I’ve been thinking about this question a lot lately. Maybe because the weather is finally warming up and more people are out on the street – lending an air of vibrancy to formerly ice- and snow-covered sidewalks in the shopping districts. Maybe because our parks and gardens are waking up and beginning to show off their spring beauty.
These are important aspects when we consider community. But more importantly, community is people – our people – and what matters most to us. As times shift, so, too, do our priorities as a community. For instance, a recent rash of violent home break-ins in other parts of the city, not far from us, has many of us thinking about crime and neighbourhood safety. While the Eglinton Crosstown was under construction, traffic, transit and congestion loomed large in our collective consciousness.
Community is an overriding focus for Leaside Life as we explore the evolution of Leaside – and more recently Leaside-adjacent neighbourhoods. That’s why Leaside Life has undertaken research to learn what “community” means to you, with the support of the Leaside Residents Association and Leaside Memorial Community Gardens, and with the able hand of Business of Leaside columnist Glenn Asano guiding that research.
In Glenn’s words: “Beginning April 1, residents across Leaside are invited to take part in the Leaside Residents Survey, a community listening effort designed to better understand what people believe is working well in the neighbourhood and where we should be paying more attention as Leaside continues to grow and evolve.”
The 10-minute survey asks questions within five broad areas of interest: community life, mobility, neighbourhood and environment, development, and local economy. We know community is important to you, but how important, and in what ways? The pre-survey posted online has already garnered wide interest, so we’re anticipating a vigorous response to the survey.
Fittingly, we will be releasing the results of the Leaside Residents Survey on Leaside Day, May 23rd. I look forward to learning more about what community means to all of us.
Get involved, take the survey! Click here for the survey: . Remember, it’s only here for the month of April.
