Tag Archives: Mount Dennis Community Association

Pearen Park protest a success.

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When it was announced that Metrolinx intended to clear-cut hundreds of trees along a 1.5 km stretch of Eglinton Avenue a coalition of several groups (including Mount Dennis Community Association) sprang into action. One of the groups, an indigenous-led coalition erected a tipi in Pearen Park and has occupied the site since January.

Today, close to 100 people listened intently as Indigenous leaders spoke about the need to protect the trees that Metrolinx wants to chop down. The provincial transit authority wants to build an elevated section of the Eglinton Crosstown Extension. The extension will link the long delayed main line to Pearson Airport and is planned to cross the Humber above ground before going underground at Scarlett road. The coalition insists that the line must be built underground in order to preserve precious parkland.

The trees to be removed are on the north side of Eglinton (running right to left in the photo).

German rock group Milky Chance were there in support along with the Sierra Club and Greenpeace. They participated with dozens of others to place tobacco at the foot of each tree and mark them with ribbons. Refreshments were generously provided by Super Coffee who have a coffee shop at Weston and Eglinton.

Milky Chance listen to speakers at the event.
Local politician Faisal Hassan attended the event.
The tipi where sacred fire has been burning since January.
Tying ribbons and placing tobacco at the foot of each tree.

There is no reason for Metrolinx to build an elevated line across the Humber that will lead to the destruction of hundreds of trees. Great cities bury their rail lines and preserve nature at all costs.

Is Toronto a great city or will it fall prey to small thinking and destroy irreplaceable wildlife, trees and parkland?

Incidentally, missing in action were Councillor Frances Nunziata and local MPP Mike Ford. Incidentally Ford (who is the premier’s nephew) campaigned for his seat claiming that he would better represent the coalition from inside government. Since he was elected, he seems to have forgotten his promise.

Read more from the coalition here.

Read a January article by the CBC here.

Milky Chance, Sierra Club and Greenpeace to fight Metrolinx destruction.

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On Wednesday, May 31, German Rock group Milky Chance will be joining representatives from the Sierra Club and Greenpeace to protest the planned destruction of almost 1500 trees and a large wildlife habitat by Metrolinx.

According to Stop The Trains In Our Parks, The plan is to, “join Milky Chance, Sierra Club Canada, Greenpeace and our Indigenous-led coalition that includes ENAGB Indigenous Youth Agency, Turtle Island Carers of Fire, Edge of the Bush, American Indian Movement, Stop the Trains in Our Parks (STOP), Mount Dennis Community Association (MDCA) and the Mount Dennis eco-Neighbourhood Initiative (MDeNI).”

This will be a, “Demonstration of solidarity and protest against Metrolinx’s plan to build an 1.5 km elevated section of the LRT line through parkland north of Eglinton Avenue West between Scarlett Road and Weston Road. There will also be a ceremonial ribbon tying of trees with Milky Chance.

When: Wednesday, May 31, 1:30-2:30 PM

Where: Pearen Park, 30 Pearen Street in Toronto, ON

Why: To show public opposition to Metrolinx’s plan, come together in ceremony as allies in honouring the trees, and support action towards Canada’s reconciliation for First Nations Peoples.

About the parks

The parkland in question—Pearen Park, Fergy Brown Park, Eglinton Flats and the Humber River area—is a sensitive ecosystem, wildlife corridor, migratory bird route and is home to Threatened and Endangered species. The naturalized urban forest is a flood and erosion protector, natural cooler and sound barrier. The parkland is used for many cultural activities and sacred ceremonies for Indigenous Peoples, as well as recreational, sport and social activities. The Humber River is a Canadian Heritage River and an urban river valley protected by the Ontario Greenbelt.

Learn more at www.stopthetrainsinourparks.ca or email stopthetrainsinourparks@gmail.com.

A photo of the tipi in Pearen Park in January.

Stop the Trains in Our Parks started this petition on Leadnow.ca. If there’s an issue close to your heart that you’d like to campaign on, you can start your campaign here.

If you haven’t already, sign the petition “Tell Metrolinx & Ford Government to Keep the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension Underground in YSW“.

Jane’s Walk locally on May 7

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The Mount Dennis Community Association is holding a Jane’s Walk on Sunday, May 7 entitled, ‘Tipis, Cricket and LRT’s at Fergy’s park’.

Time:12:00 noon – 1:30 pm

Fergy Brown Park, named after a former York mayor, was agricultural until 1965. It has a rich Indigenous history as the Carrying Place Trail, almost hosted the Richview expressway, and now is being threatened by the Crosstown extension which is going to destroy a large amount of the natural section of the park. Local Indigenous people feel their rights to be consulted about a major heritage site are being ignored.

Starting at Weston and Eglinton, we’ll visit Pearen Park, the site of the proposed elevated LRT portal, see what the natural environment looks like.  Some rather unkind comments were made about invasive species.  While it would be great if Parks had planted the most desirable species, the site is still home to wood ducks, deer, coyote, and amphibians, all seeming to prefer a naturalized area to mowed grass.   Fergy Brown park hosts cricket most summer weekends, frisbee golf many evenings, and the Extension will cause major disruptions for a decade.  And all we ask is that Metrolinx value the contributions of the community and negotiate the best solution.  If you followed the news this week, you know that Metrolinx isn’t demonstrating competence.
From the MDCA Newsletter April 28, 2023
  • Walk Start Location: Mount Dennis ( Weston & Eglinton ). Walk leaders will have blue Shirts and banners.
  • Walk End Location: Jane and Eglinton

Read more about the Metrolinx plans for clearcutting through several parks here.

More Toronto Jane’s Walks here.