Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy 2020

The Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy (TSNS) 2020 is the City of Toronto’s action plan for ensuring that each of our 140 neighbourhoods can succeed and thrive. TSNS 2020 supports healthy communities across Toronto by partnering with residents, community agencies and businesses to invest in people, services, programs and facilities in 31 identified Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs). The strategy will strengthen the social, economic and physical conditions and deliver local impact for city-wide change.

TSNS 2020 Mission

To achieve equitable opportunities across all Toronto neighbourhoods by:

Activating people
Activating resources
Activating neighbourhood friendly policies

TSNS 2020 Vision

No matter what neighbourhood Torontonians call home, there are equitable opportunities for well-being.

Download the TSNS 2020 & Action Catalogue

TSNS 2020 Action Plans

The following action plans outline the structure of TSNS 2020, and highlight the work that is happening in the 31 Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs), as well as the actions developed by residents, community agencies and City Divisions at 15 Neighbourhood Planning Tables:

Download the Local Neighbourhood Action Plans

Defining a Neighbourhood

The City has 140 social planning neighbourhoods. Each neighbourhood has at least 7,000 residents and respects important boundaries such as major roads and rivers. Find more information about these neighbourhoods.
Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool (HEART) Domains

When NIAs were being identified for TSNS 2020, the City considered five different domains of neighbourhood well-being. These indicators were developed by the Urban HEART@Toronto team. Find more information about Urban HEART@Toronto. The five domains are:

Economic Opportunities: The Economic Opportunities theme is about the economic status that neighbourhood residents can achieve; it includes income levels and quality job opportunities.
Social Development: The Social Development theme is about the opportunities and connections that help residents reach their full potential; it includes education, literacy, and access to social, recreation, and cultural services.
Participation in Decision Making: The Participation in Decision Making theme is about the opportunities for neighbourhood residents to get involved in making local and city-wide decisions; it includes voting in elections and working with neighbours to make plans and priorities.
Healthy Lives: The Healthy Lives theme is about the physical and mental health of neighbourhood residents; it includes medical care, disabilities and illnesses that residents live with, and the number of years that residents live in good health.
Physical Surroundings: The Physical Environment theme is about the natural and built environment in the neighbourhood, community, or workplace; it includes access to transportation, parks and green spaces, public meeting spaces, and air quality.

The City also offers an interactive map of these neighbourhoods through Wellbeing Toronto. Wellbeing Toronto includes data on populations, safety, housing, education, and many other areas.

TSNS 2020: Then & Now

In 2005, City Council identified 13 Priority Neighbourhoods as part of the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy. In 2011, residents, businesses and agencies from across Toronto helped review the Strategy and suggested ways to improve it. Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy (TSNS) 2020 includes their suggestions and reflects how neighbourhoods are doing now, with an updated list of Neighbourhood Improvement Areas.

In 2019, staff will partner with residents, agencies and businesses to begin the TSNS 2020 evaluation process. Neighbourhood Action Plan updates will be available in March 2019.

TSNS 2020 Staff Report & Resources

The City is working with residents, community agencies and businesses in 31 Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIA) to make changes that strengthen the neighbourhood. There are 15 Neighbourhood Planning Tables representing the 31 NIAs. Neighbourhood Action Plans are developed for each Neighbourhood Planning Table to track the investments in the Neighbourhood.

Each NIA is assigned a Community Development Officer (CDO) who will:

Work collaboratively with residents, service providers and other City Staff to make sure City services and facilities address neighbourhood priorities
Support partnerships with residents and community agencies to deliver services
Work with funders and businesses to bring new investments in services and facilities to the neighbourhood

Learn more about each Neighbourhood Planning Table.

For more information, contact the Community Development Officer in your Neighbourhood.

As a part of Toronto Strong Neighbourhood Strategy (TSNS) 2020, the Resident Advisory Committee is made up of one resident volunteer and one resident alternate from each of the City’s 31 Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs) and 8 Emerging Neighbourhoods (ENs). The Committee’s work is guided by the TSNS 2020 vision and mission, with a primary focus on activating people, resources, and neighbourhood friendly policies.

Learn more about the TSNS 2020 Resident Advisory Committee.

The Neighbourhood Grants program offers grants of $1,000-$3,000 to resident-led groups to help them animate their neighbourhoods with events or activities. A maximum of $5,000 will be available for each of the 39 identified neighbourhoods (31 Neighbourhood Improvement Areas and 8 Emerging Neighbourhoods).

Learn How to Develop Your Neighbourhood Grant Application at a Workshop

Social Planning Toronto (SPT) is offering four workshops for resident-led groups on how to develop an application to the Neighbourhood Grant Program.

Activities and handouts will be provided, as well as tips for creating a clear application and sound budget.

Please arrive at least 15 – 30 minutes before the session begins so you can register and have a meal.
Two TTC tokens and childcare will be provided for children ages three and up.
When you register, please let us know how many children you are bringing and their ages.

If you have any issues registering, please call Social Planning Toronto and speak with Mary Micallef at 416-351-0095 ext.251.

Registration Information

Please note that you must be living in a Neighbourhood Improvement Area (NIA) or Emerging Neighbourhood to attend one of the grant writing workshops. Review the list of Neighbourhood Improvement Areas or Find your neighbourhood!

Location

Date/Time

Registration Link

CASA Maiz

1280 Finch Avenue West

Unit #204

September 17, 2019

6:30 p.m – 9:00 p.m

Workshop Registration

Metro Hall

55 John Street

Room 308

September 24, 2019

6:30 p.m – 9:00 p.m

Workshop Registration

North York Civic Centre

5100 Yonge Street

Members Lounge

October 2, 2019

2:30 p.m – 5:00 p.m

Workshop Registration

Toronto City Hall

100 Queen Street West

Committee Room 4

October 8, 2019

6:30 p.m – 9:00 p.m

Workshop Registration

Scarborough Civic Centre

140 Borough Drive

Committee Room 1

October 15, 2019

6:30 p.m – 9:00 p.m

Workshop Registration

Toronto Strong Neighbourhood Strategy (TSNS) 2020 Community Development Officers work with their Neighbourhood Planning Tables to support resident-led groups through the application process. Contact your TSNS 2020 Community Development Officer for more information.

The Local Champions program helps to build the capacity of resident leaders to create local impact for city-wide change.

The Local Champions Program offers:

Bridging opportunities into college programs
Designation and City wide recognition as a “Local Champion”
Membership in a wide network of change makers
City of Toronto Certificate of Participation

You are eligible to become a Local Champion if you:

Attended a leadership course in the past
Have at least a year of community building experience
Wish to understand and influence municipal decision-making
Want to be part of a strong neighbourhood movement
Live in one of Toronto’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas or Emerging Neighbourhoods

The Partnership Opportunities Legacy Fund (POL) provided investments starting at $50,000 to support community building projects that improved city owned or leased spaces within Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs). POL funds support small capital projects, such as new or updated sports pads, parks, activity rooms and/or gardens. The application process was led by resident groups from NIAs and supported by Neighbourhood Planning Tables, as well as City Agencies and Divisions.

The impact of POL projects has been felt through communities in the following ways:

Residents were supported to participate in the improvement of their neighbourhood’s physical surroundings
Project applications were collaboratively developed by local residents, City Agencies or divisions, service providers and City Councillors
Projects added to the quality of life of residents
The improvements to community spaces are long lasting

POL Funded Projects, 2015-Present
Year	Project Name (Address & NIA)	Operating Agency/Division	Project Description & $ Invested	Status
2015	Mornelle Court Hub 90 Mornelle Court Mornelle Court (Morningside)	Toronto Community Housing	Renovations to space at 90 Mornelle Court to develop a community hub and computer lab $380,000	Completed
2016	1021 Birchmount Hub 1021 Birchmount Road Birchmount Eglinton East (Ionview)	Toronto Community Housing	Develop a youth space at 1021 Birchmount Basketball Court Revitalization: replace basketball court that was previously removed $450,000	Completed
2016	Gilder Drive Recreational Rejuvenation 31 Gilder Drive Eglinton East	Toronto Community Housing	Repair community garden Complete playground equipment upgrades New basketball court $450,000	Completed
2016	2585 Jane Street Basketball Refurbishment 2585 Jane Street Downsview-Roding-CFB	Toronto Community Housing	Refurbish the recreation area with a half basketball court, field and a seating area with benches/picnic tables $50,000	Completed
2016	Allied Neighbourhoods Community Kitchen 2467 Eglinton Avenue East Kennedy Park	Parks, Forestry and Recreation	Update kitchen at Don Montgomery Community Recreation Centre into an accessible, industrial kitchen $365,000	Completed
2016	Youth Friendly Space 23 Grandravine Drive York University Heights	Parks, Forestry and Recreation	Develop youth space at Grandravine Community Centre with 10 computers with applicable software, couches, TVs, video game consoles, audio system, and projectors $80,000	Completed
2016	Elm Park Splash Pad Elm Park/Gosford Avenue Black Creek	Parks, Forestry and Recreation	Build a new splash pad in Elm Park $50,000	Completed
2016	Driftwood Outdoor Basketball Pad Revitalization 4401 Jane Street Black Creek	Parks, Forestry and Recreation	Revitalize the outdoor basketball pad located at the Driftwood Community Centre $150,000	Completed
2016	Community Revitalization Ionview Park 90 Ionview Road Birchmount Eglinton East (Ionview)	Parks, Forestry and Recreation	Build a new playground for Ionview Park $221,862	Completed
2016	Spenvalley Park Splash Pad 130 Spenvalley Park Glenfield Jane-Heights	Parks, Forestry and Recreation	Build a splash pad in Spenvalley Park $450,000	Completed
2016	Dawes Road Hub 416 Dawes Road Taylor Massey	Toronto Public Library	Design and development of hub space on the second floor of the Dawes Road Library $1,200,000	Planned
2017	Kingston Galloway Partnership Opportunities 4301 Kingston Road Kingston Road Orton Park (West Hill)	Toronto Community Housing	Update indoor and outdoor recreation spaces $400,000 (anticipated for 2019)	In Progress
2017	Lawrence Galloway Community Project 4100/4110 Lawrence Avenue East Kingston Road Orton Park (West Hill)	Toronto Community Housing	Update outdoor spaces with play areas $250,000 (anticipated for 2019)	In Progress
2017	Lawrence Orton Splash Pad and Outdoor Area Revitalization 3945 Lawrence Avenue East Woburn	Toronto Community Housing	Update outdoor spaces with play areas $184,000 (anticipated for 2019)	In Progress
2017	Rec Room Rejuvenation/ Markham and Eglinton 3171 and 3181 Eglinton Avenue East Scarborough Village	Toronto Community Housing	Renovate community rooms at 3171 and 3181 Eglinton Avenue East $170,000	Completed
2017	415 Resident Space Accessibility Redesign 415 Driftwood Avenue 1st Floor, South Space Black Creek	Toronto Community Housing	Renovate the resident space on the main floor of 415 Driftwood Avenue including: Kitchen installation, upgrade washrooms, flooring and entrance $126,000	Completed
2017	Gordonridge Community Grow 10, 20, 30, and 40, Gordonridge Place Kennedy Park	Toronto Community Housing	Kitchen retro-fit in community room $105,110	Completed
2017	The Roding Park Refresh Project 600 Roding park Downsview-Roding-CFB	Parks, Forestry and Recreation	Build stage, new playground, adult exercise area and butterfly and pollinator gardens $600,000	Completed
2017	Revitalization of Friends of Angela James Arena Project 165 Grenoble Drive Flemingdon Park	Parks, Forestry and Recreation	Build heated viewing area with rubber flooring extending around the Angela James Arena apron $520,000	Completed
2017	Gaffney Park Improvements 73 Terry Drive Rockcliffe Smythe	Parks, Forestry and Recreation	Installation of Senior Playground, Junior Playground, Armour Stone Seating Wall, Chess Tables, Exercise Equipment, LED Pole Lighting, Heritage Plaque and New Benches $438,000	Completed
2017	1652 Keele Alliance Welcoming Initiative 1652 Keele Street Keelesdale Eglinton	Facilities	Upgrade of first floor including: Lobby area, upgrades to hallways and floors and new multipurpose room with audio and video equipment $884,791	In Progress
2018	Islington St. Andrews Common Area Revitalization 2063, 2067 Islington Avenue Kingsview Village	Toronto Community Housing	Upgrade to community kitchen and common room $200,000	In Progress
2018	Agnes Macphail Community Kitchens Upgrade Project 444 Lumsden Avenue Taylor Massey	Toronto Community Housing	Upgrade of two community kitchens $100,000	In Progress
2018	Bring on the Shade at Oakdale Park 350 Grandravine Drive Glenfield Jane-Heights	Parks, Forestry and Recreation	Build a shade structure with picnic tables, lighting, and an extended concrete pad $240,000	In Progress
2018	Fairhaven Renewal 100 Golfwood Heights Kingsview Village the Westway	Parks, Forestry and Recreation	Upgrades to park area including new seating options, lighting along pathways and play/social gathering area, the replacement of dilapidated spray features for the wading area $240,000	In Progress
2018	Fountainhead Park Enhancements 445 Sentinel Road York University Heights	Parks, Forestry and Recreation	Park enhancements including additional gathering space area with shade shelters, games tables, picnic tables, water bottle filling station, Tree planting, walkways, benches and play areas $290,000	In Progress
2018	Henrietta Park Activation Project 1A Henrietta Street Rockcliffe Smythe	Parks, Forestry and Recreation	Build new playground, new lighting standards, Soccer pitch, butterfly garden, new trees planted to the east of the playground, and two new benches, with Stone amphitheatre with seating (community movies) $360,000	In Progress
2018	Thorncliffe Park Hub 45 Overlea Boulevard Thorncliffe Park	Social Development Finance Administration & The Neighbourhood Office	Hub space development at the East York Mall $1,000,000	Planned