Junction Public Space Initiative: Toronto's out-of-bounds attractions [Toronto star article]

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Toronto's out-of-bounds attractions [Toronto star article]

Despite the triumph of Doors Open, there are important spaces that are off limits in Toronto – architecture created for the public that is, unfathomably, locked up tight.

from the article...

The Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion says as much about the Toronto of today as of yesterday.

Built in the early 1920s, this once-marvellous lakeshore structure speaks of a time when swimming in public still entailed some modesty, not to mention formality. With its fortress-like walls and neo-classical architecture, it evokes a sense of grandeur; swimming here was not simply fun, it was ennobling.

Keep in mind that this was the place where men and women went to change into their bathing costumes, not where they went to swim. It was also a place to enjoy the scenery, read a newspaper and meet friends.

Today, it is a shadow of its former self. Semi-renovated, half-closed, it remains clearly popular. But there's a tackiness to the pavilion now that belies its builders' intentions. On a sunny evening, the café is full of Torontonians enjoying hotdogs and beer. Beach volleyballers fill the space between the building and Lake Ontario.

Look a little more closely, however, and the pavilion reveals itself as a warren of locked doors, chained gates, closed stairwells and unused spaces. Worst of all, what might be the most attractive feature of the complex, the raised balcony level that wraps around the complex, is closed. link to full article

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...why now - Public Space in the Junction

As the Junction is re-energized amid the urban revolution of the 21st century, we are challenged with the task of creating a community within our great city. The Junction Public Space Initiative attempts to answer this challenge by creating a focal point for our community to develop its culture and carve its own identity. Think of the Public Space not only as a location for farmers' markets and art shows but as a starting point for the next phase in Junction development. Join the discussion on how our community can create, build and maintain a space in which culture and identity can grow.

Martin Lennox

A public space to support the thriving community

I love the Junction, one of the oldest area's in the city and deep with history. This home to many artists and art lovers is ready for the next phase of many seen here over the years. A public space to support the thriving community is just what we need. Unique is what the Junction is and to have a public space available to its residents will grow the Junction Culture and create value for the community. This space will not only support the Arts - Festival, Art Shows etc... But also the day to day of sitting enjoying the weather and being outdoors in the hood. A Farmers Market, Sport Events, Weddings, Music, the list is endless. Once you start to ask the ideas grow and grow......

Colleen Johnston Academy of Realist Art(ARA)

...need for public space was formerly satisfied.......

The notion of public space has changed significantly since the Junction's early days. The need for public space was formerly satisfied by the local churches and fraternal organizations; while these institutions did great things for the Junction community, membership to these exclusive groups was nevertheless restricted to those with shared backgrounds or beliefs. In the ensuing years, however, a growing sense of inclusivity and diversity emerged within the Junction, and the communuity now seeks an effective public space which will allow people of different backgrounds and interests to share with others in their community. The Junction is now ready for - and indeed, needs - a permanent public space in which all citizens are included, welcomed and free to express their ideas - and their dissent - without the need of any label other than "the Junction," a term which represents both an area rich with history as well as an active, vibrant society.

David Wencer

good testing phase Junction City Square

The concept of public space is something The Junction Forum for Art & Culture has been fortunate enough to experiment with recently through the temporary use of the "Junction City Square" at Dundas & Pacific for the 2008 Junction Arts Festival, and again, upcoming in 2009. This was a good testing phase for something more permanent in the community. Of course, there are lot of longer term considerations that need to be addressed, but those concerns should not impede the clear community support for the idea of public space in the Junction.

Carmen Victor

Ontario College of Art and Design faculty

University of Toronto staff and

Junction area resident

...a view from a resident and JBIA member

As owner of a Junction business (Pandemonium), Junction resident and a Board member and Past Chair of the Junction BIA I find it hard to express my enthusiasm loud enough for the Junction Public Space Initiative. The benefits for the community would be tremendous. Economically, socially, culturally, this project has the potential to transform a neighborhood that needs a little push to get it to the next level. What I really like about this project is what it could mean to the city of Toronto as a whole; this is an opportunity to show what a reasonable amount of public investment, hand in hand with wise urban redevelopment can do to an older established neighborhood without any real publicly usable space. Let us put this initiative on the fast track and watch the benefits unfold.

Neill Cunningham

transformation

There are a number of shops in the Junction area that would greatly benefit from the Junction Public Space, like restaurants, galleries and businesses generally interested in improving the total vibe of the area they work in. More to the point it would be the residents that would have a great space to hang out in, watch performances, films or just have community based activities in. What I imagine is a European style Piazza 'feel' that although unique to its locale would create something entirely new and invigorating in the Junction. Something that is direly needed. Can't wait for the transformation to occur.

Michael Menegon. Festival director and artist - Junction Arts Festival Exec. Director 07,08

...why useful opportunites with a Junction Public Space

A public space is useful for many reasons: a place to meet, to
entertain, to observe, to rest. But, most importantly, it is an space free of any obligation to anyone. One can be in a public space for no other reason than to reflect on the community in which it exists, from a vantage point both inside and outside of it. And at the same time, by populating that space, one represents the community to others passing by. Right now, the greatest sign that the Junction is a community to reflect upon, is the emergence of the many community groups, initiatives and publications representing its residents, artists, environment, development, family life and businesses. These things are indicators of the restlessness and developing identity of the people that work and live in the Junction. The Public Space will be where they can all converge and where they can share the same vantage point, as they reflect and reflect on what they want it to be.

Louis Marrone Chair Junction Residents Association

“heart of the Junction.”

Junction journalist A.B. Rice wrote about the “heart of the Junction.”This happy phrase has always seemed so plausible to many who have found ourselves caught up in the Junction, heard the whistle in the night, and felt the rhythms of this city within a city. And now there is a growing vision of an amphitheatre set against that background on which the “citizens” of the Junction can watch their own stories played out in epic and personal form, in effect, to share the heartbeat of this place which we have all experienced. It’s been said that Canada came together in the Junction through its railways; the Junction hit maturity in the 20’s with its own theatre district.Now in the 21^st Century: public space in the heart of the Junction.What stories to tell!

Neil Ross, writer/comedian/historian, vice president, Junction Historical Society