You’re Invited: Jamie Bell Adventure Playground’s Redecorating + Celebration July 7, 2012

This video (22:13) presents “HiMY SYeD – Mike Holmes Groundbreaking Jamie Bell Adventure Playground High Park Toronto May 18”:

On March 17, a fire destroyed a large portion of  Jamie Bell Adventure Playground in High Park of Toronto, Ontario, Canada .

The ambitious rebuild of Jamie Bell Adventure Playground is being led by Mike Holmes and landscape architect Janet Rosenberg, who together will reveal the new, revitalized playground tomorrow, July 7, at noon by removing a cover from the structure:

  • Community volunteers will be invited to redecorate the structure at: Jamie Bell Playground, High Park, 1873 Bloor St. W.
    • Please note that the entire rebuild project is being filmed for a fall 2012 episode of Holmes Makes It Righton HGTV Canada:
      • “All volunteers and attendees will be required to register sign a Personal Release for the TV production.
      • All volunteers need to sign a Volunteer Placement Release and Waiver.”
  • On-site family activities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Made possible by donations from rebuild sponsors Canadian Tire and Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse
    • A number of local companies and community services will also be providing activities

The event schedule is:

  • 8:30 a.m. – Volunteer registration begins
  • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – On site family activities and volunteer activities
  • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Complimentary lunch will be available
  • 12 p.m. (noon) – The new playground structure will be unveiled
  • Noon to 5 p.m. – Volunteers will apply finishing touches to playground
  • 5 p.m. – Official remarks:
    • Councillor Sarah Doucette (Ward 13 Parkdale-High Park) will be joined by Mike Holmes and rebuild sponsor representatives for official remarks about the project

On-site activities (open to everyone) taking place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

  • Canadian Tire Fun Zone:
    • Many different play activities for children and their families, tattoos and face painting
    • Canadian Tire will also be sponsoring the complimentary lunch that will be provided to the community from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse Build & Grow:
    • Lowe’s will be providing children and their families with wood building kits to assemble and will be setting up an inflatable soccer game station
    • Lowe’s is also sponsoring the complimentary lunch
  • Toronto Professional Fire Fighters Association & Toronto Fire Services:
    • Staff from both departments and all three fire stations who were present on March 17, the day of the fire, will be present to support the rebuild and all attending
    • There will be an inflatable fire truck alongside a fire truck and water play station for children
      • The public will be able to:
        • climb the truck
        • take pictures
        • speak to staff about fire safety
        • receive colouring books and tattoos
  • Toronto Police Services:
    • Police Services will provide staff to monitor and direct traffic
    • The Mounted Unit will be on-site with two horses there from 10 am to noon
    • Also, ‘Blinky’ will be set up on site for the children to visit and learn about being safe
  • Toronto Emergency Medical Services (EMS):
    • EMS will provide medical support if required
    • They will have magnets, stickers and heat info sheets to give out at the event
  • High Park Nature Centre:
    • They will have a “touch table” with natural artifacts from High Park like bird nests, skulls, feathers, fur and insects for visitors to interact with.
    • They will also run nature games and activities for kids like scavenger hunts and bug hunts!
  • Colborne Lodge Museum:
    • People can:
      • play with 19th-century toys
      • learn how the Howards founded High Park
      • get information about family programs at the Lodge

Volunteer activities (must register to participate):

  • Mulch Hauling:
    • Volunteers will help with the placement of mulch to the new playground
  • Mural Painting Station on old playground & Ancillary Building:
    • Volunteers will do the touch up painting needed on the old playground to give it an updated bright new look
    • Coordinated by an artist, children will be encouraged to paint artistic medieval drawings that will be assembled to the building walls located on the playground
  • Kids Artwork:
    • Children can create artworks that will be installed in the playground just like children did in 1998 when the original Jamie Bell Adventure Playground was built

Tips to help you enjoy the day:

  • To volunteer on the playground site you must wear closed toed shoes
  • Parking – there will be limited parking so they encourage everyone to walk, bike or take TTC:
    • If you do drive, please enter off Parkside Drive
    • Volunteers who have registered will be given priority for parking near the site
    • Other parking can be found through the park
  • Water, courtesy of Water on Wheels
    • will be available on site
    • so bring your reusable water bottles, they’ll be easy to refill

A full rebuild day event schedule is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/pdf/featured-parks/buildday.pdf.

City of Toronto Contact Info

For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can phone :

  • within Toronto city limits: 311
  • outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
    (can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311)
  • for TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
    Fax: 416-338-0685
    E-mail: 311@toronto.ca
  • (If your matter is urgent, please call them. They are open 24/7.)
  • always call 911 for emergencies

Enjoy!

You're Invited: Jamie Bell Adventure Playground's Redecorating + Celebration July 7, 2012. Above, Jamie Bell Adventure Playground – Community Build Day – Site Map
You’re Invited: Jamie Bell Adventure Playground’s Redecorating + Celebration July 7, 2012. Above, Jamie Bell Adventure Playground – Community Build Day – Site Map

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Media Advisory

July 6, 2012

Jamie Bell Adventure Playground community rebuild day

High Park’s rebuilt Jamie Bell Adventure Playground will be unveiled and redecorated on Saturday. Hundreds of community volunteers will participate, with the playground’s many patrons and rebuild sponsors providing support. A fire at the playground on March 17 destroyed a large portion of the popular structure.

Date: Saturday, July 7
Time: Official remarks at 5 p.m.; on-site activities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Jamie Bell Playground, High Park, 1873 Bloor St. W.

This ambitious rebuild project is being led by Mike Holmes and landscape architect Janet Rosenberg, who together will reveal the new, revitalized playground at noon by removing a cover from the structure. Community volunteers will be invited to redecorate the structure.

The entire rebuild project is being filmed for a fall episode of Holmes Makes It Right on HGTV Canada.

There will be many family activities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., made possible by donations from rebuild sponsors Canadian Tire and Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse. A number of local companies and community services will also be providing activities. A full rebuild day event schedule is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/pdf/featured-parks/buildday.pdf.

At 5 p.m., Councillor Sarah Doucette (Ward 13 Parkdale-High Park) will be joined by Mike Holmes and rebuild sponsor representatives for official remarks about the project.

Originally opened in 1998, the Jamie Bell Adventure Playground is a family meeting place that was inspired and built by the imagination and creativity of the local community and its children.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.7 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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