Rabbits

Location: Queen Street at River

Date photo taken: 30 January 2018

These two rabbits are part of a new mural which appeared last summer along the Queen Street facade of the Toronto Humane Society building at River Street. The artist, Uber5000, got up close and personal with the different types of animals that the THS cares for when he volunteered to help decorate the two meet-and-greet rooms in the building. Those rooms now each sport a doggie portrait. The outside is more inclusive, featuring, in addition to these rabbits, cats, gerbils, and a turtle, along with the dogs.

Lineal Order

Location: 71 Simcoe Street, near King
Date photo taken: 3 June 2014

This gaunt figure stands outside of the Symphony Place condominiums on Simcoe Street. The man, cast in bronze, is dressed in a nondescript overcoat and nothing more. Across from him, unseen in this picture, is another bronze figure, this time of a child, similarly clad in just an overcoat. The figures are timeless and one can't help but wonder what they are meant to evoke, standing as they do on the doorstep of this luxury condominium. The installation is by George Boileau.

No Shoes

Location: Mill St. and Bayview Ave.
Date photo taken: 20 October 2017

This monumental sculpture adorns the southern edge of Corktown Common, the park that anchors the new West Don Lands community near the Don Valley and Lakeshore. Composed of painted girders and natural wood poles, its materials are a perfect match for the neighbourhood which lies close to both a natural corridor and industrial lands. It was a surprise to me then to learn that this piece was actually commissioned for the International Sculpture Symposium in High Park held in 1967. The work was restored and moved to Corktown Common in 2013, with the help of the sculptor, Mark Di Suvero. Here's a great shot of it sitting in High Park in 1967, from the City of Toronto Archives.

Sugar Beach

Location: At the foot of Lower Jarvis, south of Queens Quay
Date photo taken: 19 February 2017

Sugar Beach, located across the slip from the Redpath Sugar factory, is one of Toronto's newer and already most iconic parks. Half of the park is given over to a beach space complete with comfy chairs and 36 lovely pink umbrellas. The other half of the park is a plaza designed for hosting programmed and more spontaneous events. The two halves are bisected by the Waterfront Promenade. Even in the winter, Sugar Beach has its appeal. On a sunny day like this one, the water looks spectacular and the sand under the umbrellas glows pink. This weekend, the park will once again host Sugar Shack TO, a free event with live entertainment, a marketplace, a specialty bar and of course, some sweet treats.

Owl and Raccoon

Location: East end of Carlton Street

Date photo taken: 30 January 2018

What happens when a tree dies in the city? While dead trees provide homes for birds and animals, when they are located along the street or in a park, they also represent a significant safety risk. For this reason, the city's Parks, Forestry and Recreation division will come and remove it. When an oak tree on the edge of Riverdale Park West died several years ago however someone came up with a twist on the idea. While the majority of the tree was removed, the bottom portion of the trunk was left intact. Jim Menken, a chainsaw artist, then worked his magic. Drawing inspiration from the shape and quirks of the tree, he populated the stump with some local wildlife. Apparently the original tree was so diseased it was hollow inside, so another stump had to be brought in from the city's wood lot, but it all worked out in the end.

Note: Over the past several years, due in large part to the emerald ash borer, the City has had to remove a lot of trees. Traditionally, these have been chipped and then disposed of. While researching this blog, I read about someone who thought this was a waste and did something about it. Sid Gendron now operates a sawmill that takes urban wood and turns it into wood products that local businesses can use. Read more about Sawmill Sid in this National Post article.

Kingsway Billiards

Location: 3056 Bloor St. W., near Royal York
Date photo taken: 9 January 2017

The Crooked Cue pool hall and restaurant has been in this Bloor Street West location since 1992 but the building has been dedicated to recreation since its first tenant opened its doors in the late 1940s. The Toronto Star ran a notice announcing the opening of the 16 lane Kingsway Bowling Academy on September 19, 1947. The Pappas family bought the building in the 1950s and eventually bowling gave way to billiards. The old school pool hall with its snack bar was renovated in 1992 when the next generation of the Pappas family took over, adding a full bar and restaurant. I'm not sure when during the building's history the neon sign was installed but I love it.

Flower Hearts

Location: Maclean Avenue
Date photo taken: 1 May 2013

I'm going to guess that these charming hearts are long gone but they sure brightened my day when I spotted them on the base of the street lamp posts along Maclean Avenue years ago. Happy Valentine's Day!