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Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · 14d

The wood was recycled from palettes used for construction material. It was donated by Ouroboros Deconstruction, our neighbourhood salvage shop located at Eastern / Knox Ave. They sell lumber and other recycled fixtures and are friendlier than Home Depot :) Their shop is beautiful, go say hello!

Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · 14d

Thanks to all who were involved in the salvage operation. This small initiative is meaningful for the community and our collective memory about urban space. ✌️And if others would like to share other precedents of salvaged materials reused as urban furniture, I’d love to see it!

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Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · 14d

The bridge features a Howe truss structure, similar to the nearby Queen Street Viaduct as well as the Sir Isaac Brock (Bathurst Street) Bridge. We were able to salvage other trusses from the bridge and they are waiting for adaptive reuse in future projects.

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Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · 14d

The bridge was removed as part of the Lower Don revitalization work because it increased flooding risks along this channelized section of the Don River. It would be an impediment to flood waters during a major storm and could come loose, causing harm downstream.

Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · 14d

The bridge was a heritage structure that tells a story about our neighbourhood’s heritage. The bridge was abandoned for 60 years. It spanned the Don River since 1932, and was abandoned just over three decades later. The pace of change in Toronto is (has always been?) staggering!

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Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · 14d

I was able to advocate for the salvage of trusses from the recently demolished Eastern Avenue Bridge, and the design/build came together with Paul from down the street and Etienne from a block over. Hugh’s Room has agreed to adopt them for now.

Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · 14d

I was able to advocate for the salvage of trusses from the recently demolished Eastern Avenue Bridge, and the design/build came together with Paul from down the street and Etienne from a block over. Hugh’s Room has agreed to adopt them for now.

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Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · 14d

The benches are a prototype of a sustainable approach to street furniture. The benches were made from salvaged materials and showcase the value of the circular economy.

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Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · 14d

Introducing our new East Chinatown bench made entirely from salvaged materials! (bridge and wood pallets) Launched at our community block party, and baptized by teenager garbage, I’m so pleased this came together.

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Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · 15d

The potluck with the mile-long table is always such a treat, meeting new neighbours - what it’s all about. Cozy movie night is a required feature demanded by my kids. Happy to share learnings if anyone is curious about how to pull this off on their block. 🙌🙏

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Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · 15d

Huge thanks to Hugh’s Room for the AV and showcasing Siobhan Bodrug. And thx to volunteers! Luc from First Ave hosted a paper airplane workshop and Hank set up his skate park. Teddy Spins was rocking his sweet cotton candy machine, keeping sugar levels high. Elsa brought out the tarot at sunset.

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Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · 15d

One of the reasons I host the fest is the off chance that we radicalize kids to think about urban space in new ways: streets are for people! And banquet tables! :)

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Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · 15d

Highly recommend getting a permit to open up your block to cars. That’s a wrap on another sometimes-biennial block party! Thanks to those who joined us to celebrate our village and the super fun closure of the street for First Fest.

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Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · 17d

The city keeps looking more beautiful, inclusive and sustainable. Also an impressive number of projects that speak to Indigenous reconciliation efforts across the city. Well done, all!

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Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · 17d

Congratulations to all the 2025 TUDA winners. It was a wonderful event put on by Urban Design staff to recognize design excellence in the city. Browse the Jury Report for an inspiring collection of projects. www.toronto.ca/city-governm...

Toronto Urban Design Awards

The 2025 Toronto Urban Design Awards winners have been announced. The 2025 Jury Report is now available, showcasing the awarded projects. Every other year, the City of Toronto holds Urban Design Awa...

www.toronto.ca

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Reposted by Julie Bogdanowicz

Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 18d

The Toronto Star’s City Report Card survey suggests six in 10 Torontonians believe that the city’s best days are in the past.

Given the challenges Toronto faces right now, it’s an understandable position, but it’s wrong. My column on teenage Toronto. The future is bright if we….(pls read n share).

Shawn Micallef: There’s a good reason why some might think Toronto’s best days are behind it. Here’s how we change their minds

The best days for the city lie ahead of it, but there are things we have to get right to make sure that happens.

www.thestar.com

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Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · 22d

Holy moly. This is impressive NYC!

Lanrick Bennett @lanrickbennett.bsky.social · 22d

Stealing some footage and the ask from @streetfilms.bsky.social Here in #TOpoli there seems to be a lack of #PoliticalWill collectively from elected municipal reps to prioritize the safety of vulnerable road users.

Could individuals interested in becoming mayor do better? Could they do this? ⬇️⏬👇

Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · Sep 4

That’s lovely. What a young leader! This summer, teaching my kid to ride her bike, commuting from East Chinatown to Danforth for camp, we became painfully aware of the lack of safe routes north-south in the area. Kids notice!

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Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · Sep 4

Thx Lanrick! Always a pleasure to do the grunt work to host this block party. Also, my 6 yo asks about this all year: "are we doing a First Fest this year?". It's fun to radicalize small children and show them that streets are for people. The street dance floor is my favorite part :) See you there!

Lanrick Bennett @lanrickbennett.bsky.social · Aug 30

#IdeasAtWork

It’s back!

“JOIN US FOR THE SOMETIMES-BIENNALE BLOCK PARTY!!!

Sept 13th (rain date Sept 14th) from 2pm - 11pm

On First Ave between Broadview and Boulton. The street will be closed to vehicles.” via @jbwicz.bsky.social

Cc: @juliedabrusin.bsky.social @torontopublicspace.bsky.social

What to expect
JOIN US FOR THE SOMETIMES-BIENNALE BLOCK PARTY!!!
WHEN
11pm.
September 13 2025 (rain date Sept 14) from 2pm to
WHERE
On First Ave between Broadview and Boulton. The street will be closed to vehicles.
SCHEDULE
2:00-6:00 pm Children's Programming
2:00-4:00 pm Ice Cream Truck, until out of stock - compliments of Jenny & Shane
3:00 pm Special Guest, Hugh's Room programming
4:00 pm Drunk Jam Band (from Allen Ave!)
5:00 pm Magic Show
6:00 pm Dinner (potluck for residents - bring a dish to share and your own plates, chairs etc )
Sunset Movie night! A Mine Craft Movie, staring Jack Black (bring your own chairs)
9:00-11:00 pm DJ Two-Four & dancing in the street

ALSO FEATURING
Cotton candy by Teddy Spins
Skate park by Hank
Nerf fight hosted by the Wall family at 2:30pm, meet near near 42 First Ave (bring your nerf gun, regular bullets only) Paper airplane workshop by Luc from 3:30-4:30
Sunset Tarot reading with Elsa Lam
Unveiling of new benches made from salvaged trusses from the recently demolished Eastern Ave bridge
FREE MARKETPLACE - if you have things to purge or plants to divide, visit the communal tables

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Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · Sep 4

The Guidelines were released in Draft in 2017 and approved in 2020. Let’s look back at 8 years of planning for children!
Here is a sweet example from Eva Road in Etobicoke, a project that I worked on many moons ago.

Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · Sep 4

Are you a residential developer in Toronto? Have you delivered new indoor or outdoor amenity spaces for children? We are looking to learn from great examples that have been informed by the Growing Up Guidelines. Please show off your work here!

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Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · Aug 21

Thanks for the spotlight Lanrick! Nice to be sandwiched among some inspiring folks here….✌️

Lanrick Bennett @lanrickbennett.bsky.social · Aug 10

#UrbanistShoutOut Continues:

@liorsteinberg.bsky.social
@sflkirk.bsky.social
@alexbeheshti.bsky.social
@davidzipper.bsky.social
@berkie1.bsky.social
@jbwicz.bsky.social
@shoshannasaxe.bsky.social
@jamaps.bsky.social
@kayehm.bsky.social
@trainguy89.bsky.social
@chanface.bsky.social

📢

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Reposted by Julie Bogdanowicz

mtsw @mtsw.bsky.social · Aug 19

As Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo put it: "A city where you can get let go of your child's hand"

Gordon Padelford @gordonofseattle.bsky.social · Aug 19

Pedestrianized streets let kids be kids (and let parents relax a little)

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Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · Jul 25

Ahoy Toronto! Biidaagie Park at the new mouth of the Don River is now open. The trees are babies, bring your own shade. The most incredible Park to open in a generation. Congrats to all involved in reaching this milestone, over the last 30 years. The best example of ambitious city building ❤️.

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Julie Bogdanowicz @jbwicz.bsky.social · Jul 11

Sweet afternoon hosting city planners here for OPPI conference. Colleagues shared collective decades of experience shaping the connective tissue that knits the waterfront.

It was a privilege to describe the 2.5km long narrative and take it in within one 3 hour gulp.

Full thread on LinkedIn….