REPORT FOR ACTION Naming of a Public Lane located west of Lansdowne Avenue, extending northerly from Whytock Avenue Date: June 6, 2018 To: Toronto and East York Community Council From: Director, Engineering Support Services, Engineering and Construction Services Wards: 18 Davenport SUMMARY This report recommends that the name "Kristen Fahrig Lane" be approved to identify a public lane located west of Lansdowne Avenue, extending northerly from Whytock Avenue. Community Councils have delegated authority to decide street naming matters which comply with the City of Toronto Street Naming Policy. RECOMMENDATIONS Engineering and Construction Services recommends that Toronto and East York Community Council: 1. Approve the name "Kristen Fahrig Lane" for a public lane located west of Lansdowne Avenue, extending northerly from Whytock Avenue. FINANCIAL IMPACT The cost to install two street name signs is approximately $500 and is included within the Transportation Services Division Operating Budget. DECISION HISTORY This is the first time that this issue is before Community Council. Page 1 of 5 COMMENTS An application was received on April 18, 2018 from Noah Frank, of Bloordale Community Improvement Association, to name the lane located west of Lansdowne Avenue, extending northerly from Whytock Avenue, "Kristen Fahrig Lane", in honour of a prominent artist and teacher.The following rationale, background and letters of support were provided by the applicant: "Kristen Fahrig" "Kristen had a huge impact on the area, specifically at MacGregor Park. I found it fitting to name the laneway that begins just north of the park and terminates just south of Bloor to honour her memory. I have attached multiple letters of support from Marit Stiles (TDSB Trustee), Cristina Martins (MPP), Ana Bailao (Councillor), and Botanicus (the organization that Kristen led) all explaining Kristen’s immense, positive local impact." Letter of Support from Councillor Bailao dated April 19, 2018: "As Deputy Mayor and local City Councillor for Ward 18, Davenport, I am writing to express my support for the laneway naming initiative in honour of Kristen Fahrig. Kristen's lifelong dedication to community involvement and artistic expression has left an unmeasurable positive legacy on our community and in our City. In 2003, Kristen, helped kick-start the metamorphosis of MacGregor Playground into a vibrant hub of arts, recreation and community. Through the high quality artist programming created and offered through Kristen's leadership at the park, the local community has grown more connected, safer and engaged. In 2015, the Botanicus Art Ensemble non-profit group was established, growing from the roots set in place to build and continue the vision of creative programming and engagement in the park. Kristen in all her efforts cemented a legacy of connection, creativity and empowerment in the community and I share my sincere support for naming the laneway in her honour." Letter of Support from Lorraine Maltese and Kiersten Tough, Co-Artistic Directors Botanicus Art Ensemble: "Botanicus Art Ensemble (founded by Kristen Fahrig) enthusiastically supports the laneway naming initiative proposed by the Bloordale Community Improvement Association. In 2003 MacGregor Playground (located on Lansdowne Ave. north of College St.) had a reputation as a deserted ‘crack park’. Neighbours of the park had heard about Artist Kristen Fahrig’s art projects in other local parks, and asked her to consider bringing positive, creative art programming to MacGregor Playground. With support from the Arts Councils, Toronto Parks Forestry & Recreation, the City Councillor’s office and multiple community partners inch by inch over the past 13 years a significant metamorphosis happened in this once-orphaned place. The idea was to re-establish the park as a safe space for all by animating it through art, expanding its cultural definition in the area, creating a sense of commonality with themes like local history, migration, and the Page 2 of 5 natural cycle of the Seasons, Equinox, Solstice and Canada Day celebrations along with the building and planting of a teaching garden and a natural species garden in 2016. This allowed the community to gather and feel rooted in their collective experiences and brought the finest artists of varied disciplines to work with a diverse community for art engagement and education opportunities, creating a sense of folklore in the process." Letter of Support from Marit Stiles, TDSB Trustee Ward 9, Davenport: "It is my great pleasure to support the proposal to name of one of our local laneways in honour of Kristen Fahrig, the Founder of Botanicus Art Ensemble and an integral part of the revival of MacGregor Park. Ms. Fahrig passed away in November 2017 and her loss has been deeply felt by the community. A prominent and award-winning artist and teacher, developing programs for schools in Toronto and surrounding communities, Ms. Fahrig emphasized design as a form of communication. Her work was impactful, and she received several awards including Community Arts Ontario Best Practices Award for Equity and Diversity Achievement in 2003 and 2004. But her commitment to community was most clearly expressed through her work at MacGregor Park and through the Botanicus Art Ensemble. In 2003 she founded the MacGregor Park Art Club in what was at the time an underutilized and uninviting space in our neighbourhood. This work and her commitment to an inclusive Park Improvement and Beautification Project culminated in a commitment from the City of Toronto to renovate the Park Fieldhouse and parklands." Letter of Support from Cristina Martins MPP for Davenport: "I am writing in support of the lane way naming initiative in honour of Kristen Fahrig. This lane way would celebrate the talent and hard work of an amazing artist in our community. Kristen Fahrig died of cancer on November 10, 2017 and her legacy continues to impact our neighbourhood today. Kristen was an innovator whose many accomplishments showed her desire to better the state of our neighbourhood. She used her talents in creating fashion textiles to tell larger stories about the effect that culture has on what we wear and our psyches. Exploring topics such as the influence of technology on our lives and how the human body is connected to the natural world. For her work she has received several awards including Community Arts Ontario Best Practices Award for Equity and Diversity Achievement. I had the pleasure of knowing Kristen and was given the opportunity to work with her on the revival of Macgregor Park. This project exemplified her commitment to the community and to the revival of public spaces. Kristen was the founder of Botanicus Art Ensemble and was asked to lead a beautification project in the park by her neighbours and proceeded to spearhead the project, seeking and receiving funding from multiple granting agencies. Kristen transformed a dangerous and deserted space into a beautiful fieldhouse and parkland. I truly believe that her passion for community development and engagement has made Davenport a better place. The naming of this lane way after Kristen Fahrig is an important step in honouring the legacy of such a talented and hardworking individual." Page 3 of 5 Kristen Fahrig passed away in November 10, 2017. Consent was provided by Lenore Fahrig, Martha MacFie and Rebecca Fahrig, sisters of the named party. This naming was reviewed under the provisions of Section 3.8 of the Street Naming Policy which states: "3.8 Street names, including ceremonial names, shall not: "3.8.6 Make a direct or indirect reference to recent events or recently deceased individuals, except where the event or the individual had a legacy or significant contributions to the City of Toronto. Names of recent events or recently deceased individual may be considered after two years" Based on the legacy of significant contributions made by Kristen Fahrig, it is determined that this naming is in compliance with the Street Naming Policy. The proposed name has been circulated for comment and is acceptable to Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire Services, Toronto Paramedic Services and Councillor Bailao. Community support was demonstrated with a petition of signatures from property owners/ residents who directly abut the lane as well as letters of support from local community members and organizations. The lane is shown as PART 1 on Attachment No.1 Sketch No. PS-2018-060. This naming proposal complies with the City of Toronto Street Naming Policy Street Naming Policy CONTACT Kerry Ferguson, OLS, Manager, Land and Property Surveys, Engineering Support Services, Engineering and Construction Services, Telephone: 416 392-7757, Email: [email protected] SIGNATURE Mika Raisanen, P. Eng., Director, Engineering Support Services, Engineering and Construction Services ATTACHMENT Attachment No. 1 Sketch No. PS-2018-060 Page 4 of 5 Attachment No. 1 Sketch No. PS-2018-060, showing the location of the lane west of Lansdowne Avenue, extending northerly from Whytock Avenue. Page 5 of 5 .