Have You Seen The Cooper's Hawks?

The Seaton Village Facebook page is abuzz about the Cooper's Hawks that live in Vermont Square Park.
After all, they are magnificent-looking winged creatures.
This is at least the third year that they've hung out in our local green space.
What a gift to have in our inner-city, urban midst!
Cheers,
Vanessa

Official Naming of Dennis Lee Playground In Vermont Square Park Today

The refurbished playground in Vermont Square Park officially will be named Dennis Lee Playground today at 5 pm and the honoree will be in attendance.
Here are the details from a City of Toronto invitation posted on the SVRA website:
"Dennis Lee Playground 
 Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2014 
 Time: 5 to 6 p.m. 
 Remarks: 5 p.m. 
 Location: Vermont Square Park 
 819 Palmerston Ave. (south of Dupont St) 
 City of Toronto representatives and Councillor Paula Fletcher, Chair of the 
 Toronto and East York Community Council will join members of the community to 
 celebrate the naming of the new playground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Dennis Lee is an accomplished Toronto writer who has written lyrics for CBC's 
 Fraggle Rock television series, the script for two Jim Henson films: The Dark 
 Crystal and Labyrinth and is most famous for writing Alligator Pie. 
 The playground includes: a large boat shaped climber for 5 to 12 year olds, a 
 small house shaped climber/structure for 2 to 5 year olds, swings, accessible 
 round-about, a natural play sand area with water tap."
 Cheers,
Vanessa

Seaton Village Update

It's been lovely park weather, up until today.
Park construction is nearing completion at Vermont Square. There is an update on the Seaton Village website.
It's great to see years and years of effort pay off and near fruition. Everyone involved deserves a huge, "Thank you!"
Cheers,
Vanessa

Get Your Dance On Sunday

You should head to Vermont Square Park Sunday at 4 pm for a Flock Landing dance session.
Just go. And enjoy!
Cheers,
Vanessa

Cooper's Hawks at Vermont Square

Big news for birders: Cooper's hawks are hanging out at Vermont Square and the ongoing construction doesn't seem to faze them one bit!
Calls for a hop over there to check them out.
Cheers,

Vanessa

P.S. Intrepid teen neighbourhood photographer James Beadle has shared his lovely image of the female Cooper's hawk with me so that I can share it with you. Great capture! And thanks, James.

Vermont Square Construction Has Begun

Work began yesterday on Vermont Square park. It's due to wrap up by June 28th.

The Seaton Village Residents' Association posted a couple of pics of construction underway.

Cheers,

Vanessa

Vermont Square Renewal Begins April 2

Great news: after many years of talks, planning and meetings, work is set to begin April 2nd on the playground at Vermont Square Park in Seaton Village.

No word yet on when the hoarding will come down and the hordes will get to play in it... one step at a time.

Cheers,

Vanessa

Vermont Square Park Renewal Meeting Feb 16th

A lot of love and labour has gone into redesigning Vermont Square park in Seaton Village.
After many years, shovels are due to hit the ground.
Want to know what's being built? Or when construction's due to happen in spring and fall? Then attend the Feb. 16th meeting at 6:30 pm in the Palmerston P.S. library.

Cheers,
Vanessa

Vermont Square Park Revitalization Open House Feb. 16th

This in from our councillor, Adam Vaughan:
"Vermont Square Park Revitalization Open House
The Seaton Village Residents' Association and the Vermont Square Park Renewal Committee are hosting an Open House to share the Phase One plan for the park:

Date: Thursday, February 16th, 2012
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Location: Palmerston Public School, Library, 7[34] Palmerston Ave
Many hours of hard work and dedication from the Vermont Square Park Renewal Committee and park neighbours have brought us here. Please join your neighbours to review the Phase One plan and ask any questions you may have.
Construction will begin in April, 2012."

Cheers,

Vanessa

Seaton Village Playground Written Up

A lot of effort has gone into the redesign of our area's playgrounds, including the one at Vermont Square.

The Globe has a good article about what to expect for the new play space.

Cheers,

Vanessa

Park Plans

I'm impressed by our local councillor, Adam Vaughan, and would love to see him take the reins as mayor of Toronto one day.
Fingers crossed.
In the meantime, he has put a lot of effort -- along with many, many volunteers -- into improving our ward's parks. So let's take a moment to say thank you to him and to all the people who spend hours selflessly toiling behind computers, or at dull or tense meetings, or literally in the trenches to make life better for all of us. Thank you!
Some of the fruits of their labours are becoming evident. Construction has been underway at Sibelius Square for a few months now. And this tidbit is from Councillor Vaughan's latest newsletter:
"Vermont Square Park
Plans are complete and work will begin later this summer on Vermont Square Park.
Playground enhancements, an art bench, and improved paths are part of phase one, for this year. Next summer, upgrades to other areas of the park will include an enhanced tree canopy, irrigation of the central field area, additional seating, and a ‘porch’ along the south wall of Bill Bolton arena.
The wading pool in the playground area will be opened on June 30 and will be fully staffed until construction begins in the late summer. The wading pool will be open through the August long weekend.
The playground committee spearheaded a proposal to name the playground within the park the “Dennis Lee Playground” in honour of the poet laureate, children’s writer, author, and long time local resident Dennis Lee. After receiving consent from Mr. Lee, support from the neighbourhood, and approval from the Residents’ Association, Toronto and East York Community Council unanimously approved the name!
To connect with The Seaton Village Residents’ Association, visit their website at: http://seatonvillage.ca.”
Cheers,
Vanessa