We’re in the middle of a busy July Council session. I'll have the full rundown of our most notable items in my column next week. Today, I want to share some tips on how to make the most of summer here in Don Valley North. We're lucky to have so many incredible indoor and outdoor spaces to enjoy, and great summer programs on across the ward. Let's dive into everything our neighbourhoods have to offer.
PARKS, RAVINES & SUMMER RECREATION
One of my favourite things about Don Valley North in the summer is really getting to appreciate our parks and ravines. You may have already seen my signature pink tent in a park near you. Park pop-ups are back, and they're my favourite way to chat with neighbours and hear what’s happening on your street. Keep an eye on your mailbox for a flyer announcing that we're coming to your neighbourhood soon!
Keep an eye out for one of my Park Pop-Ups in a park near you! Our parks also offer great summer activities for the whole family to enjoy. If you're looking for a way to cool off on a hot day, you can enjoy one of our pools, wading pools, or splash pads at any of the parks below:
McNicoll Park
Bellbury Park
Oriole Park
Bayview Village Park
Ethennonnhawahstihnen' Park
Parkway Forest Park
Van Horne Park
Of course, our parks also have great playgrounds for kids to enjoy. What you might not know is that they have other fun amenities for folks of all ages. Many of our parks have facilities like tennis and pickleball courts, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, and more. A few of our parks have outdoor table tennis tables, while others have outdoor fitness equipment. These are all great ways to be active and enjoy the outdoors in our warmer months. You can find a handy map that shows all of our park amenities here:
I love seeing community groups take advantage of our parks in the warmer months as well. For example, the Dallington Pollinators are hosting a free Kids Nature Lab in Dallington Park throughout the summer. My office will also be hosting a couple of outdoor movie nights in August. Keep an eye out in the E-Blast for more details on local summer programs happening across Don Valley North.
The DVN team does a tour through our ravine system every summer. We also have a wonderful ravine system to enjoy. Our ravine trails are often a few degrees cooler than our parks and backyards, and provide a great chance to connect with nature. I want to give a shoutout to our Newtonbrook Toronto Nature Stewards, who are working hard to remove invasive plants from Newtonbrook Creek. If you're looking for a way to get involved in the neighbourhood and help protect our environment, you can sign up to be a nature steward at the site below:
INDOOR SUMMER PROGRAMMING On some of our hotter days, you can take advantage of the great indoor programming happening in our community centres and libraries. I really want to encourage you to check out our brand new Ethennonnhawahstihnen' Community Centre that just opened at Bessarion subway station. Our new community centre shares a name with the nearby park. You can learn more about the naming process and how to pronounce Ethennonnhawahstihnen' in my video below (it's easy once you get the hang of it!):
Ethennonnhawahstihnen' CC, and our other community centres, have great drop-in programs. They offer everything from family board game nights to yoga, sports and open gym activities. Use the map at the link below to find your nearest community centre and their specific program offerings:
Another great source of summer fun that folks often forget about is our public libraries. You can check out their Summer Reading Club for kids as well as the fun activities they offer over the summer like movie nights, arts and crafts, music classes, and more. Check out our local branches' websites for more information on their upcoming programs:
STAYING HEALTHY IN HOT WEATHER Finally, here are some tips on how to stay safe and healthy in hot weather. Easy ways to beat the heat include:
Drink plenty of cool water even before you feel thirsty
Wear loose, light-coloured, breathable clothing
Avoid the sun and stay in the shade or use an umbrella
Reschedule or plan outdoor exercise during the cooler parts of the day (morning or evening)
Avoid intense or moderately intense physical activity
Take cool showers or baths or use cool wet towels to cool dow
You can also go to an air conditioned place on hot days. If you don't have air conditioning in your home, the City has an extensive Heat Relief Network with spaces that will help you cool off. This includes community centres, libraries, malls, and more. Find your closest cool space at the link below:
Summer always feels too short here in Toronto, so I hope these tips help you and your friends and family make the most of our lovely summer months. If you have any tips on how to enjoy summer or upcoming activities in Don Valley North you'd like to share, reach out to my office and we'll be happy to promote them. Stay cool, stay safe, and have fun!
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