Fall Update 2021

Hi All,

I hope this note finds you and yours well.

A number of you have reached out to me over the past year, looking for local shopping opportunities. I'm happy to report we have some coming up this weekend, just in time for the holidays! Please see attached flyers for the Willowdale Fine Art & Holiday Market (Dec 4 & 5). As well as the Willowdale Walking Parade & Market (Dec 4th) OR you can check out the "Events" calendar on our website.

Please see below for community related information and updates...

A message from the We Love Willowdale Group...

Give or receive some joy this Christmas

As the holidays approach, many families find it hard to celebrate due to challenging circumstances. NeighbourLink North York has already registered over 100 families, several of whom are single moms who have fled abuse, along with families impacted by Covid and isolated seniors in need of encouragement. Please consider signing up to sponsor a Christmas Hamper that will bring some joy and support to a family in our community. A large majority of our recipients live in Willowdale, while the rest live across North York. For further details, please visit:

https://www.neighbourlink.org/christmashampers2021. There is also a form to sign up to receive a hamper if this is a season where you need some encouragement.


The 2nd Annual We Love Willowdale Christmas Walking Parade & Market

Join Karaoke Santa and spread some joy in the heart of Willowdale as we walk through the heart of Willowdale together. You can also shop our special Willowdale Christmas Market with some unique vendors - including Wayne, our homeless neighbour who makes beautiful keychains and lanyards, as well as The 98 - a line of clothing designed by youth from our community.

DATE: Saturday, December 4

TIME: Market - 4-6pm, Parade - 6-7pm, Live music throughout the evening.Join us with reindeer antlers, an ugly Christmas sweater, or simply your Christmas spirit!

Click Here to be a vendor.

Click Here to join our Parade.


Volunteers Needed

This holiday season, NeighbourLink North York is running two Food Bank dates, a Christmas Hamper program along with a Christmas Parade and Market. We need volunteers to help us spread joy and hope in our community. Please sign up here: www.neighbourlink.org/volunteer. Students are welcome and can receive volunteer hours.

A message from the Willowdale BIA...


Your Willowdale BIA is hosting a Scavenger Hunt during the holidays from December 4 to the 31. We have planned an exciting program to get to know businesses in Willowdale while having fun. Join us to support your local businesses and have a great time in this adventure that is sure to keep you on your toes.
We hope that you could help us spread the word about this community event through your networks and, together, help make Willowdale an even more wonderful place. I have attached the flyer, poster, and rule book that you can share with your networks, plus for more information please visit: willowdalebia.com/events

Sheppard Avenue East and Willowdale Avenue Cycling + Road Safety Improvements

The City of Toronto is proposing road safety and cycling improvements on Sheppard Avenue East and Willowdale Avenue. The project is focused on improving the transportation experience for people walking, cycling, taking transit and driving, and meeting the City’s road safety and climate targets.

Opportunities to Learn More & Provide Feedback

There is also opportunity to learn more and provide comments through:

  • Virtual Public Meeting on Tuesday December 7, 2021 6:00 – 8:00 PM (When you follow the link, click on the word Register, next to Event Status)

·         Online comment form (open November 30, 2021 – December 30, 2021)

The deadline to provide feedback is December 30 2021. 

A copy of the public notice being distributed via Canada Post is attached. 

More information can be found on our web page, toronto.ca/SheppardAvenueEast.

Important City Planning business that is going to impact our neighbourhood -Summaries compliments of FoNTRA...

Garden Suites: Final Consultation-Submissions due November 30 

Get your running shoes on and start reading up on what City Planning is setting up for Garden Suites with submissions due by November 30.   

Check out the City Planning Garden Suites Website  for the Draft Permissions, the Draft Official Plan Amendments, the Draft Zoning By-Law Amendments, Review again CORRA's original Position Paper on Garden Suites. Compare and Contrast to see if the City Planners have considered any of our suggestions or addressed our concerns.

Stay tuned for more updates as things develop and we return to more community activities.

Warm Regards,

Stephen, on behalf of the WCRA