Status of Jacob’s Ladder artwork/play structure in Berczy Park

Bard in Berczy Park performers rehearse by ‘hanging laundry’ props from the Jacob’s Ladder public artwork

While the upcoming ‘Bard in Berczy Park’ production will be using the giant bronze hands of the “Jacob’s Ladder” public artwork as a backdrop for their upcoming performances of All’s Well That End’s Well – as seen in the adjacent image – some community members have asked about the status of this incomplete public artwork/kids play structure.

 

Here is an update from Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam’s Office:

The hands and ‘string’ (ie. thick rope) were meant to be one piece that were not meant to be ‘interactive’ (ie. you could not remove/change the position of the rope) but were meant to allow kids to play on it. When the rope was installed, following the bronze hands, it was found that the ropes did not sit properly, which could allow them to be disrupted. The rope was sent back to the manufacturer in Montreal, and installers need to install stronger connections to reinstall the rope, according to City staff. Staff also want to deal with drainage issues in the park, including the grassy hills and valley surrounding the Jacobs Ladder artwork, before reinstalling the rope. The Park is still under warranty, and Parks and the contractor are trying to settle issues regarding soil quality, which has resulted in some grass looking poor. City staff do not have an estimated date for the return of the rope, but assuming the drainage/soil issues are solved they could see it returned before the fall, contingent on a a quick resolution with the contractor.

Artist testing rope lattice for Jacob’s Ladder artwork in fall 2018.

The initial installation of Jacob’s Ladder art/play structure.

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Safety alert for pet-owners in Berczy Park

Pet-kicking, disturbed woman sighted in Berczy Park again on July 1, 2019.

Update July 1: Please see the latest photo of the pet-kicking woman, sighted in the Berczy Park mural garden on July 1, and identified by the June 27 victim, in the photo below. Pet-owners, be alert. Police advise that there is little or no recourse against this woman except to avoid her at all cost. Stay clear for the safety of you and your pet.

Update on June 27: Buster is doing okay so far; If you see the accused, call 51 Division Police, 416-808-2222, and reference case #11847705.

Safety Alert: Pet-owners, watch out for this violent woman (see image) who chased a local pet-owner and kicked her dog in the stomach today. At 8:15 Wednesday morning, the dog owner was walking her bassett hound on the Berczy Park lawn near Scott Street when a stranger approached her, yelled that she was allergic to dogs, and proceeded to chase the owner and kick the 9-year-old dog in the stomach. The victim managed to photograph the fleeing attacker, who she describes as 5’6″, brown hair, sunglasses covering her face, surprisingly-average looking and normally dressed in black and gray, but carrying many shopping bags. If you see this woman, contact 51 Division Police, 416-808-2222, to provide information on the June 26 morning dog assault in Berczy Park. Pet-owners, keep your distance from this individual.

Berczy Beats – lunchtime and evening music in Berczy Park

Thanks to the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood Assoc. BIA, “Old Town Toronto”, visitors to Berczy Park during lunchtimes in July and August can enjoy free acoustic music performances each Wednesday from 11:30-1:00pm.

Check out the stage in the southwest corner of Berczy Park (Scott & Front Streets) to savour a variety of musical talent all summer long.

Grab a chair, a bench or a spot on Berczy Park’s green hills to soak up a bit of music during your summer lunchtime!

And, new in 2019, enjoy a couple of “Berczy Beats at Night” concerts, July 18 and August 15.

Visit OldTownToronto.ca and see ‘Events’ for these and other great community music, movies and festivities.

 

 

Family Storytime starts June 7th

Family Storytime with the librarian draws lots of kids to our park.

Keep your kids busy this June, and build a lifetime love of reading in the Park! Friends of Berczy Park and Toronto Public Library, St Lawrence Branch, invite families to children’s storybook reading with Dulce from the library:

-Each Friday at 10:30am, from June 7 to June 28

-Ideal for children up to age 5.

Enjoy these free events in the Berczy Park green space lawn near Front & Scott Streets. Parents: ByoBlanket, to get comfy in the grass.

If rainy, meet at the library instead.

 

Join the Berczy Park knitting group!

Want to try knitting, maybe with an expert by your side? Love to knit but want some company? Then stop by our new, drop-in knitters group in Berczy Park this summer.

Starting Tuesday June 11, members of the Old York Towers knitting group will meet each Tuesday  from 2pm-4pm at the Berczy Park tables & chairs (just east of the fountain). These ladies  knit wool scarves for our Berczy Park fountain pooches last winter, and they keep busy year-round knitting cotton caps

The Old York Towers resident knitting group fashioned scarves for the Berczy Park fountain dogs last winter

for cancer patients at St. Mikes Hospital, as well as an array of wool items like mitts, socks and scarves.

Since knitting is more fun together, the ladies invite anyone to drop-by and join them in Berczy Park. Group leader ‘Reet’ is happy to offer a lesson or two and lend some needles or wool to anyone starting out. Who knows, with some practice, you may create warm, homemade gifts, much-needed garments for hospital patients, or even help us knit more scarves for our fountain dog sculptures next winter!

Members of the Old York Towers Knitting Group met recently to plan their drop-in activities this summer in Berczy Park.

 

Join us for Pet-lovers Day in Berczy Park on Saturday June 8th

Pet-owners got lots of great training advice at our 2018 event!

Friends of Berczy Park is hosting our popular annual Pet-lovers Day in Berczy Park on Saturday June 8th, from 9am to noon (rain date: Sunday June 9th, 9am to noon).

Stop by the mural garden behind the Flatiron Building for free pet treats from PetValu, complimentary coffee from the Novotel, and meet your furry and human neighbours, starting at 9am.

From 10am to noon, meet our professional pet trainer, Sydney, from Fresh Puppy and “Ask the Pet Trainer” a question during this free activity. It’s a great chance to ask our expert for puppy training tips, teach Rex a new trick, or address a pet issue like jumping, barking, recall or other behavioural issues you may face. Even if you are just thinking of getting a puppy, stop by, since Sydney has lots of great advice for future pup parents.

What else? New this year, we are offering a free pet massage demonstration by Regan of Kuri K9 Massage. This is your chance to learn about techniques to improve the physical and emotional health of your dog or cat. In Regan’s words: “I help hard working parents of precious fur babies attain and maintain the optimal physical and emotional health of their pet through massage therapy – an holistic therapy that compliments traditional veterinary treatment – all in the comfort of their own home environment with sessions tailored to their schedule.  This helps eliminate the anxiety that often results from visiting a “clinical setting,” which in turn allows the dog (or cat) to relax and get the most out of their massage.”

By the way: Got old pet toys, clothes or supplies you don’t need? Bring them to our event and we’ll donate them to Project Jessie, a rescue

Bring your used or un-needed pet supplies for Project Jessie rescue shelter.

and adoption program run by the Animal Alliance of Canada.

This is a great chance for Rover to make new friends while you enjoy a Saturday morning together.

And, check out our new green bin for pet poop, recently installed in the Berczy Park mural garden.

Special thanks to our event sponsors PetValu, 184 Front St East, and the Novotel Hotel Toronto Centre, 45 The Esplanade.

Join our Short Story Book Club in Berczy Park each Wednesday

Looking for a relaxing outdoor activity, where you can meet other book-lovers?

Then join Toronto Public Library, St Lawrence Branch, and Friends of Berczy Park as we host our second annual summertime reading club in Berczy Park.

To take part, just come by the park each Wednesday, from May 22 to June 26, 10:30am to noon.

Best of all, there’s no homework or weekly assigned pre-reading, since each week we will hand out copies of the story to  read together and discuss the themes.

Not only is this a great way to meet other members of our community – including dedicated book-lovers – it’s also a great activity for anyone who wants to practice their English reading, including newcomers to Canada.

So, join these free events, held on the table & chair sets arranged just east of the park fountain at 35 Wellington St East. In case of rain, the group will meet instead at St Lawrence Library, 171 Front St East.