How the West Was Won
How The West Was Won!
How the West was One – a litter bit at a time
Queen West, West Queen West and Parkdale BIAs join forces
to deal with fallout from Toronto garbage strike
July
13, 2009, Toronto, ON - Call it an act of Western Solidarity. The
Business Improvement Areas (BIA’s) along Queen Street West have decided
to join forces to deal with Toronto’s garbage strike.
For weeks now the Queen West BIA, the West Queen West BIA and the Parkdale BIA have
been individually trying to keep up with the growing amount litter
polluting their areas. But as the strike continues with no end in
sight, the BIAs thought it wise to pool their resources and provide one
central cost-effective collection plan that would help keep the areas
free of street garbage.
And who better than “Mark the Litter Guy” to lead the effort? The BIA coalition has engaged Mark to coordinate the clean up the street refuse that litters Queen West. A native of Winnipeg, Mark Giesbrecht has
been cleaning the streets of Toronto for three years, in exchange for
donations. For this month long pilot project, Mark will coordinate a
team of volunteers to pick up all street garbage along Queen West from
Roncesvalles to University Avenue.
Prior to being shipped to the
dump, collected refuse will be stowed in the West Queen West BIA
courtesy of Woolfitt’s Art Supply. The three BIAs will pool their
resources to ensure that Mark and his team are compensated for three
days of street beautification per week.
About Parkdale BIA
Parkdale Village is a vibrant
commercial strip on Queen Street West from Dufferin Street to
Roncesvalles Avenue. It is a multicultural destination with unique
restaurants that represent this diverse community. Also known as a
historical destination for its many architecturally significant
buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s, they can be found along
Queen St. W and throughout the surrounding residential streets.
Antique stores greet shoppers looking for eclectic pieces to fill their
home. Shoppers looking to add to their wardrobes will find vintage as
well as specialty boutiques for one of-a-kind treasures. The many cafes
and restaurants scattered througout Queen St W are a culinary treat for
visitors as they peruse the distinct neighbourhood of Parkdale. And as
the sun sets on this part of town the nightlife heats up with the wide
selection of bars and concert venues.
About West Queen West BIA
As
one of Toronto’s most dynamic and cutting-edge neighbourhoods, the
West Queen West Art & Design District is an eclectic cultural Mecca
boasting over 300 of the city’s most creative businesses and
attractions including art galleries, designers, unique clothing and
furniture stores, restaurants, nightlife spots and boutique hotels.
Located on the 2 kilometer strip of Queen Street that runs between
Bathurst Street and Gladstone Avenue, West Queen West is a hub of
activity from morning till night and is the destination of choice for
creative Torontonians and tourists of all ages and backgrounds.
About Queen West BIA
Located
just south of the Ontario College of Art and Design and the Art Gallery
of Ontario, Queen West between Simcoe and Bathurst is the neighbourhood
that nurtured young artists for decades. Known for its mixture of
fashion shops, galleries and indie music bars, the eastern part of
Queen West has become a major shopping district while the western half
retains its unconventional roots. During the daytime, shopping rules,
with hordes of youths—and the young at heart. Embracing the latest in
fashion and technology, Queen West mixes culture and merchandising
together in one dynamic environment. At night Queen West is a place
where downtown sophisticates meet tourists and other Torontonians at an
array of restaurants, live music venues and bars.
Media Contacts:
Jessica Goldman – Applause! Communications
Email: jessica@applausecommunications.com
Tel: 416 217 0700 x304
