluate properties on Queen Street East in the Ashbridge Precinct, located between Leslie Street to Coxwell Avenue, for inclusion on the City’s Heritage Register.

4. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Official Plan Amendment as may be required.”

These are the guidelines that will shape the future development of the area. This meeting is your last chance to be heard regarding this very important issue. You may also submit written comments.

To address the Toronto and East York Community Council in person or in writing contact : City Clerk, Attention Rosalind Dyers, Administrator, Toronto and East York Community Council, 100 Queen St. West, 2nd floor,Toronto M5H 2N2 email: teycc@toronto.ca fax 416 397-0111.

If you plan to make comments at the meeting call the City Clerk’s office by 12 p.m. on Monday January 18, 2016 — 416-392-7033.
Next step would be consideration by City Council on February 3, 2016, subject to the actions of the Toronto and East York Community Council.

Launch of the Attic Arts Hub at 1402 Queen East — January 12, 2016

The new Attic Arts Hub launches January 12, 2016 at 1402 Queen, east of Greenwood. This looks like a great addition to our neighbourhood.

Attic Arts Hub Facebook page

Launch event on Facebook