Toronto Star

King’s Mill Park stairs need to be replaced

- LESLIE FERENC STAFF REPORTER

For years, the old wooden steps leading down into King’s Mill Park from Bloor St. W. were treacherou­s and the source of many complaints.

Thankfully, they were removed when constructi­on began on the Bloor bridge over the Humber River and the park. Work is still being done on the underside of the bridge but the stairs at the northwest corner of the overpass have not been replaced. Carole Colalillo wants to know when they’ll be rebuilt.

King’s Mill is a hidden natural treasure in the midst of the city and a favourite outdoor escape for resi- dents, dog walkers, joggers, cyclists, moms pushing strollers and nature lovers. Colalillo enjoys walking her pooch along the west bank paths, which lead to the waterfront in the south and through Etienne Brule Park to the north. She often used the stairs at the northwest end of the bridge as a short cut and direct access from Bloor into the valley below. Without them, the only way into the park is off Old Mill Rd. or way south, near The Queensway. Colalillo is hoping the city will replace the wooden steps with wide concrete ones and good banisters. We’ve left a message with the west end parks office and will report back. Meanwhile, Linda Granfield is impressed with the new surround constructe­d around the ugly dump- ster near Sunnyside Pavilion. The broken one was dismantled in March. The new one built is painted in what she described as Victorian colours and has what looks like a wrought-iron embellishm­ent.

“Instead of just whacking up some wood, those men made something pretty,” she wrote in an email. “I don’t know who is responsibl­e for taking the extra time and making the effort to actually beautify (it) but I think William Morris himself would be excited to see how they made something ordinary very extraordin­ary.”

She’d like to say thanks for a job well done. “We’re always quick to complain — let’s congratula­te in this case,” she said.

“(Go see it if you can, before the graffiti people get to it.)” What’s broken in your neighbourh­ood? We want to know. To email us, go to www.thestar.com/thefixer and click on the “submit a problem” link. Or call us at 416-869-4823.

 ?? LESLIE FERENC/TORONTO STAR ?? When constructi­on began on the Bloor St. W. bridge over the Humber River and King’s Mill Park, the stairs at the northwest end were removed.
LESLIE FERENC/TORONTO STAR When constructi­on began on the Bloor St. W. bridge over the Humber River and King’s Mill Park, the stairs at the northwest end were removed.

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