Park History

posted October 24, 2008

1976 Toronto Star article: How citizens fought to build their own park

By: E. FAYE FULTON
Published: October 18 1976
Source: Toronto Star
PDF text only: How citizens fought to build their own park
PDF original Star page: Toronto Star October 18 1976

They scrapped and they fought for three years to get a bit of green grass for their children, and last Saturday they had reason to celebrate.

The swings were up and the grass stretched seven acres from Emerson Ave. to Dufferin St. - the Wallace-Emerson residents association finally has its park.

It's not a big park, mind you. There's still a lot of work to be done but then again, it's a lot better than the tangle of empty and dilapidated warehouses that stood on the site a few years ago.

Adults like Rose and Mike DiFilippo, the husband and wife team that spearheaded the drive to get what they claim is the only park for a community of 10,000 people, say they will make sure the association won't stop just because they now have a space for play.

And kids like Diego Barbera of Emerson Ave., who played table tennis and pool of 24 hours to raise money for field hockey equipment and Carlo Berlingieri, 14, who lent his stereo and record collection as entertainment say they will make sure the park is well used.

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Friendly Campfire at Wallace Emerson

posted January 14, 2007

From long-time Wallace-Emerson staff Marcel Vieira:

Wallace Emerson was built in 1979, and opened in 1980 or 81. A couple of years later the outdoor rink was built.

Three or four hundred people come through the building every day. Different aspects: aquatics, fitness and wellness, sports (drop-in or organized), arts and heritage programs, and camps.

Mostly local community folks, but because of the variety of programming, others are attracted, such as folks from Eglinton and Dufferin West to Keele areas.

There are a wide range of ages from very young to seniors (including card games such as Bridge, Swaka and Brisk, with many including Portuguese and Thai players).

There's a dirt park for bicycles (BMX park).

There are about 100 staff that work out of the centre, mostly on Centre activities. Aquatics alone is probably 30 or 40. The after schools club involves about 15 staff, and about 50 kids.

Swimming and skating lessons are so popular they are always fully booked.

Soccer practice in the park - July 9, 2008