Commemoration of Visit by Patriarch Bartholomew

of the Orthodox Church to Toronto in May 1998

The East York Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (May 4, 1998) from the Acting Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Operations, East York:

 Purpose:

 To obtain approval from the East York Community Council to dedicate a reserve in E.T. Seton Park with a commemorative stone and plaque to honour the May 1998 visit to Toronto of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

 At the time this report was prepared, no detailed cost data was available for the stone or plaque, however, based on past initiatives, it is anticipated to cost less than $1,000.00. The costs will be dependent on the inscription approved for the plaque. Funds are available within the Parks and Recreation Department=s budget.

 Recommendations:

 It is recommended that:

 (1)the East York Community Council commemorate the May 1998 visit of Patriarch Bartholomew to Toronto through dedication of a natural garden and a decorative stone with an anchored plaque in the area to the east and north of William Morgan Drive in E.T. Seton Park; and

 (2)the plaque be inscribed with the following:

 AThe natural garden area behind the nearby stream is dedicated to the Toronto visit of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. His lead among all religious leaders in protecting the natural environment throughout the world serves as an inspiration to us all.@

 Council Reference/Background/History:

 His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I is the spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide. Since his ascending the Ecumenical Throne on November 2, 1991, he has taken the lead among all religious leaders in promoting protection of the environment. He has initiated seminars and dialogues to discuss the need for the mobilization of moral and spiritual forces to achieve harmony between humanity and nature.

 Patriarch Bartholomew will be visiting the Toronto area in late May, 1998. The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto has approached staff to commemorate the Patriarch's visit by dedicating a natural garden area near their new church property at the east end of William Morgan Drive. In appreciation for the dedication, the church agency will promote and support projects designed to protect and enhance this natural area.

 Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

 The area intended for the dedication contains a steep slope and natural forest located on the west side of a stream. The forest cover includes a rare stand of shagbark hickory which is particularly worthy of preservation because this tree species is a component of the Carolinian Forest, which reaches its most northerly limit in Toronto. The proposed dedication area is north of the Overlea bridge, extending from the east end of William Morgan Drive around the back of Central Park Lodge (see appendix for map).

 The dedication will be commemorated with an inscribed metal plaque mounted on a large, decorative stone (see example photo in appendix). The stone will be positioned between two existing trees and the pathway within easy view of path users (site photo in appendix). The nearest access route to the site for vehicles and people is off Thorncliffe Park Drive, south of Overlea Blvd. Parking is available just south of the Overlea bridge and the pathway leads north from the parking area.

 The following inscription is proposed for the plaque:

 "The natural garden area behind the nearby stream is dedicated to the Toronto visit of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. His lead among all religious leaders in protecting the natural environment throughout the world serves as an inspiration to us all."

 Conclusions:

 The proposed parkland dedication in E.T. Seton Park to commemorate the Patriarch Bartholomew's visit would be regarded favourably by the Orthodox Christian community in Toronto and would attract support of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto for environmental protection and enhancement projects in the area.

 Contact Name:

 Don Boyle

Acting Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Operations

Phone: (416) 778-2180 Fax: (416) 466-4170

E-mail: dboyle@borough.eastyork.on.ca