Regent Park Food and Gardens

 Ensuring all people have access to affordable, culturally diverse, fresh and nutrient-rich foods is vital to the overall health of the community. Regent Park has a long history of food advocacy. In the 1980s, the high cost to buying fresh food was identified as a barrier to good nutrition, so the Regent Park Community Health Centre, along with the CRC, negotiated various green spaces in Regent Park to convert them to urban gardens. Well over 300 families worked on their own allotted gardens and grew foods for their families.

What we found was we had some excellent urban farmers living in Regent Park. They’ve been able to grow such foods as okra, black pepper, and even rice! 

However, we also knew that not everyone could farm nor did we have the space to ensure there was enough room to grow food for everyone who lives in the community. Developing food security initiatives has therefore long been a priority for Regent Park. 

Currently, there are several new projects that are working to enhance food security for the community. The new Food Centre at the Christian Resource Centre and the Regent Park Farmers’ Market are just a few of the initiatives that are coming into the neighbourhood this year.  

Even more food initiatives will be developing alongside the completion of Regent Park park and still more when the Athletics Grounds are complete. This unique approach to urban agriculture speaks to the creativity and ingenuity found in Regent Park.

With the support of long-serving community agencies, urban farming continues to be a vital tool for many residents, and we are excited to see the new food projects being initiated in Regent Park -- especially the Regent Park Farmers’ Market, which launches today! Make sure to stop by and check out the flyer on our website for more information.

Open Letter to Regent Park Graduates

To All of Our Graduates,

Whether you are graduating grade 6, 8, 12 or you've finished your post-secondary degree , we would like to take a moment and congratulate you on your accomplishments. As you prepare for the next chapter of life, be proud of the work you have done thus far, because we are. Whether you are heading into high school, post secondary school, or leaving academia for the workforce, take a moment and celebrate your milestone.

Preparing for the next stage of your life can be scary and overwhelming; the unknowns can seem daunting. Remember that the obstacles you will face are surmountable and are a true test of your character. Never shy away from life’s challenges; embrace and defeat them with the resilience that can only come from your story. Most importantly never forget that you have a community standing behind you, cheering you on.

Do not be afraid of the changes that will come with your approaching journey. The places and people may differ over-time, but learn to embrace these experiences as stepping stones for a greater purpose. Do not shy away from the opportunities that are presented. Always take a leap of faith; you are ready.

You will always be your hardest critic in life -- sometimes believing that your goals are too large and your accomplishments too small -- but this cannot be further from the truth. The little things are what build one’s character and will make you the best version of yourself. Let your will to succeed be your driving force and take you to places you never thought possible.

We are all so proud of your accomplishments and know that whatever you want to achieve in life is possible if you work hard for it. Others cannot define you; it is your drive and will to succeed that will elevate you to the next level. You are worthy of all the success you receive and never allow anyone to take that away from you.

We wish you all the best in this next chapter and look forward to your continued success.

From,

All of Us in Regent Park

Community Crisis Response Network Updates

This past Thursday, Regent Park’s Community Crisis Response Network held a meeting to review the Network’s structure and to receive an update from 51 Division.

The Community Crisis Response Network (CCRN) has worked in Regent Park for many years to ensure the community receives the support it needs in times of crisis, disaster, or tragedy. Through instability that comes from the community redevelopment, the CCRN has faced some challenges maintaining its efficacy. Reorganization is underway to better enable the network to provide community support.

The community has clearly stated that safety in Regent Park is of the highest priority. We recognize the importance of having a structured network of support, and hope that among the changes, a return to the networks original community-led structure.

At this most recent meeting, representatives from Toronto Police Service’s 51 Division offered an update on 51 Division’s plans and strategy to help keep Regent Park safe and stressed the importance of working with the community to achieve our common goals. Constable Somers introduced us to our four Community Response officers, mandated to focus specifically on Regent Park’s safety. 

The Community Response officers will now work in the community for a minimum of one year (previously 6 months) and are encouraged to remain for two or more years. This new protocol will enable them to better serve Regent Park by becoming a part of the community. The officers expressed their desire to have the trust of the Regent Park neighbourhood and its collaboration to facilitate their work, and emphasized their willingness to be approached by residents.

Residents with information on criminal activity are recommended to approach these officers, or to contact the Community Response Unit Manager, Staff Sergeant John Spanton, at 416-808-5152.

Also, gun incidents will now be investigated and handled by a specified gun violence police team. This is to help avoid miscommunication or duplication of information, and so that these issues get dedicated, vigilant care.

Constables Somers noted that they are conscious of the escalated risk of violence in the community during the summer and they will work hard to protect the community. Toward this goal, they will be holding a Gun Amnesty Day in the summer, from June 3-14th to allow those  in possession of firearms to submit weapons to the police to be destroyed, no questions asked* and no risk of prosecution.

51 Division will be hosting a BBQ to show their appreciation for the community on June 15^th. All are welcome!

If you are interested in participating in the CCRN and receiving as a first responder, please contact us at debra@rpni.ca.

     *For the firearm to be discarded properly an adult must give permission to the police to  destroy the weapon

The New Nelson Mandela Park Public School & Opening Celebration

On the 19th of March 2013, after over two years of renovation, Toronto’s oldest school, Nelson Mandela Public Park School, reopened its doors to Regent Park students. Though the renovation was not without its own frustrations and controversy, the community is thrilled to have the new and improved school up and running again.  The school will be holding a celebration of its reopening on June 10^th from 1-3p.m. for the community at large.

For more photos of the school, visit www.rpni.ca/media.html

In the true spirit of Regent Park community and activism, the rebuild of the school was done in consultation with the community to meet the needs and concerns of the neighbourhood. Thus the school reflects the revitalized tone of the community: not a complete rebuild, but a promotion and rejuvenation of the already vibrant assets of the community.

Recently, I was lucky enough to participate in a community tour of the school, led by two lovely eighth grade students, Saudia and Emily, and got to see all the bright, new changes. The building is impressive, with nearly seamless blending of old and new architecture (though some of the original flooring appears discoloured and somewhat out of place in the modern looking school). There are several new additions to the building, including a new library, amphitheatre, ramp and elevator to make the space accessible, as well as some reconstructed familiar spaces.

The basement, once dank and dreary, was redone to allow for more space and light. Though the renovation was thorough, many aspects of the old school were kept and, where needed, cleaned and restored – including expanded windows to allow for more light. The building looks and feels like a bright and welcoming place for students, and indeed students, parents, and teachers alike are happy with the change (so we’ve heard).

Already, according to Vice Principal Jason Kandankery, Nelson Mandela Park graduates are returning to see the new building, impressed with the changes and wondering how their commitment to their education might have changed had they enjoyed such a welcoming space.

Not only are the building renovations impressive, but also the school was equipped with new furniture and technology. The most impressive change might well be the addition of projectors and microphones with surround-sound speakers in each classroom: supports proven to increase learning retention.

The school has a year’s grace period to report problems to the builders to be fixed. Still, construction is not complete; the new Regent Park Community Centre is to be built to wrap around the school, facilitating the creation of a community hub, heavily advocated for by the residents.

Of course the space is just the opportunity, and what we make of that opportunity determines its success. We are eagerly looking forward to seeing what incredible developments come from investing in the younger generations.

For photos of a few of the changes, visit our facebook page and check out the Nelson Mandela Park Public School photo album (www.facebook.com/RegentParkNeighbourhoodInitiative). Also be sure to come out for the celebration of the reopening on June 10th!

New Proposed Rezoning Plans

The Regent Park community may soon see a significant population expansion.  Toronto Community Housing Corporation and Daniels Corp have submitted a re-zoning application to be voted on by City Council to increase the density in Regent Park from 5400 to 7500 units. 

Though Toronto Community Housing offers updates regularly, it is always possible to miss important content being provided. We all go to meetings looking for information that pertains to us in the moment, possibly missing even some of the most important content.  This update, however, is important not to miss.

Why the Change?

According to our sources, the reasoning behind the increase of density is connected to the decision made to create an Athletics Field on the lands at River and Shuter. This required that housing scheduled to be built on that property be distributed elsewhere in Regent Park.

In addition, it has become apparent that Regent Park has become a community where people want to live. This, of course, is good news; however, the mixed density would see significant changes to the total number of homeowners and rent-geared-to income homes.

This proposed plan moves from what was approximately a 60-40% split to a proposed 75-25% split (owners to renters).

This may or may not be a positive outcome -- that’s up to you to decide -- but we wanted to be sure that you were aware of the pending consultations and outcomes.

Let Your Voice Be Heard?

There will be two upcoming meetings for you to attend and get information. TCHC is hosting a tenant update meeting on May 16th at 6:30 p.m. at Lord Dufferin Public School, and the City of Toronto is hosting a community consultation on June 10th at 7 p.m. at the Daniels Spectrum. 

We encourage you to attend both meetings and voice your opinions.