Community Conversations
Summer 2022
(June 2022 - August 2022)
The warmer weather coupled with the relaxing of COVID 19 related public health measures were key to the re emergence of community focussed event planning and execution. As the hybrid work model became more widely adopted, the face-to-face conversations were mixed with a continuation of Zoom and telephone updates.
Several community groups joined together to form event planning teams to activate Weston for the summer which included several Pop-up events at 1844 Weston Road.
A highlight of the month of June was the Weston Park Development presence at the Weston BIA Farmers Market which featured a Pop-Up information team who welcomed visitors each Saturday at the Farmers Market Artscape site to stop and meet and learn about the status of the redevelopment from on hand team members. A late June highlight was the Weston Park Public Open House where the Weston Park Castlepoint team presented an in person update on the project’ status and application with the City of Toronto, the details of which are posted on this website
Regular participation in Weston community groups’ monthly meetings and Weston Walks were organized throughout the summer days and evenings. The summer also had a number of community activations including the SIA Weston Weekend and the Frontlines -led Taste of Weston held at 1844 Weston Road which attracted more than 400 visitors. The Weston’s vaccination ambassador program activations continued all summer long as well. The new properties acquisitions and prospective new tenants for the existing buildings came up in conversations.
Top of mind during these conversations was the re opening of the economy, housing, and public transportation – many spoke of the desire to see a community-driven transportation plan for Weston.
Recurring topics included inflation and the rising cost of food and housing availability which were mentioned in the context of the summer provincial election and the approaching Autumn municipal election.
We continue to reach out and learn about the stakeholders who make Weston the community it is and their collective aspirations. Interviews, calls, emails, social media participation and virtual conversations with individuals and community groups are core communication tools of the Community Conversations program.
Top Community Conversation Topics
Affordable and attainable housing
Provincial and municipal elections
Neighbourhood events and property acquisitions
Food security and price increases for food basics
By the Numbers
Since the launch of the Weston Park redevelopment in February 2022, we have had an established program of regular visits to locations in and around Weston. We are committed to be flexible and conduct conversations in formats that accommodate participants’ circumstances using virtual meetings and telephone alternatives to connect and stay in touch.
These discussions continue to generate insights into the way Weston lives and works, the deeply felt sense of community in Weston and the future aspirations and hopes for the future generations of Weston.