Playground, ravines and waterfront are a priority

It was wonderful to see so many of you at the Port Union Waterfront Festival in June! I hope everyone had a relaxing summer and students are enjoying the return to school. 

This year was declared the Year of the Garden by City Council and I was happy that we were able to mark the occasion with so many beautiful gardens in our community. Thank you to all those who nominated a garden in their neighbourhood. I also continued to stay busy at City Hall, with several projects being advanced in our area.

Wanita Park Improvements

The City is improving the playground in Wanita Park (Meadowvale Road and Lawrence Avenue East). After a public survey was completed in August, the detailed design work will begin this fall. Construction is scheduled for the summer of 2023.

The redesigned playground is proposed to include:

  • Playground equipment for ages two to 12
  • Additional seating
  • Engineered wood fibre playground surfacing
  • Accessible play equipment and an accessible pathway connecting to the playground area.

Thank you to those who completed the survey. Project updates will be available at toronto.ca/wanita.

Ravine Strategy Implementation and Waterfront Repairs

Since my election, I have advocated for funding towards our Ravine Strategy and the creation of a city-wide trail network. In July, I was pleased to join Mayor Tory, MP Anandasangaree and MPP Thanigasalam in the Highland Creek Valley to highlight the City of Toronto, Government of Canada and Province of Ontario partnership to enhance Toronto’s Ravine Strategy.

Since 2020, the City has secured $47.9 million in ravine funding from the federal and provincial governments. In that time, City staff have managed 720 hectares of land for invasive species; removed 252 tonnes of garbage from 333 hectares of ravine land and engaged more than 6,200 people in ravine events and programs.

Key projects in Scarborough include:

  • Constructing a new trail connection from The Meadoway to Highland Creek Trail, creating a vibrant expanse of urban greenspace and meadowlands
  • Improving existing trails through Taylor Creek Park and the Scarborough Waterfront, including trail reconstruction and rehabilitation of pathway systems
  • Installing new trail wayfinding signage in ravines at the Upper Highland Trail and The Meadoway, improving accessibility for ravine users
  • Protecting and restoring the trail at Highland Creek from erosion
  • Improving natural infrastructure in Priority Investment Areas by restoring wetlands at Morningside Park

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is also completing major maintenance work on an existing erosion control structure along Lake Ontario within Port Union Waterfront Park. This work will help protect against the hazards of shoreline erosion and address public safety concerns along the Waterfront Trail.

We’re Here to Work for You

My office continues to serve our residents. Please email me at councillor_mckelvie@toronto.ca with any questions or concerns.

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