Willowdale has responded to the horrific attack of April 23 with an outpouring of grief, sympathy, kindness and generosity. This is reflected in the memorial sites which residents have created at Olive Square Parkand Mel Lastman Square.

This weekend, 40 days after the attack, we mark another step on the road to recovery. A special ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 3, beginning at 2 PM at Olive Square (near the southeast corner of Yonge and Finch) and then moving to Mel Lastman Square. We will remember the victims once again and respectfully gather the …

Join Councillor John Filion, the We Love Willowdale coalition and your friends and neighbours from the local community for a very special picnic event in Mel Lastman Square.

Monday, May 21 – 11-2 PM

This picnic will bring to a close the 26 Days of Music on Yonge, one day of music for every person injured or killed on April 23rd.

Though we continue to mourn those that were lost, let us also celebrate the thousands of acts of kindness and love in the wake of this tragedy, and remember …

In the aftermath of last week’s attack, the City of Toronto’s Community Crisis Response Program and Toronto Police Services invites residents and business owners or staff to an interactive dialogue about community safety in Willowdale.  Topics will include how to support your neighbours and available community resources during a time of crisis.

Please join us Sunday, May 6, from 6 – 8 PM at Willowdale Baptist Church (15 Olive Ave).  Refreshments and child care will be provided.  For more information, contact Rose-Ann Bailey by e-mail or 647-217-4368.  You can also pre-register here.

A very large word of thanks to the City of Toronto staff, countless members of the Toronto Police Service, members of Faith in the City and the Toronto Area Interfaith Council for their tireless work in pulling together last Sunday’s #TorontoStrong Vigil in Mel Lastman Square. It was an opportunity for members of the Willowdale community, and for residents from literally across the GTA and beyond to gather in support and solidarity with the victims of the attack. We hope that it brought a small amount of comfort and healing to those who …

UPDATE (April 24, 2018):

I have been both touched and astounded by the outpouring of offers from residents to offer their time or services to assist others during our current time of need in the Willowdale area. Thanks to all who have sent in thoughtful messages of support.

As we move forward, our priority has been to allow first responders and the Toronto Police to continue doing their important work on Yonge. About half of their work area has now been re-opened to the public and I …

The outdoor skating rink at Mel Lastman Square opens this week. Residents looking for a fun, free, family activity can lace up their skates from 10 AM to 9:30 PM on weekdays or from 10 AM to 6 PM on weekends – access to the Civic Centre and washrooms will not be available outside of those hours. The rink in the Square will remain open until March, weather permitting.

As the weather cools, plans for neighbourhood natural rinks are also underway. These rinks usually require a …