Stan Flemming’s call to action in the April 2025 issue of Leaside Life said it all: “Our country and our community are at a crossroads and it’s a good time to reflect on what makes Canada – and Leaside – such a remarkable place to call home. …But if there’s one thing Leaside knows, it’s how to come together.”
Indeed! Reflecting on these themes reminded me of a column I wrote in Leaside Life in January 2024 following the release of the 2023 Vital Signs Report by the Toronto (Community) Foundation (“I’m working towards a neighbourhood of neighbours”). “At one level this report was a downer – on almost every measure the community trends in Toronto are going in the ‘wrong’ direction. The pandemic has accelerated a long-standing decline in friends and family networks, donations, and volunteering. Civic engagement and connection are foundational elements to create a healthy, happy and resilient community.”
Turning to Leaside, the article mentioned the many opportunities in Leaside for connections and raised the question, both personally – what am I, and, collectively, what are we doing about it? With respect to the latter, I suggested an event to bring many of the groups together to celebrate and discuss how social connections could be improved. And how about linking the residents of Leaside East, the fast-growing tower community south of Eglinton and east of Laird?
What about a market-type event?
So, what’s happened since my feature last year? Regarding the social connections event, there has been talk of holding a market-type event to bring together volunteer and not-for-profit groups of all kinds across the community. However, the calling of no fewer than three snap elections this spring has led to deferral of this idea. But maybe this fall?
Linking Leaside East
As for linking to Leaside East, the Leaside Residents Association (LRA) has made real progress with two projects: the Leaside East Place-Making project connects the developers of the large properties to discuss how to ensure a complete community that meets people’s needs and connects the individual projects to see them holistically. And the LRA has reached out to the condo boards in the Scenic Apartments and invited their participation in the LRA, with one board chair now attending our meetings. And at the April 14 AGM, a motion was being presented for approval to include Leaside East within the “area served” of the Leaside Residents Association.
Working with neighbouring residents’ associations
In other news, as you are no doubt aware, the LRA is working closely and cooperatively with the Broadway Area Residents Association (BARA), the recently established residents’ association for the area west of Bayview and north of Eglinton, and with the South Eglinton Davisville Residents’ Association (SEDRA) west of Bayview and south of Eglinton. And of course, for regional and City-wide matters the LRA continues to be a member and supporter of the Federation of North Toronto Residents Associations (FoNTRA), of which, full disclosure, I am co-chair.
Leaside has laneways!
Finally, two quick (somewhat related) information items: Leaside has laneways! A non-profit organization called The Laneway Project is interested in working with communities to transform underused laneways into vibrant, safe, and welcoming community spaces. If you are interested, please reach out to LRA to learn more.
