Residents consider next steps in bid for walkway connecting Danforth GO station to Stephenson Avenue

By MATTHEW STEPHENS

Local advocates reported a successful turnout for last week’s public meeting to discuss the possibility of a new pedestrian connection to the Danforth GO station.

“Overall, I was very pleased with how the evening went,” said meeting organizer Dan Balcaban. “We had approximately 50–60 residents attend, which was a fantastic turnout, and the audience was engaged throughout with thoughtful questions and discussion.”

Balcaban said feedback from attendees at the June 8 meeting was “overwhelmingly positive,” and that “recurring themes” such as safety and accessibility were pivotal topics of discussion.

“The recurring themes we heard throughout the petition, survey, and in-person discussion were safety, accessibility, transit connectivity, future growth in the area, and the need to better understand how residents can safely access Danforth GO Station as the neighbourhood continues to evolve,” said Balcaban in an email to Beach Metro.

Hosted at Comedy Bar Danforth, meeting attendees were joined by Beaches-East York council candidates, community advocates, and Craig Ruttan, Chief of Staff for Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford’s office.

Balcaban said the meeting sought to discuss the progress of the initiative, share community feedback, and get a “better understanding of what the next steps might look like.”

“I walked attendees through the origins of the project, the safety and accessibility concerns that have been raised by residents, the research undertaken to identify land ownership and stakeholders, and the significant community support demonstrated through both the petition and survey process,” said Balcaban.

Balcaban said the meeting heard promising news regarding the “feasibility” of the proposed pedestrian connection from Stephenson Avenue to Danforth GO station, and attendees were provided with more information about the city’s role in the process, and how the project’s evaluation will be facilitated.

While candidates in the upcoming municipal election did not participate as speakers, Balcaban said they were given an opportunity to “engage in informal conversations before and after the meeting.”

For the last year, residents have been petitioning for pedestrian safety and improved access to the Danforth GO station, sparking discussions amongst advocates, city staff, councillors, and local stakeholders such as Metrolinx.

With his petition, Balcaban is also seeking to expand the parking lot just north of the GO station, which currently also serves as a lot for the Main Square Community Centre and includes minimal vehicle parking spaces for pick up and drop-offs.

In recent months, both Councillor Bradford and Beaches-East York MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon have expressed a “keen” interest in Balcaban’s petition, which is now just 46 signatures shy of its 300-signature goal.

Following last week’s meeting, Balcaban said his next steps will be to provide residents with a better understanding of what’s possible through the results of the city’s feasibility study.

“At this stage, the focus remains on the proposed Stephenson Avenue to Danforth GO connection and understanding what may be possible through the forthcoming feasibility study process,” said Balcaban.

For more information about the Danforth GO petition, head to https://www.openpetition.org/ca/petition/online/safer-access-to-danforth-go-build-a-sidewalk-path-from-stephenson-ave.