The PARA green committee focuses on greening the PARA neighbourhood as well as advocating for broader environmental responsibility, notably through our Green Plan.
If you’d like to get involved, we can always use more help!
Our main activities in the last year have been:
- PARA Green Plan: in partnership with our city Councillor’s office, we have created a strategic planning document which guides PARA’s environmental actions and goals, which can form part of the city planning process.
- Pollinator Garden at Harbord Collegiate: The pollinator garden at Harbord Collegiate has begun! We received a grant from PollinateTO in partnership with Harbord Collegiate to establish a pollinator garden in the school’s front yard. Working with the students and community members, the garden beds were prepared and planted in May 2022. Maintenance over the summer will be critical – watering and weeding.
- Tree Canopy Project: A very successful tree tour was organized as part of Jane’s Walk in May 2022. About 30 people came out to hear Eric Davies explain the importance of native trees for our environment. More tree tours, education about planting native trees, and caring for our tree canopy are to come.
- Area Improvements: We have been working with Neighbourhood Projects division at the City to revitalize and green two neglected spaces in our area.
- the city owned land adjacent to the P.A.T. Central parking lot. (Just south of Manning and Bloor on the west side).
- the Palmerston Gates, southwest corner of Bloor Street and Palmerston Avenue. (And to fix the damaged gates on the southeast side).
- Community clean-ups: Our spring clean up day was one of the best yet with community members spanning out to clean up our streets and lane-ways. Our contest winner went to Samantha Hill. Congratulations! Unfortunately our fall clean up day was washed out with a cold sleety rain.
- Healey Willan Community Garden: Plans have been made to increase native plantings, put up signage and organize summer care and maintenance. There are several gardens to be tended in Healey Willan. As well, we are caring for the traffic calmer on Euclid, south of Ulster by Allan Reynolds Lane. We are planning on establishing a children’s edible garden in a raised bed.
- Environmental Advocacy: We are participating in community consultations with the City such as the bike lanes on Palmerston Boulevard and the College Street cycling and pedestrian upgrades. As well, we have advocated for maintaining green space in our community through presentations to the City.
- Net Zero Emissions (GHG): This is a very important area which we are just beginning to address. We will be promoting the initiatives that have been developed by the Harbord Village Residents’ Association (HVRA),our neighbouring RA. To date, we have contributed to the e-bike strategy. (Go to HVRA’s website for more details.)