Sorauren Park
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NEWS | Archives
5 November 2008
The floors are in!
A big thank-you to Pollocks Carpet Market and Bousada - The Art of Flooring for the donation and installation of the new floors in the Fieldhouse. Pollocks donated the downstairs floor and Bousada the upstairs floor. Both are now complete and look beautiful. The Wabash Building Society is working with the City of Toronto to finalize the permitting process for the Fieldhouse, with permits expected to be available starting in January. Watch for news here or sign up for our occasional newsletter.
5 November 2008
“Lake Wabash” update
You may be wondering what’s happening with the piles of dirt in “Lake Wabash,” the depression in the off-leash area that becomes a collecting pond during rainy periods. We understand the grading is being raised so that run-off is directed westward down the swale that runs along the path beside the soccer field, terminating in a catch basin. Watch for the piles to be spread over Lake Wabash soon.
5 November 2008
Pumpkin parade biggest yet
The fifth annual Pumpkin Parade attracted the largest number of pumpkins — up to 2,000 — and more onlookers than ever before. It was a festive evening and who can forget the Obama pumpkins, the Keith Ledger Joker, the spectacular haunted house pumpkin, the Stephen Harper pumpkin, and so many more great works of pumpkin art. Check out some of the wonderful photos on Flickr.com.
30 October 2008
Pumpkin sale and parade days
The first Sorauren Pumpkin sale raised over $2,000 last Saturday for the Fieldhouse fund to pay for essentials like flooring installation... a big thank-you to everyone who bought a pumpkin, and to WBS director (and real estate agent) Chander Chaddah, TD Canada Trust residential mortgage manager Joanna Makaroff, and her staff from the bank on Roncey for organizing and staffing the event. See the pictures here.
And, of course, everyone is invited to bring their jack-o-lanterns back to the park for the world-famous Sorauren Pumpkin Parade on Nov. 1, the day after Halloween. Check the videos on YouTube for last year’s parade.
18 October 2008
A beautiful day for planting
A hardy crew descended on the Fieldhouse site this morning to plant the latest batch of 13 native trees and 18 clematis plants (along the fence line); click here for pictures. It was a beautiful morning and there was much excitement when Justine stumbled across a nest of pink, fur-less and madly squeaking newborn mice in the hot mulch pile.
Many thanks to Jonas and crew from Ecoman residential landscaping for helping us man-handle the big hawthorns into place, along with planting other trees. The trees have been purchased thanks to a grant from the Evergreen Wal-Mart Common Grounds Fund.
Special thanks also to Mary and Victoria from Plant Architect, Jennifer from Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation, David from Oleson Worland Architects and all the other volunteers for their hard work and dedication.
10 October 2008
Painting and subflooring days
a success
Thanks to all the volunteers and donors who helped with
our successful painting day on Sept. 27 and the subfloor installation on Oct. 4.
An enthusiastic crew led by volunteer paint captains Susan Vandendam and Douglas Shepherd finished both the upstairs and downstairs painting. Paint and supplies were generously donated by High Park Paint and Wallpaper (thanks Frank!) and Pollocks Home Hardware (thanks Len!). Special thanks to all the volunteer adults and kids, and the crew from Metro Girl Fitness. For more pictures, click here.
The following Saturday, Kevin, Rob, Andy, and Jennifer provided the main volunteer labour for the downstairs subfloor installation. The new final floor has been donated by Pollocks Carpet Market (thanks Guilio!) and installation began this week. Click here for more photos.
Upstairs flooring has been donated by Bousada Flooring and installation is imminent.
8 September 2008
Sports tournaments, Metro Girl Fitness bootcamps keep park hoppin’
It’s a busy fall at the park with the Sorauren FUNtastic Tourney over three consecutive weekends, hosted by the Sorauren Park Sports’ Association and with 750 kids participating. Check out the SPSA web site for more info.
Plus, the new Metro Girl Fitness outdoor “bootcamps” have been a big success. “My partner Emma and I have been overwhelmed by the interest in our three camps,” reports Sarah Mcdougall. Check out their web site here for dates and rates.
31 May 2008
The first Fieldhouse planting day was a success with dozens of native shrubs planted on the south and east side of building, and couple of trees planted on the north side. More…
24 May 2008
First neighbourhood-wide yard sale a fundraiser for Sorauren Fieldhouse/Wabash campaigns
This Saturday, May 31 marks the first neighbourhood-wide yard sale.... and the organizers are asking participants to donate 10% of their proceeds to the Sorauren/Wabash campaigns! More…
5 May 2008
Fieldhouse ribbon-cutting with Mayor Miller a big success
The Sorauren Park Fieldhouse was officially opened May 5 with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by approximately 600 residents and a gathering of VIPs. More…
21 April 2008
Fieldhouse open house attracts crowds; May 5 ribbon cutting and BBQ coming next!
Hundreds of residents and visitors got their first inside peek at the new Sorauren Park Fieldhouse at the April 19 open house. More…
2 April 2008
Dog Committee responding to complaints; clean-up planned
The Sorauren Park Dog Committee is taking action to preserve off-leash privileges at the park. It is also planning a spring clean-up day before the sports season begins. Click here for more information.
1 February 2008
A new web site for Sorauren Park
Welcome to SoraurenPark.com, a new site designed to connect all park users and organizations, and to provide news and information about upcoming events and the new Fieldhouse.
The site is maintained by the Wabash Building Society, a non-profit, volunteer-run, community-based organization dedicated to developing the City-owned property along the southern edge of the park (Wabash Avenue) into new recreational and community facilities. The Sorauren Park Fieldhouse is just the first phase of bringing the old industrial site back to life for community use.
Sorauren Park and all its related facilities are owned by the City of Toronto. If you have immediate issues related to park safety or maintenance, please contact Parks, Forestry and Recreation. The volunteers who maintain this site will also be able to forward your concerns, but it may take several days.
If you have ideas or comments on this site or the park, please use the Contact Us form to reach us. We encourage feedback. Keep in mind it may take a few days to answer queries. See you at the park!
UPCOMING…
Wabash Building Society meetings
Contribute your ideas and energy to the Sorauren Park Fieldhouse and the development of the remainder of the Wabash property.
Fourth Monday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Fieldhouse. Next dates:
November 17
Sorauren Park Farmers’ Market
The Farmers Market is now closed after a successful first season. Thanks to all the customers and vendors. For information, and to volunteer, contact janna@westendfood.coop or visit www.westendfood.coop/farmers-market
Last Tuesday of each month, at Fern Avenue Public School, 7 p.m.
JOIN our list…
Join the Sorauren Park list for news of park happenings and to volunteer for park projects such as the gardening crew. Notices are sent occasionally as things happen at the park. Our list is never rented or sold, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Simply send an email here and you will be part of the virtual Sorauren Park community.
Fieldhouse opening day photos by Nancy Clark and courtesy of Brad Eyre.
This website is maintained by volunteers of the Wabash Building Society.
Sorauren Park is part of the City of Toronto's Parks, Forestry and Recreation department, and is operated in conjunction with several community groups, including the Wabash Building Society, Sorauren Park (Sports) Association, K9 Committee, Sorauren Park Festival Committee, and Sorauren Park Community Advisory Committee.
