Over the past few months, a group of residents near Coxwell and Danforth have organized themselves into the Friends of Monarch Park, and are now gathering input from other residents and park users, to find out what improvements and additions could be made to make the beloved neighbourhood park even better.
Karen Rapp, a spokesperson for the roughly 100-member group, said everyone involved just wants to figure out how to make the park even better.
“We’re a group of volunteers that are really interested in improving the green space, cultural and recreational activities that take place in the park. We’re all volunteers, we all live in the neighbourhood, we’re very open to sharing ideas,” she said.
The group is in the process of gathering input from as many people as possible, both in a general sense, as well as specific to several particular areas the Friends are looking more closely at. Rapp sits both on the overall steering committee for the Friends, as well as on the parking and infrastructure committee. Other committees set up by the group include those concentrating on the off-leash dog area, facilities, and clubhouse events and projects. That last committee is organizing the first official event for the Friends of Monarch Park – a picnic open to all area residents and park users on Saturday, Sept. 22. The event is meant both to get more neighbours involved, as well as to allow members of the Friends’ Yahoo! group to meet face to face.
“We really want to meet everybody in person,” said Rapp. “Just come on out to enjoy the park and get to know everyone.”
The picnic will run from 2 to 6 p.m., with a rain date of Sunday, Sept. 23. There will be face painting, a kids’ colouring table, games, a scavenger hunt, a visit from the fire department, a dance performance put on by local group S.P.A.C.E. and a family yoga demo. For more information on the Friends of Monarch Park, join the group at friends.monarchpark@yahoo.ca , search for them on Facebook, or head to the park on Sept. 22.
Did you enjoy this article? Become a Beach Metro Community News Supporter today! For 50 years, we have worked hard to be the eyes and ears in your community, inform you of upcoming events, and let you know what and who is making a difference. We cover the big stories as well as the little things that often matter the most. CLICK HERE to support your Beach Metro Community News!
