From the Board of Directors, November 16, 2025
With time running out on the Podium Deck project, the Board has made a decision regarding the Tot Lot fence.
We received a large number of email submissions on this, split pretty evenly into the two obvious camps: a) those who were acutely aware of the security issues and wanted a total solution, and b) those who were much less concerned about security than accessibility and aesthetics.
The Board itself had no strong preference either way, and realized that there was no one solution that would satisfy everyone completely. So we’ve chosen a middle path that gives us flexibility to evolve over time.
For a start, we’re going with a 42-inch fence. It was felt that together with the 24- to 30-inch rise of the Tot Lot itself above ground level, this would provide a reasonable barrier to casual intrusions.
For now, no gate will be installed. The main reason for this is that any gate must be fully accessible, and therefore would need automatic actuation by fob, similar to the Lobby door. This would involve quite a bit of extra construction, and significant extra expense. So it makes sense to delay this measure for now. We can add a gate later if we can’t improve the security situation in other ways.
And there are quite a few other ways we can try.
Our 2024 Toronto Police CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) audit emphasized that the best way of discouraging intrusions is to make an area seem private and ‘lived in,’ through various simple changes to the environment. One option currently being investigated is lighting the Tot Lot in a way that will make it unattractive for illicit late-night activities.
Improvement ideas coming out of the Tot Lot committee will also be a big help. There are many ways we can make the Tot Lot a more useful gathering place, and the Police audit points out that frequent use by local residents is very effective in discouraging outsiders.
Finally, the Police audit recommends posting signs clearly establishing an area as private property. We have signs already, and these will be placed once Podium Deck construction is complete. We will continue to monitor security, and look at other safeguards as needed.
We thank all the members who submitted their thoughts on this project, and look forward to working with the Tot Lot committee to continue upgrading this important part of the co-op.
From the Board of Directors, December 7, 2025
Tot Lot Completion
Good news: we’re expecting the Podium Deck project to be completed within the next week.
The main tasks remaining are pouring concrete in the Tot Lot, and installing the 42-inch-high fence. A railing will also be installed in the middle of the Breezeway front steps, as required by code.
At the same time, work is being completed on the Albert Franck gardens. The big drains are now unblocked. This week the contractors will dig out the soil around the drains, and add concrete splash blocks to disperse water away from the wall and ensure that it’s distributed effectively. The contractors will also dig out the tree stumps in the AF garden and the triangular bed in the walkway. A soil removal company will come this week to remove at least 1 foot of soil from the AF beds and also from the triangular bed.
The two garbage receptacles in the Breezeway will also be replaced, as they’re in pretty bad shape. New ones are being ordered. The two big flower containers at the bottom of the breezeway stairs will remain.
Members in midrise units with backyard patios should have received a flyer last week, outlining the precautions needed to avoid damaging the new membrane. These include using planters and being careful not to cover up the drains, and, of course, not poking anything down into the patio surface. (If you haven’t got your flyer, contact the Office.)
A big thank you to Jill MacDonald who has had the foresight to help us think through the landscaping issues while this project was being carried out. What it means is that in the spring the gardens will be ready to go!! And thanks to all our members for your patience as we embarked on this monumental project.
