Letters – March 2016

When reading Leaside Life this month, I was very interested in the book Mobilize! Why Canada Was Unprepared for the Second World War, by Larry Rose.

My family immigrated to Canada from China two years ago, and we currently live in Hyde Park on Aerodrome Cres.

We love the Leaside community greatly; one of the reasons of which is Leaside Life. I read it with immense interest every month and occasionally have shared great stories about our community with my relatives and friends in China, such as the touching volunteer efforts on Slow Down, Kids at Play signage, which struck a chord in them as well.

My daughter Emily Xu’s photo for the Wonders of Winter competition at Bessborough school was published in your March edition last year. It’s something we’re still excited about even today!

Although our home is located on the edge of Leaside, each month when I open the mail box and find Leaside Life is there, I feel grateful that we are not marginalized by this community. I’d like to take the opportunity to say “thank you”!.

Jovial Si
Aerodrome Cres.


My family and I recently moved into the new condos on Brian Peck Cres. Like many neighbourhoods in the city, Leaside is going through a growth spurt with new families with young children moving in. With all the construction Leaside will look very different in a few years; green spaces will be lacking.

I propose a park revitalization for the Leonard Linton park on Vanderhoof Ave. From Laird Dr. to the end of Wicksteed Ave. there is only this little parkette serving as green space. Won’t it be wonderful to have a kids’ playground and outdoor workout park for residents of all ages to benefit from?

The park is already being used by skateboarders, dog walkers and occasionally basketball players; however, adding these additional facilities where all residents can take advantage would provide so many health benefits, but, most importantly, also foster a sense of community which is often scarce in and around apartment buildings.

My family and I would like to know what can be done to make this project come to life. We are ready to knock on condo doors, talk to the board of directors and others who live close to the park or work in nearby businesses to judge the interest of our neighbours to make this happen in the near future.

Prisca Ng and Family
Brian Peck Cres.


I read with interest your article about surveying Leasiders for their opinions about further condo development, etc., in the area.

One major concern for me is schools. All those  in the area are close to (if not already at) capacity. Are the city, school boards and the province even taking this into consideration when allowing further development? It is not just single people buying into these developments.

I do hope that if the LPOA does carry out a survey that this is one of the questions posed to the neighbourhood.

Bronwyn Gray
Leaside Park Dr.


I would like to comment on two articles from your February issue: What Happened to Boxing Day? on Page 5 and Will Ashworth’s article on Page 26. I totally agree with both, which were well written.

From my first-hand experience concerning retail shopping hours on Bayview — my office is at Bayview and Moore — there have been many occasions when I have gone up to the shops on Bayview around 6 p.m. or shortly after to purchase bread and other items only to find the store(s) closed.

I have gone into Cumbrae’s at around 5:20 or 5:30 only to find that the front counter food selections have been removed; it is very apparent the staff are trying to get out of there ASAP.

I have asked, “Are you still open?” They respond yes and ask what I would like. It’s hard to decide when there is nothing to see or choose from and the environment is not welcoming in any way. Everyone is busy putting things away well before the actual closing time.

I have gone to the hardware store (not sure if it’s still there) and the attitude was that we were inconveniencing them by showing up near closing time. We left without purchasing anything and never returned. Home Depot is not far away.

The two bread companies close right on the button if not before the posted closing time.

Many people like me don’t have time through weekday business hours to shop, so after work is the only option. If these places stayed open until 7 p.m. I truly believe they would reap the benefits and make a lot of people happy with that convenience.

I rarely go to the Bayview strip to shop anymore.

As retail business people they need to wake up and understand that it’s about the customer and convenience, not them and what time they need to end their work day to be happy.

I was in the restaurant business for many years and the work days were much longer than 9-5 or 10-6. These Bayview Ave. businesses have no basis for complaining about other competition moving into the area, especially given their more convenient business hours and product offerings for people like us.

Kevin Conlin
Bayview and Moore Ave.


I know that everyone in Leaside is very concerned about the increased traffic through our neighbourhoods but I would like to inquire as to why the TTC seems to think they can cut through our side streets while on detour?

Lately it has become a weekly occurrence that the buses re-route off Eglinton, and detour along Broadway. One evening buses were backed up from Bayview to Sutherland from 5:30-6 p.m. in both directions.

We have street parking. Two buses can’t pass if a car is parked on Broadway. It also becomes very difficult for residents to navigate into their driveways after a long day.

One morning at 9 a.m. (school time) recently they [buses] were turning off Eglinton at Rumsey Rd. past Northlea school and west on Broadway. The poor crossing guard was having a terrible time.

Any answers Councillor Burnside’s office can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Kate Struthers
Broadway Ave.


As a resident on Leacrest Rd., the street to nowhere, I read with interest the article about too many stop signs.

I am amazed at the number of vehicles going east on Leacrest between 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on weekdays. Drivers headed north on Bayview zip through the TD-Dove Cleaners-Pharma Plus parking lot and onto Leacrest to enjoy the beauty of this street to nowhere or maybe to avoid the traffic on Southvale and, in my opinion, meeting the best street crossing guard in the city on Southvale at Rolph.

The only thing that slows them down on Leacrest are the stop signs at Rolph and Hanna. As a young guy who can still dodge the traffic I’m more concerned about our many resident seniors, some with walkers, who would try to cross Leacrest at Hanna.

A few years ago we got the speed limit on Leacrest reduced from 50 kph to 40 kph. Now the only thing we need on Leacrest are stop signs at the north/south Mallory crossing, but this would probably require an in-depth study.

As a frequent user of Millwood it was good to see the new stop signs at Randolph. This not only makes it possible for the many seniors who live in that area to cross Millwood, it also improves the crossing of and access to Millwood for vehicles.

Well done Jon (Councillor Burnside). However, we must be careful as this could turn Randolph into another street to nowhere as people try to avoid Southvale and Laird.

Pete Dudley
Leacrest Rd.


Re: Too many stop signs, by Tony Koch, in the last edition.

Mr. Koch ends his letter with a road sign: Think.

Mr. Koch may have the capacity to think for himself and not need stop and yield signs. The vast majority of drivers don’t.

Mr. Koch says many signs exist to control through traffic and to control speed. I would consider that a valid justification for having these signs.

Driving is a privilege. Drivers do not have a right to dictate the conditions under which they drive.

To echo the words of Bill de Blasio, Mayor of New York: “I don’t care how many motorists I inconvenience to ensure pedestrian safety.”

Dan Buckley
Roxville Ave.