Profile and activity for sherwin lau | Toronto Centre Projects

sherwin lau3 years ago Create a clean safe well lit paved pathway connecting Power Street to Sackville Street/St. Paul Street. Currently there is a well travelled unsafe dirt pathway that travels along the St. Paul School fence witch is being maintained mostly by St. Paul St residence cleaning up needles and garbage as it is currently a haven for drug use and prostitution because of currently being dark and secluded.Many years ago a plan was submitted to the city to put a walking/biking path through there and along the "greenspace" between St Paul and Sackville to connect up the pathway that takes you through to the laneway behind Bright St and onto Bright St. Recently the city finally took a look at the designed plans and came back with the plan would disrupt too much of the tree canopy.The residents of Corktown would greatly benefit from even a revised version of this to at least get the most dangerous portion improved however the city see's fit to make it safer and well lit so that residents feel they can use it even at night safely.This would improve both the functionality, safety, look and feel of historic neighbourhood.

sherwin lau3 years ago Ubers making 3-point turns on Wood Street to avoid going through Mutual Street (one way) - potentially hitting pedestrians and more importantly childrenI realize that any traffic rule violations taking place on the road should be reported to Toronto Police: 416-808-2222. However, when I reported my concern they said that they had to catch them while the infraction was taking place, saying that there has been no patrol of Wood Street to catch such infractions. I believe it would be beneficial to install a no U-turn sign on Wood Street) for improving the safety at this location

sherwin lau2 years ago

sherwin lau11 months ago Corktown is one of Toronto’s oldest and most unique neighbourhoods, and remains one of the best areas in the city to see examples of Victorian-row housing and worker cottages.Corktown was originally settled by working class immigrants in the early 1800s. These families were very poor and could not afford the lofty pew rents at nearby St. James Cathedral. This led to the building of their own "Little Trinity Church" in 1843. Little Trinity Church is still standing today at 417 King Street East, and remains one of the city’s oldest churches. Immediately adjacent, is the Trinity ‘Enoch Turner’ Schoolhouse, built in 1848 as Toronto's first 'free school’.However, while Corktown is demonstrably rich in heritage architecture, it is poorly lit, leading to diminished safety for residents even at major junctions within neighbourhood boundaries. This proposal is consequently to install improved lighting at least among King and Queen Street Easts within Corktown's neighbourhood boundaries. An assault earlier this year at King Street East and Sumach Streets worryingly provides a case in point. As reported by various media outlets--and as concernedly discussed among Corktown residents--a woman was unfortunately assaulted in March 2025 while exiting a TTC streetcar at this intersection. The assault is currently under investigation by City of Toronto police. At the same time, approved Toronto City Council long-term temporary road and sidewalk B closures are anticipated to result in disruption on King Street East, Front Street East, Berkeley Street and Parliament Street in particular, from now through at least November 30, 2029.All that said, improved public lighting can provide multiple benefits, primarily enhancing public safety and security as above, but also potentially boosting neighbourhood beautification for improved economic growth and visitorship. What's more, newly installed lighting can build on Corktown's growing reputation as one of Toronto's most progressive and sustainability-focused neighbourhoods, should that lighting be LED and/or solar. Lastly, according to the results of a small neighbourhood business survey undertaken in October 2024, 21.4% of respondents indicated that they would like to see improved neighbourhood lighting in Corktown.Originally submitted by Veronica Lasanowski

sherwin lau1 year ago This corner of Power St and King St has such great potential. As condos have gone up on Power st, it would be great if the street could be narrowed and made more friendly to pedestrians. I know traffic lights are going up at Adelaide and Richmond, but I'm hoping more will be done. This corner currently has a wide turn radius (for cars heading west on King St to get onto Power St), and so they aren't encouraged to slow down when making that turn. The northeast corner of this intersection has a restaurant with a patio, and the whole small block there is such a lovely part of the neighbourhood, with the church property across the street. It seems like a such a great opportunity here to make the sidewalk come out further onto Power st, so that cars need to slow down when making that turn. it would also give more room for the neighbourhood to enjoy walking here and possibly extending the restaurant's patio.

sherwin lau3 years ago

sherwin lau2 years ago PB2024 - Lord Dufferin Jr. &Sr. P.S. Multipurpose Sports CentreThis idea proposes to reimagine the athletic field of Lord Dufferin Jr. Sr. P.S to include a new Basketball Court Professional Grade 50 x 42, Baseball Field Chain Fence Commercial Grade, Baseball Clay Field, Digital Sports Board, Bleachers, Soccer Field/Multipurpose sports fields, Soccer Field Goal, Art/Mural Installation, Led Stadium Lighting, Planters, Fence Replacement, Commercial Turf Grass, and Indigenous Food and Medicine Garden. The partial funding amount contributed to this project will cost $500,000 with conditions for Lord Dufferin Jr. Sr. P.S to enter into a Community Access Agreement for public use outside of school hours.The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) will be responsible for undertaking the construction, including materials and labour. Complications may apply.Internal ID: PB2024-PFR-526*Note: Ideas that proceed to the voting stage are edited by my office to ensure they are clear, concise, and complete with images. For accountability and transparency purposes, the original description, as input by the resident, can be found below.Original Description:EXECUTIVE SUMMARYUrban multipurpose sports field will provide our students at Lord Dufferin Junior and Senior Public School with the opportunity to practice and develop social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills. Providing enough optional sports for students to be engaged is accessible, equitable and inclusive thus a cornerstone of sustainable school community planning. Why it matters: Safe, green, healthy, and student-friendly urban environments are key to the physical and mental health of our younger demographic groups. The problem: Urban environments that do not cater equally to the needs of all demographic groups are unsafe and unattractive for youth and children. This proposed solution to re-develop, take a transformative approach in urban governance and spatial planning at Lord Dufferin Junior and Senior Public School outdoor multipurpose sports field build’s a space that reflects the needs of the students and community. Our students and other community stakeholders will be involved in the participatory urban planning for a re-developed outdoor multipurpose sports field. We believe that student voice provides numerous social and environmental benefits in the participatory urban planning, since their views and opinions contribute to building amazing school culture and communities.DEMOGRAPHICSRevitalization of Lord Dufferin Junior and Senior Public School Outdoor Multi-Purpose Facility- We are interested in working with your office to identify funding partners and possible artists to revitalize our outdoor space with a new basketball court, soccer field and baseball field. The school serves over 539 students, representing over 30 language groups. Sixty eight percent of the population has English as their second language (ESL). Most of these students are of Bengali, Tamil, Somali, Asian and South Asian descent. Lord Dufferin is a composite school with primary, junior and senior divisions. Our school prioritizes the following demographics to support student success. Our school’s foundation is based on our diversity, equity and inclusiveness.○ Youth who face socio-economic barriers○ Black youth○ First Nations, Inuit and Metis youth○ Newcomers/Refugee youth○ Girl-identified youth (in the case of gender-specific programming)○ 2SLGBTQ+ Identified youth○ Youth who identify as having a disability- intellectual or physicalVISIONOur school work’s to unify students at Lord Dufferin Junior and Senior Public School by supporting safe, equitable, inclusive sport programming. Our school culture is designed to remove access barriers and create healthy opportunities for our school community.MISSIONThe mission is our school community in partnership with the corporate and other community leaders we wish to renovate Lord Dufferin’s outdoor space and refresh our basketball courts, soccer, baseball field and install large scale works of site-specific art on the surface celebrating the diversity of our school. MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SOCIAL HEALTH BENEFITS IN SPORTSThe benefits of sport support’s children’s mental health, physical, social health and wellness. Organized, well-structured youth sports and on-going physical activities at Lord Dufferin can provide many benefits for children and youth. Positive experiences that sport and an active lifestyle bring play an important role in a young person’s life. Many athletes do better academicallyPlaying a sport requires a lot of time and energy. Some people may think this would distract student-athletes from schoolwork. However, the opposite is true. Sports require memorization, repetition and learning — skillsets that are directly relevant to class work. Also, the determination and goal-setting skills a sport requires can be transferred to the classroom.Sports teach teamwork and problem-solving skillsFighting for a common goal with a group of players and coaches teaches you how to build teamwork and effectively communicate to solve problems. This experience is helpful when encountering problems at school or at home.Physical health benefits of sportsSports can help you reach your fitness goals and maintain a healthy weight. However, they also encourage healthy decision-making such as eating well.Sports boost self-esteemWatching your hard work pay off and achieving your goals develops self-confidence. Achieving a sport or fitness goal encourages you to achieve other goals you set. This is a rewarding and exciting learning process.Reduce pressure and stress with sportsExercising is a natural way to loosen up and let go of stress. You can also make new friends who can be there for you as a support system. When you feel under pressure or stressed, call up a teammate, head to the gym to talk and play it out.BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHERLord Dufferin’s ambitious plan to build a new multi-purpose outdoor field will meet the current, future and increasingly diverse needs of our students, residents and community stakeholders for decades to come. The following amenities, all of which are deliberately planned and designed to support a greater diversity of sports and physical activities in the community.BEAUTIFICATIONBuilding a new multi-purpose outdoor field is part of the beautification process of making visual improvements to our school but also within the community.INDIGENOUS FOOD AND MEDCINE GARDEN VISIONThe Indigenous Food and Medicine Garden is an outdoor space that fosters a welcoming and inclusive community on-campus and promotes Indigenous presence, Indigenous Knowledge exchanges, and community involvement while engaging peoples in growing Indigenous organic and sustainable foods and plants for future generations.INDIGENOUS FOOD AND MEDCINE GARDEN VISION GOALSThe Indigenous Food and Medicine Garden aims to:Promote agricultural practices and teachings of Indigenous peoples of the local region.Provide experiential educational opportunities for community members, students and staff with respect to Indigenous worldview and customary planting, growing and harvesting techniques.Offer a welcoming green space on campus that engages communities in hands on learning of Indigenous Knowledge.Course development around customary Indigenous planting techniques.Give students, staff and community members the opportunity to grow their own food and medicines.Grow Medicinal plants for community members to useGrow vegetables such as corn, beans and squash to be used for an annual feasts and gatherings.Share Indigenous Knowledge and develop academic partnerships on and off-campus.MULTIPURPOSE SPORTS FIELDBasketball Court Professional Grade 50 x 42Baseball Field Chain Fence Commercial GradeBaseball Clay FieldDigital Sports BoardBleachersSoccer Field/Multipurpose sports fieldsSoccer Field GoalArt/Mural InstallationLed Stadium LightingPlantersFence ReplacementCommercial Turf GrassIndigenous Food and Medicine GardenConclusionWhen you think back to your favourite childhood play experiences, chances are they took place outdoors, unsupervised and while hanging out with friends. But today’s kids spend far less time playing than their parents did. We don't necessarily need to travel far to enjoy outdoor space. Our students at Lord Dufferin Junior and Senior Public School can connect with our multipurpose outdoor school playground. This modern facility will provide an inviting, engaging and safe space for all our students, families and community to enjoy.(This Idea was submitted by parents and students of Lord Dufferin Jr. & Sr. P.S. and migrated from Proposals)

sherwin lau3 years ago This idea proposes to beautify the old parking laybys along Bayview Avenue which are no longer in use due to the installation of the bi-directional cycle tracks.Transportation Services staff have reviewed this idea and estimate it will cost approximately $250,000 to install planters along this corridor including materials and labour.Internal ID: PB2023-TS-398*Note: Ideas that proceed to the voting stage are edited by my office to ensure they are clear, concise, and is complete with images. For accountability and transparency purposes, the original description, as input by the resident, can be found below.Original Description:

sherwin lau3 years ago This idea proposes to install a Pickle Ball Court (44ftx20ft) in a future park within St Lawrence Neighbourhood. Parks Forestry and Recreation staff has reviewed this proposal and gave permission for the installation of a future Pickle Ball Court in St Lawrence Neighbourhood should this idea be successfully funded. I will allocate $350,000 towards future developments of a pickleball court in St Lawrence Neighbourhood. Internal ID: TS-33d Pickle Ball Court in St Lawrence Neighbourhood*Note: Ideas that proceed to the voting stage are edited by my office to ensure they are clear, concise, and is complete with images. For accountability and transparency purposes, the original description, as input by the resident, can be found below.Original Description:Goal:Enhance, improve neighbourhood services available in public realmLocations: Evaluate how and where the following might be added to the neighbourhood:• public washroom(s) + public shower(s) or other amenities for those experiencing homelessness • more and better designed garbage receptacles to address chronic overflow- consider decorating as public art? • additional dog park(s)• pickle ball court(s)Approach:• consult with appropriate city staff to explore the feasibility/cost of each item• rank with input from SLNA for community prioritization Budget: to be determinedNote: This is one idea which can be scoped in a range of cost brackets, with associated investments ranging from large to very significant. It is hoped that there will be ongoing dialogue with the Councillor’s office to qualify and shape this idea further as design and cost input is received from staff experts at the City, and prior to it being submitted for voting.

sherwin lau3 years ago

sherwin lau

All input submitted by this participant

Create a proper paved pathway connecting Power St to Sackville St and St

Install no U-turn sign on Wood street

Loading Permitted, No Standing at the SW Corner

Improve neighbourhood lighting in Corktown

Power Street Pedestrian Improvements at King Street

Farquhars Lane

Central Hospital Lane

Lord Dufferin Jr. &Sr. P.S. Multipurpose Sports Centre

Installation of Planters Along Bayview Avenue Cycle Tracks

TS-33d Pickle Ball Court in St Lawrence Neighbourhood

230 Adelaide Street East

Shuter Street and Victoria Street

285 Victoria Street

45 Winchester St

Homewood Ave at Wellesley St E

155 Maitland St

153 Gerrard St E

245 George St

Sumach St at Geneva