A Dogs Query: Where’s Humber Valley’s Heritage District?I’ve been walking around my home of Humber Valley Village for almost four years with my dogs. Over time, I’ve begun asking myself the same question over and over – I think my dogs are starting to wonder the same thing:
Where’s Humber Valley’s heritage district? And, it seems by the many murals and plaques in Islington, Humber Valley Village, South Etobicoke, and on the Humber River trail that there IS quite a rich history in Humber Valley Village and beyond. But, history’s not a picture: and, the area’s past won’t be done justice by T. Montgomery’s Inn, the The Old Mill Toronto, nor, if they are still around, the Kingsway Theatre and Humber Cinemas.
Build to Save History:Now, one thing history has taught us, is that timing is everything, and, Etobicoke has a unique, short window to preserve it’s great heritage – by hitching a wagon ride onto some new development proposals in Humber Valley Village. I speak of both the proposed Humbertown Mall redevelopment (much needed, I might add) and the, perhaps farther lagging, Rona lands development – if I am using the correct term.
First, let’s congratulate First Capital Realty Inc. (and the Rona lands developer, who, I must confess I do not know of) for being willing to take on two projects that will hopefully improve the central Etobicoke. Short of being aware of the two condominium re-development proposals, I know no other details about them, so my following suggestions may, in fact, already be considered. Regardless, here are my thoughts about how Humber Valley’s need for some history preservation may be matched with an equal imperative for a new mall and condos for residents to live.
Humbertown Mall:
I don’t have an opinion about the size and number of condominium towers that should be built: nor, from my understanding of it’s LEED certification, should I be concerned about the environmental or efficiency of the project: well done! But, it’s on the bottom half – where retail tenants will be housed – of the Humbertown development that I think the Humber Valley’s history might be preserved in ‘the stone’, so to speak, of the new condo development’s foundation.
My dogs will concur, that, in walking about these past few years, there are a few Humber Valley Village institutions. So, then, picture this, as the list of retail ‘institution’ tenants that I think should have a home in the new Humbertown Mall development:
- Bruno’s Fine Foods
- Humbertown Jewellers
- Apache Burgers
- Magoo’s
- Remi’s
- Tom’s Dairy Freeze
- Old Mill Bistro
- Vanderfleet Flowers
- Kingsway-Humber Cinemas
- Meridian Credit Union
- Humber Green Pharmacy
- Chain Reaction Bicycles
- Urban Nature
- Humber Kayak & Canoe Rentals
- JB’s Fishing Depot
This list may be too long or short: only Magoos and Kingsway-Humber Cinemas are on my Top 10 Best Things to do in the Humber River Valley. My point is that Humbertown retail tenants should reflect those who mean the most to Humber Valley Village residents – while, of course, still serving their everyday needs. With these tenants, and a touch of heritage-look building exterior and signage (think Islington’s main street), history could be preserved in the bedrock of today. I threw in the few nature-related stores because of how it fits with the fact that the Humber River is such a wonderful outdoor playground: something I learned by watching videos about the Humber River.
Royal York Road:It’s obvious: the new Humbertown Mall and the Rona lands developments will bring more traffic to Royal York Road and the surrounding area. However, that doesn’t mean cars and TTC buses must go as fast as they do today. Has anyone ever driven through the Bridle Path in east Toronto: notice the speed bumps? Of course you have, because, you wouldn’t have a bottom in your car had you not slowed down going through it. Royal York Road – from Bloor Street to Eglinton Avenue East – should have the same form of speed bumps to slow traffic down while driving through – hey, now you’ve got it – the
Humber Valley Village Heritage District. If the City of Toronto declared the area of Montgomery Road to Humber River, including the Old Mill Inn & Spa – a Heritage District, wouldn’t that be great. And, wouldnt wide bicycle lanes down a slow-moving Royal York Road to Humbertown Mall - through the heritage district - that connect to the Humber Rivers trails, be a great (and SAFE) sight?
Off-Leash Dog Park:My dogs and I were discussing things the other day, and, we very much like the Humber Rivers many parks and trail system. However, we also really like walking through the Royal York Road and Dundas Street area Hydro fields to Bloor: and, so do a lot of other dogs off leash, we notice. And, there’s a very nice meadow just east by the Dundas Street Humber River bridge: running parallel with the railway tracks. However, Humber Valley’s new Heritage District – my dogs and I agree unanimously on this one – needs a grass-walking bridge crossing Royal York Road that connects the Hydro fields, to the Humber River trail, and the meadow at Dundas Street and the Humber River.
Vote for a Humber Valley Heritage District?So, there you, that’s the question my dogs and I have been asking ourselves as we have walked around Etobicoke for the past few years: looking at murals, reading plaques and listening to conversations about the places residents who have lived here their lifetime talk about. My (our) thoughts may already be addressed in First Capital Realty’s development plans – and that of the Rona lands developer – but, the idea of a
Humber Valley Heritage District seemed to good not to share. When you have the time, vote about the
Humber Valley Heritage District idea.
A Dogs Query Where’s Humber Valley’s Heritage District
