Revival of the Central Neighbourhood Association
Central Neighbourhood Association
Like many of us, the Central Neighbourhood Association (CNA) went into COVID hibernation. In April 2023, through word of mouth, about 20 residents attended a question and answer session with the Aeon Studio Group about their proposed plans to build a studio on the Barton-Tiffany lands. It was the first “meeting” since 2020.
Funding from the Ward 2 Community Grants program provided the opportunity for CNA to hold a community event on November 20, 2023. The event was titled “Rejuvenation and Revival”, to reflect a reboot and reenergizing of our neighbourhood association. The grant provided funds to create, print, and distribute event notices to all households in the Central neighbourhood, advertise in the North End Breezes. and rent the Bridgeworks. Hot apple cider and treats were provided and local businesses donated gifts for door prizes.
On November 20 over 30 neighbours gathered - residents of apartments, condos and houses, plus some business owners - to further the CNA mission of bringing together Central residents to celebrate our community and work for positive change.
The setting was intentionally informal, and after welcoming remarks, including recognition of the Ward 2 team for their support and funding, and of the work done by previous CNA members, the evening’s objectives were laid out. Aside from providing an opportunity for Central residents to get to know one another, the main objective was to have residents themselves identify their concerns or goals or areas of interest on which to base action groups, all in the interest of making the community the best it can be.
The criteria for the goals to be identified were each be focused on bettering the neighbourhood, it be actionable at the local level, and it provide opportunities for like minded individuals to engage with one another.
After initial remarks, groups formed based on shared interests, and lively and wide ranging discussions ensued. Attendees grouped at tables were encouraged to capture their comments, ideas, concerns and interests on kraft paper which had been used to cover the tables, for easy note taking. At the end of the evening, the organizers promised to contact group members about forming action groups based on themes identified, of which there were five -
Traffic and safety
Central Park vegetable and pollinator gardens
Neighbourhood improvement - including signage, clean ups, murals and other art, graffiti removal, and benches
Community events
Support for the only school in the neighbourhood - Hess Street Elementary
In discussing traffic and safety there were several locations of concern mentioned, including Queen Street North and York Boulevard where the pedestrian crossing time is very short and a hydro pole very close to the Barton Street hill roadway west of Bay Street North. Residents also asked about the effects of Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the projected increased housing and population density being.
Are plans being made to deal with problems? The importance of community hubs, walkability, and reducing through traffic were touched on, as was the importance of complete street analyses.
Rolling stops are common in Central, with increased risks to pedestrians and other vehicles. Volunteer walkabouts were suggested to aid in identifying problem areas and the Ward 2 Safe Streets Map will provide a good starting point for the new working group.
The long awaited Central Park renovation is complete and garden plots are now available at a community garden in the southwest corner. A group of volunteers is already working in the gardens, with plans to expand both vegetable production and sharing produce with neighbours, and expand a pollinator garden.
Partnering with the CNA was proposed and is already underway, with CNA sourcing meeting space for the gardeners. Some of the ideas shared at the November 20 event were - sharing seeds and native plant growing information; plant and seed exchanges; holding events at the Central Park community garden; creating a sustainable gardening Instagram page; providing gardening instruction; beautification of the parking lot; partnering with groups such as the Royal Botanical Gardens, Green Venture, and Hess Street Elementary. Planning for the 2024 growing season is already well underway.
There were many terrific ideas generated under the headings of community events and neighbourhood improvement - liaising with other neighbourhoods regarding beautification and infrastructure on shared borders; reintroducing a newsletter and canvassing to expand a mailing list; Earth Day or other community clean up events; liaising with local businesses; community garage sales like the one held last September by residents in the area of Barton Street West, Murray Street West, and MacNab Street North; Central Park music events, craft shows, and food festivals; school engagement around the community garden; campaigning for more benches at Central Park; and generally increasing the reach of the CNA. Event participants hoped the end result of any and all such activities will be a greater sense of belonging in the Central neighbourhood, and more motivation to work on improving it.
Hess Street Elementary is our only school in Central, and it’s a busy one. Contact has already been made with the school to begin identifying the needs of the school and school families and where the Central community could provide support.
As of January 2024, attendees at the November 20 event are being contacted and support is being offered to newly formed CNA working groups. Each group will create an action plan and report regularly to the CNA leads. More volunteers to pitch in are always welcome and are asked to contact the CNA at CNAHamiltonW2@gmail.com.
Without the support of the Community Grants from Council, it would have been impossible to hold our November 20 event and provide an opportunity for Central residents to organize to better their community.
It is exciting to see groups form to work on common goals, and we look forward to their progress. We also look forward to future funding opportunities, with funding required for an Annual General Meeting in the spring and official formation of an Executive, not to mention all the ambitious projects on the table! The CNA is also in search of affordable meeting space, and we hope to see progress on that topic soon.
The Central Neighbourhood Association’s “Rejuvenation and Revival” event received funds from the Ward 2 Community Grants program