Water Guardians

 

Location: Front St. E., between Rolling Mills and Tannery Roads

Date photo taken: 1 June 2019

The West Don Lands community is a still developing neighbourhood at the eastern edge of the downtown core. Home to the Pan Am Games athletes in 2015, all aspects of this community were carefully planned to create a vibrant, livable neighbourhood. A gorgeous park anchors one end, transit options abound and sidewalks are wide enough to be called promenades. Waterfront Toronto, the body responsible for the redevelopment, even incorporated a Public Art Strategy into the early stages of the work. The result is a collection of pretty amazing new works and the seamless integration of an older piece. Water Guardians, created by Jennifer Marman and Daniel Borins with James Khamsi is one of the new pieces. It sits adjacent to the splash pad and is, for the most part, endearing. I'll admit though that there have been times at night when its glowing eyes and lumbering attitude evoke a classic monster-movie vibe.

Blast From the Past - Croft Street Garage

 

Location: Croft Street

Date photo taken: 29 August 2013

This mural is one of many that adorn Croft Street, a laneway running between College and Harbord. Or rather, it did. It was painted over, or the garage door replaced, sometime between June 2016 and July 2018. While these eyes may no longer watch over the lane, there are still more than enough murals along this stretch to qualify it as one of the most Instagrammable spots in Toronto.

Connaught Gates

 

Location: Claxton Blvd at Bathurst

Date photo taken: 23 November 2019

These gates, which sit majestically at the entrance to Claxton Boulevard, have had their ups and downs. When first built in 1913, they were a promise of good things to come. Standing at the entrance to what would become Cedar Vale, an upscale community of expensive homes and large lots, they were intended as a lure for potential buyers. The first world war intervened however and that community never took shape. For years the gates stood in isolation, a developer's folly, but inevitably a community did grow behind the gates. With its modest homes and low rise apartments however it seemed out of step with its grand entrance. Eventually the gates fell into disrepair. Enter Terry McAulffe, a local resident and historian. In 1999 he started a campaign to have the gates restored to their former glory. Councillor Joe Mihevc convinced the City to restore the gates, and members of CLARA, the local Ratepayers' Association, took on the task of replacing the large lanterns which had disappeared long ago. A local firm, Lighting Nelson & Garrett, was commissioned to design and build the fixtures and on Victoria Day 2004, the lights were lit for the first time. To see design drawings and fabrication photos, as a well as an archival photo of the gates standing in isolation, check out the Connaught Gates page on CLARA's website.

Fire happens fast

Location: Sherbourne, between King and Adelaide

Date photo taken: 5 August 2020

I stopped and did a double take when I saw this ad. Not because I thought the building was on fire, but I wanted a closer look. This isn't a peel, running up the brick and onto the windows. There are no windows on this wall. The ad was created to match the wall colour and the size, placement and detail of the windows perfectly. Well done Publicis Media.

Lakeside Pumpkinseed

Location: Lakeshore Road, between Lower Sherbourne and Richardson St.
Date photo taken: 29 July 2020

This image of Toronto is from the block long mural currently to be found on the construction hoarding around the Lakeside Residences site on Lakeshore. By artist Pam Lostracco, the scene reflects both the built city and the nature that surrounds it. Water plants, birds and fish, such as this pumpkinseed, all represent local species. Each is identified by name and rendered actual size, so walking the length of the mural can be an educational experience. The hoarding itself is reflective, so in addition to the city being reflected in the water of the mural, the mural itself also reflects the sky and its neighbour, the Gardiner Expressway. The uneven surface also reflects taillights in a beautiful way at night.

Flying Angel Mission

Location: Cherry St. & Unwin Ave., in the Port Lands

Date photo taken: 23 June 2019

Last year while walking in the Port Lands I noticed this sign, half hidden and looking more than a little weather-beaten. I thought it was intriguing enough to snap a picture but then promptly forgot about it. Recently however I listened to a podcast about the fate of the men and women working aboard the world's shipping vessels during COVID-19 and it has inspired me to post this. During COVID-19 these workers have been deemed essential personnel as they ensure that the global flow of goods continues. During the pandemic however most ports ban sailors from leaving their ships. It is estimated that each month 100,000 mariners reach the end of their contracts. Under normal circumstances they would leave their ships and fly home but this hasn't been possible during COVID. Many have seen their contracts extended with no opportunity to see family or friends. This is where The Flying Angel Mission comes in. The Flying Angels is a worldwide organization that supports seafarers. While a society of the Anglican church, they support "seafarers of all faiths - and none". The Southern Ontario chapter describes themselves as "The Ministry of Small Gestures: keeping the Wifi running, the coffee hot". In normal times they provide access to chaplains but also to basic services such as transportation to local shopping facilities, as ports are often far removed from the commercial centre and aren't usually well-serviced by public transportation. During COVID they are fundraising to enable them to provide a greater range of support, from increased advocacy to portable Mifi units to allow shipboard personnel to connect with family and friends.

Keep Ur Distance

Location: Lower Don River Trail, south of Corktown Common

Date photo taken: 15 July 2020

I love this Banksy-esque bit of street art for so many reasons. Mostly because I love raccoons, or at least the idea of them. I'm not sure if I had a backyard I'd want them in there, but I love seeing them depicted around the city. I love that the artist chose to render this one pretty much life-sized and low to the ground, easy to overlook if you're not paying attention. And finally I love the duality in this image. Is this a friendly safety message from one of Toronto's unofficial ambassadors? Or is it a warning, backed up by the threat of physical violence? I wonder whether having a backyard influences your reaction?

This raccoon is not alone - there are several more of them out there. Where have you seen them?