Don Mills Daily Updates
Pickleball taking over our surfaces
City staff are scrambling to set up courts for pickleball — Toronto’s fastest growing sport and social activity.
Unused parking lots, ice rinks, tennis courts and other flat surfaces are all fair game for being converted to accommodate the growing numbers of pickleball players across Toronto.
Get the full story in Streeter news.
‘Life-altering’ injuries in motorcycle-vehicle collision
A motorcyclist was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after a collision with a vehicle, police reported on Twitter yesterday evening.
The collision happened before 7 p.m. near Lawrence Avenue East and The Donway. (Police aren’t saying whether it was The Donway East or West). The vehicle driver reportedly remained on the scene.
A followup tweet described the motorcyclist’s injuries as “life altering” and said police were investigating.
No known injuries in vehicle roll-over
A vehicle rolled over in the southbound lanes of Don Mills Road at the Don Valley Parkway before 7 a.m. today, police said.
Don Mills Road was closed between the Don Valley Parkway ramp and O’Connor Drive, causing traffic delays, for about two hours. No injuries were reported.
Local restaurants featured in summer food fest
Summerlicious is back on July 7 to 23, the city has announced, but you’ll have to wait until June 29 to make reservations for the prix fixe lunch and dinner event.
At least four eateries in and around Don Mills are registered for the event, according to our reading of the map on the Summerlicious webpage. They are Taylors Landing and Mantra By Host, both on O’Neill Road at CF Shops at Don Mills, Casa Manila on York Mills Road, and Diwan at the Aga Khan Museum on Wynford Drive.
More than 200 restaurants across Toronto are taking part this year, offering three-course lunch menus from $20 to $55, and dinners from $25 to $75, the city says.
Jump in raccoon sickness, bites and scratches
A “significant increase” in reports of sick or injured raccoons and the number of people bitten or scratched has led Toronto Public Health to issue warnings against contact with wild animals in the city.
Eighty per cent of those people suffering bites and scratches have had to suffer further through the uncomfortable anti-rabies treatment, involving multiple vaccine doses, to fend off the potentially fatal infection.
See the full Streeter story, including tips on avoiding raccoon attacks.
Two-vehicle crash in Don Mills
Two vehicles collided at Don Mills and Barber Green roads today shortly before 9 p.m., police said on Twitter.
Injuries were unknown. Toronto Fire Services were also on the scene.
Registration for summer programs begins June 7
Registration for the city’s summer recreation programs for North York residents begins Wednesday at 7 a.m.
Summer programs run from July 4 to Sept. 1.
You can register in three ways:
- By phone by calling 416-396-7378 from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- In person at one of five community centre locations (the closest here is Dennis R. Timbrell Resource Centre, 29 St. Dennis Dr.) on June 7 from 7 a.m. to noon.
- Online through e-Fun (the easiest way).
Find more information on the city’s summer recreation programs page.
Gunshots reported and confirmed
Victoria Day dawned with reports of gunshots around O’Connor Drive and Don Mills Road.
But in case you’re thinking you know what the noise really was, note that police confirmed firearm discharges in the area.
The matter is being investigated, though no injuries have been reported, police said on social media.
Ticketing rules relaxed for holiday
Parking enforcement officers will not be enforcing all on-street parking bylaws on Victoria Day, police say.
In particular they’ll be turning a blind eye on Monday to parking on rush-hour routes and in areas with Monday-to-Friday regulations.
Pothole-fixing blitz on tomorrow
If you’re out driving Saturday, watch for crews working on the roads. The city says it is launching a blitz to repair as many potholes as possible between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
It’s probably too late to get your favourite local pothole on the list for repair tomorrow, but call 311 or go to www.toronto.ca/311 to report it for future filling.
Will next Ontario Liberal leader come from Don Valley?
Now that Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith has become the first candidate to announce for the Ontario Liberal leadership race, eyes may turn to Don Valley East and West for additional contenders.
At least three political figures from these two ridings are thought to be considering runs: Don Valley West MPP Stephanie Bowman, Don Valley East MPP Adil Shamji, and Don Valley East MP (and formerly MPP) Michael Coteau.
Coteau ran for Ontario leader in 2020, coming second to Steven Del Duca.
OPSEU and supporters protest science centre move
The Ontario Science Centre was picketed today by union members and supporters who protested the provincial government’s decision to move the centre from the Don Mills Rd. and Eglinton Avenue East site to Ontario Place.
Representing about 400 staff at the science centre, OPSEU has warned the move is unnecessary, is detrimental to visitors and could result in lost jobs.
See the CBC story about today’s protest.
Parks washrooms opened—splash pads, fountains and pools next
The city has finished opening park washrooms today, its earliest date ever, the city has announced. Only six seasonal washrooms are still closed for repairs or construction.
Splash and spray pads are due to open by May 20, followed by fountains and bottle-filling stations by May 26.
Ten city-run outdoor pools are to open on partial schedules by June 17 with the rest of them by June 24. All outdoor pools and wading pools are to be open on a full schedule by June 30.
Fireworks blamed for school lockdowns
Gateway Public School, Grenoble Public School and St. John XXIII Catholic School all went into lockdown mode today after what sounded like gunshots, according to police posts on Twitter.
Police investigated the area the area of Gateway Boulevard and Don Mills Road where the sounds were reported shortly before noon.
However, they confirmed no guns were involved and the “shots” were actually fireworks.
No injuries were reported.
Serious injury in two-vehicle clash
Two vehicles collided at Don Mills and York Mills roads before 5 p.m. today, police report on social media.
Two people were reported taken to hospital, one with serious injuries and one with minor injuries.
Traffic Services officers are investigating the crash.
Architects come out for saving the science centre
Joining the opposition to the province’s plans to demolish the Ontario Science Centre are the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario and the Toronto Society of Architects.
Both released statements today, calling for restoring the centre in place on Don Mills Road instead of moving it to Ontario Place.
“Demolishing the Ontario Science Centre would demolish an irreplaceable part of the province’s and country’s history,” the TSA said. “As caretakers of this landmark, the Province must invest in the repair and maintenance of this facility.”
See the full statements in Canadian Architect magazine.
Provincial rep organizes against science centre move
MPP Adil Shamji, whose Don Valley East riding includes the Ontario Science Centre site, is among the voices criticizing rebuilding the centre at Ontario Place.
The people’s voice must inform government action.
In Don Valley East, our voice has been silenced. Our riding is under attack and the Science Centre is on the chopping block.
Across Ontario, especially in Indigenous communities, consultation must become the norm.#onpoli #SOS pic.twitter.com/AD6vtCz6rT
— Dr. Adil Shamji 🇨🇦 (@ShamjiAdil) April 20, 2023
Shamji’s has launched a petition, headed “Save Our Science Centre,” which he says will be delivered to the offices of Premier Doug Ford, infrastructure minister Kinga Surma, and the Ontario Legislative Assembly.
Washrooms are opening early in our parks
With this warmer-than-average spring, city staff are opening public washrooms earlier than usual. A quarter of Toronto’s seasonal washrooms have been opened already by mid-April, though most were originally scheduled for May.
If you’re planning an outing, you can look up the status of washrooms and drinking fountains in the park on a new interactive map from the city.
See the full story in Streeter news.
Reactions to moving Ontario Science Centre from this area
The Ontario government is yet to pronounce the fate of the Ontario Science Centre (see April 13 item below), but Premier Doug Ford’s musings yesterday on rebuilding it at Ontario Place has already raised a storm of opposition.
On hearing of the premier’s comments, mayoralty candidate Josh Matlow drafted an open letter to Ford, “requesting that your government reconsider moving the Ontario Science Centre to Ontario Place and meet with parent groups and community leaders in Thorncliffe, Flemingdon Park and the wider Don Mills area.” Matlow said he had already heard from community members concerned about losing science centre programs for young people in underserved neighbourhoods.
Don Valley East MP Michael Coteau said on Twitter the centre “serves thousands of children in our community, is one of the only major tourist destinations in the east end and has lots of adjacent land for housing.” Moving it would also take away jobs from people in the community, he said.
Coteau was responding to former councillor Ana Bailao, also running for mayor, who supports the move.
#LATEST: Doug Ford’s musing about relocating the Ontario Science Centre as part of a refurbished Ontario Place plan has spawned a negative reaction from residents in the community.
“There are close to 300,000 people here and all young families.” https://t.co/WlIiSrmtMs
— CityNews Toronto (@CityNewsTO) April 15, 2023
Science Centre moving to Ontario Place?
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has hinted the province may be about to announce the Ontario Science Centre, currently at Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue East, is to be rebuilt at the Ontario Place lakeside site, which is being redeveloped.
During an unrelated news conference today, Ford called the move a “fabulous idea” and told reporters to “stay tuned until next week.”
See the news reports at CBC and CP24 among other media.
Double the tickets: more speed cameras coming
The number of automated speed enforcement cameras in Don Valley East neighbourhoods is to be doubled from three to six, after city council’s recent approval of the installations.
Council unanimously passed a motion to have city staff look into increasing the ASE devices from the current 75 to 150, shared evenly by each of Toronto’s 25 wards.
This comes just months after a previous increase from 50 across the city.
Get the full story in Streeter news.
Clean up our communities together, city urges
Toronto is asking communities to register local litter cleanups to take part in the city’s annual spring cleanup from April 21 to April 23.
We can register three kinds of cleanups:
- The 20-Minute Makeover on April 21 is for local businesses (BIAs, are you listening?) to clean up public spaces, like parks, sidewalks, ravines or beaches (though local residents can take part too).
- Also on April 21, students and staff of schools, colleges and universities can spend 20 minutes cleaning up their schoolyards or neighbourhood parks.
- On April 22 and 23, community groups, families and individuals are encouraged to visit local parks or other public spaces to help pick up litter.
Get more information and register for whichever cleanup works for you on the city’s Clean Toronto Together page.
Feeding any wildlife, anywhere in city to be banned
On April 1 a new city bylaw comes into effect prohibiting the feeding of wildlife anywhere in Toronto.
And for good reason, according to wildlife experts. You may think you’re helping the animals but you’re not.
Even the traditional practice of throwing bread crumbs to birds is not helpful, the experts say.
Read Dennis Hanagan’s full story in Streeter news about the bylaw and the dangers of feeding the animals.
Car ablaze at Don Mills ramp of DVP
Police posted on Twitter today an account and a vivid picture of a vehicle bursting into flame on the southbound Don Valley Parkway at the Don Mills ramp.
FIRE:
S/B DVP & Don Mills
– reports of a vehicle fire
– police o/s
– @Toronto_Fire o/s – putting out vehicle fire
– no reported injuries
– officers advised off-ramp exit to N/B Don Mills is blocked
– expect delays
– consider alternate routes#GO670977
^al pic.twitter.com/6fKDccE89e— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) March 27, 2023
Robbery at gunpoint investigated
Officers responded to reports of a man being robbed at gunpoint near Don Mills and Kern roads today at 2:24 p.m.
The alleged robbers fled the area, according to a police tweet. No injuries have been reported.
Police are continuing to investigate.
Outdoor skating continues to Sunday — if the ice holds up
The city is encouraging skaters to enjoy the last few days of the official outdoor skating season at our local rinks. However, the weather seems poised to end the season earlier than the scheduled March 19 deadline.
Sunday evening is when the city starts to close its outdoor artificial ice rinks, natural ice rinks and skating trails and begin its annual conversion of spaces into skateboarding parks, tennis courts and pickleball spaces.
Meanwhile the forecast for the next four days calls for rainy and overcast days with temperatures mainly above zero.
Summerlicious applications open
Winterlicious seems barely over and it’s already time for local restaurants to sign up for the summer edition of the fixed-price dining festival.
Applications to participate in the Summerlicious program will be accepted from today to March 22, the city has announced.
This year’s Summerlicious runs from July 7 to 23 and there’s good news for participating restaurants: the fees have been cut to less than half the pre-pandemic rates. The new fee is $550. The city says this reduction should “make it easy and affordable for restaurants to participate and will encourage more Toronto residents to dine out and celebrate Toronto’s diverse culinary scene.”
Restaurants can find more information on the City’s Summerlicious 2023 Restaurant Participation webpage.
Local home prices dropping, real estate board says
Home prices are down by nine per cent from last year in this area, according to figures recently released by the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board.
The report indicates the year-over-year decrease for the real estate “C13” area, including Banbury-Don Mills, Parkwoods-Donalda and Victoria Village.
As of January, the average home here is now about $1.2 million, TRREB reports.
Single-family, detached houses have taken the biggest hit, dropping 11.8 per cent to about $2 million.
Parking restrictions eased for Family Day
Police have announced they will not be ticketing vehicles parked on the street on Feb. 20 on rush-hour routes and in areas with posted Monday–Friday regulations.
Pedestrian struck, driver flees
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in an apparent hit-and-run at Don Mills Road and The Donway East today at about 9 a.m.
The victim was rushed to hospital with non-life threatening injuries, police reported on Twitter.
The driver did not remain on the scene, police said.
Local man charged with indecent act, harassment
Police arrested a man on Feb. 3 near Don Mills Road and St. Dennis Drive in a criminal harassment and indecent exposure investigation.
A man is reported to have engaged children in a residential apartment building, asking them to visit his address, trying to give them gifts and, in one incident, exposing himself. He also committed an indecent act in a separate incident, police said.
A 58-year-old man faces four charges, including committing an indecent act with intent to insult or offend another.
For more information and an image of the accused, see the police news release.
Report our potholes to be fixed
You may see repair crews out on the roads today as the city launches its first pothole-fixing blitz of the year.
Chances are, though, plenty of Don Mills potholes will remain unless they are reported. To get those car-wrecking eyesores filled, report them via the 311 Toronto mobile app, online at Toronto.ca/311 or by calling 311.
The city says most repairs are carried out within four days of potholes being reported.
This ward soon to have three cameras to catch speeders
The city is adding 25 automated speed enforcement cameras, one for each ward in Toronto. The most recent ASE site in DonValley West is on Harrison Road near Vernham Avenue.
The new camera will join two existing cameras in the ward, currently located on Don Mills Road, north of Overlea Boulevard, and on Overlea, east of William Morgan Drive.
See the full Streeter story on the new cameras.
CampTO registration set to open
It’s time to start planning the kids’ summer camp activities at local parks and centres this summer. The city has announced its CampTO programs are online for your consideration, ready for registration beginning Feb. 11.
Some new programs have been added to the CampTO lineup for the programs that run from July 4 to Sept. 1.
For more information on the program and registration, see the Streeter calendar listing.
Letter to Ford opposes ‘strong mayor’ bill
Don Valley West councillor Paul Fletcher is among 15 city councillors sending a letter today to Premier Doug Ford opposing the province’s Bill 39, the so-called Better Municipal Governance Act.
The Act would, under certain conditions, let the mayor of Toronto propose and pass bylaws with support of only one-third of city council, a move that critics have called undemocratic.
See full text of letter at Progress Toronto.
Ground broken on affordable housing highrise
Mayor John Tory, Premier Doug Ford and leaders of the Ismaili community, including Prince Amyn Aga Khan, celebrated the start of construction of 390 affordable rental homes at 844 Don Mills Rd. today.
A 27-storey building with affordable rental homes, a long-term care facility, a daycare and retail is to be be completed in late 2025.