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The Future Of The Park

posted November 25, 2005

The City Parks and Rec Department called a surprise meeting about the future of the park for November 7 2005. We couldn't find out for sure what the meeting was about, but couldn't rule out, from what we learned, that Parks and Rec was intending to impose a formal governance structure. This worried us. In the end, the meeting was just a confirmation of what many had been saying anyway: things work well, but we could use some more city support.

This page lists the notices that were posted.


posted November 24, 2005

Article about Dufferin Grove Friends in Now Magazine: Dufferin Grove all fired up ("Anarcho Hive"). An article about the meeting regarding the future of the park.

posted November 21, 2005

Local Councillor Adam Giambrone will be at Friday Night Supper Friday December 9 for the whole time (6:00 - 7:30), to talk to people.


posted November 8, 2005

Results of the November 7, 2005 City Meeting about the Future of the Park:

posted November 8, 2005

Friends of Dufferin Grove Park invite Councillor Giambrone to Friday Night Supper.
Friday November 25, 2005 in the rinkhouse. A friendly and frank talk.

As posted on the Dufferin Grove Friends email list service

Dear park friends,

I'm almost allergic to meetings, so I was all the more astonished last night that so many people gave up much of their evening to come and sit under ugly fluorescent lights and try to decode/ stave off whatever difficulty might be on the menu at that St.Mary's meeting. Like Kim Fry wrote in her earlier e-mail, I was also surprised by how many familiar faces there were -- faces that I haven't seen for a while because of what Kim calls the "shoulder seasons," when people stay inside more. Even though many of us hardly know one another, it is a pleasant shock to see all those familiar faces in one room, and new faces too! For me it was also a shock of admiration -- for the grit that it takes for all those people to leave a warm house or cafe on a dark November night on behalf of our neighbourhood commons.

I hope we don't have to do a meeting like that again for a very long time, but that admiration for my gritty neighbours will warm me through the winter. Kim wants to continue or deepen the conversations between neighbours. Her idea may turn into a council or it may turn into an "open corner" conversation during/after Friday Night Suppers -- whatever she wants to put together.

But for the first Friday Night Supper of the winter season I'd like to invite Councillor Giambrone and see if he wants to explain himself. As many of you know, there are some credible rumours that it was Mr.Giambrone who put us through that meeting last night, without wanting that to be known. It certainly seems that City staff's explanations last night of "City Council demands" are fairly weak, since they seem not to be applied much elsewhere.

In the past few weeks I have heard a fair bit of dissatisfaction with our councillor, as he must realize too. It's his first time at City Hall, and he's dropped some important balls and stirred up some troubles. At the same time, the chaos at City Hall may be approaching a critical point, and it's no wonder that our elected representative gets into difficulty -- anyone would.

A frank conversation, not unfriendly but also not evading the specific issues, would perhaps clear the air. If the councillor could get some helpful critique of his actions (not only re the park), and also have a chance to give some thoughtful explanations, maybe he would benefit and so would his constituents.

The first Friday Night Supper was scheduled for Nov.25, the day we were originally told would be the first day of the rink season. We've since found out that all the rinks will open two weeks later. I think we should restart the suppers on the original date anyway -- there's nothing to prevent a good dinner and candles -- and there's nothing to prevent a stimulating dinner conversation, around a couple of the tables, with City Councillor Giambrone, for whoever wants to take part. I'll report back if the councillor accepts the invitation.

Jutta

P.s. maybe there can also be a puppet show for the kids, and if there's frost, maybe we can spray some water on the rink surface for a slide, certainly there can be a campfire.....other ideas?

P.p.s. if you want to contact City Hall about the rink opening:

and the current chair of the Economic Development and Parks Committee:

and those councillors who voted for the 2001 rink season to be cut to ten weeks a year (still on the books):

Maybe they'd like to fix their mistake.

I've attached my rink information pamphlet, if you want to pass it along to any of these folks.

Jutta Mason

posted November 8, 2005

November 7 meeting about future of Dufferin Grove Park comes and goes.
No external governance structure imposed; well established concerns re-stated

[ed.] There were over 100 people at the Nov 7 meeting, who mostly re-iterated support for the park and the issues that have been raised by the Friends of Dufferin Grove Park (eg. rink opening, park budget, park path paved). A couple of new ideas: a leash free zone or time for dogs; and a natural ice skating rink. About half of the people drifted away during the meeting, when they realized there would be no externally imposed governance structure, and most of the ideas had already been presented to the city through other means.

City staff have indicated that they would forward to us the minutes that they recorded, and we will publish them here when we receive them.


posted November 8, 2005

The Friends of Dufferin Grove Park distribute supplementary information at meeting
Rink issues; City spending issues; Budget for "Community Centre without walls"

The Friends of Dufferin Grove Park distibuted three "newsletter inserts" at the November 7, 2005 City meeting about the future of Dufferin Grove Park:

- Rink petition: In April 2001, the Budget Committee recommended a major cut in the rink season in their budget. They called for "harmonization" of the rink season across the city, so that our 47 compressor-run neighborhood outdoor ice rinks would be open only ten weeks a year. City Council voted for the cut, on the grounds that people could skate at indoor arenas during the time lost outdoors. Read more >>

- Where the money goes – and maybe shouldn't: When city staff say they can’t open the rinks because they have no money, CELOS researchers say: we have some suggestions. Redirect your spending. This little research group has been looking into where the Parks, Forestry and Recreation funds go (they have an annual budget of over $220 million). Doing this research is like pulling teeth, there are so many secrets. Here are some examples of what CELOS researchers have learned. Read more >>

- How much does it cost to run a community centre without walls?: The Parks and Rec General Manager said this was an "interesting idea". We're waiting for some followup... Read more >>


posted November 8, 2005

Councillor Giambrone sends a letter to Dufferin Grove Park Area Residents
Sends regrets for not attending Nov 7 meeting, promises followup on several matters

From the letter:

I wanted to be with you to participate in tonight's discussion, but I'm unfortunately unable to attend. I hope you'll welcome Erika Manata from my office, who is attending on my behalf, and will let me know what happens. Read more >>


posted October 31, 2005

Open Letter to the Friends of Dufferin Grove Park:

Worrisome Meeting

All,

I am writing to call your attention to an upcoming meeting to discuss the future of Dufferin Grove Park, on Monday, November 7th at 7pm, at St. Mary Secondary School, 66 Dufferin Park Avenue. The poster says,

''"The purpose of the meeting is to discuss a framework for setting future directions for the Park use."''

When I read that, I feel somewhat alarmed, for at least two reasons:

1) I read "framework" to be "governance structure" and am worried about how such structures have worked against innovation and action in other parks;

2) It seems to me that this park already has its own unique way of deciding its own "future directions" and doesn't need help from the city for this.

I do think the city should be requesting meetings with the friends and neighbours of Dufferin Grove Park, so that they can learn how we make this park such a vital and exciting place, and how they can help other neighbourhood communities develop their own rich community gathering places. With our farmers' market, Friday night suppers, and community-supported building projects (the ovens and cob wall), you might agree that we have a lot of expertise to share with the city.

We do need the city's help in many other areas, namely to open our rink in a timely fashion and to provide the park with an adequate budget to operate it like the "community centre without walls" that it has become. Maybe we can ask them about these issues at the meeting.

I am asking you to come to the meeting to lend your voice in support of the organic way that Dufferin Grove Park has evolved, and to declare your confidence in its continuing ability to do so.

I note that the picture on the poster (attached) seems to be of some other park. If this is an indication of an attitude that all parks are interchangeable, then the city does indeed have a lot to learn from us. The poster says that "your input is valued and appreciated". Let's go and find out if that is really true.

I have just heard that there will be child care at the meeting, so feel free to bring your kids. Thanks for your time.

The Parks & Rec poster talks about RSVPs, so it would be wise to send your attendance confirmation to Tino Decastro at tdecastr@toronto.ca. I think that there is room for 150 people at the meeting, and I would be sorry if attendance was limited to those who had called or emailed ahead.

Georgie Donais
Project leader
www.cobinthepark.ca

PS: If you are as concerned as I am, please consider phoning three friends to let them know about this meeting, and to ask them to phone three friends.


posted October 27, 2005

Dufferin Grove Park named Best Community Park by NOW magazine (third item on linked page).


posted October 19, 2005

Surprise City Meeting About Dufferin Grove Park

Called by Parks, Forestry, & Recreation, at St. Mary's School, Monday November 7, 2005, 7:00pm

See the flyer being distributed by Parks & Rec.: Read more >>

The day after the rink petition began making the rounds, Tino DeCastro sent over a poster to the park. It said that on November 7 there will be a meeting at St.Mary’s High School to "discuss a framework for setting future directions for the Park use." It would be chaired by one of the managers from the office of Shirley Hoy, who is Toronto’s Chief Administrative Officer. We contacted this manager to find out more. She said she's planning to bring along some "Organization Effectiveness Consultants" to help. Help with what? She couldn't say yet, but as soon as we find out, it will be in the newsletter.


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