Residents are asked to share thoughts online or in person on proposed changes

The City of Oshawa is inviting residents to share their feedback on proposed upgrades to Glen Stewart Park (201 Cabot St.). A Public Open House will be held Thursday, April 28 between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. to inform the public of the proposed park improvements for this multiyear project and gather feedback on the proposed work related to the playground, splash pad, and parking lot. Feedback received will guide future decision-making for the project.

“I encourage our residents to attend the Public Open House or post their comments online through Connect Oshawa regarding the Glen Stewart Park redevelopment,” said Councillor John Aker, Chair of the Development Services Committee. “This is a wonderful opportunity to hear what our residents have to say. Your input is important this project.”

The event will be held at the Glen Stewart Community Centre and attendees will have the opportunity to discuss and provide feedback directly with City staff as well as document their opinions in a survey.

Upgrades to the Glen Stewart Park ball diamonds will be based on recommendations from the Outdoor Field Study (2004) and Parks, Recreation, Library and Culture Facility Needs Assessment, which sought feedback from the public in late 2014.

“Staff have developed plans to upgrade Glen Stewart Park based on the 2014 Parks, Recreation, Library and Culture Facility Needs Assessment, but they want to ensure the community knows what’s happening and look at any recommendations you might have,” said Councillor Bob Chapman, Chair of the Community Services Committee. “So, if you have any ideas on how to make the park a better place, we’d love to hear from you.”

Residents who are unable to attend the Open House in person are invited to share their feedback on Connect Oshawa where starting Thursday, April 21 they will find an online version of the Open House survey, frequently asked questions, as well as background information about the project.

The Park redevelopment is anticipated to begin in September 2016 and continue through to the fall of 2017. To learn more about the Glen Stewart Park Redevelopment, please visit the Glen Stewart Park webpage.

Volunteers wanted to help clean up Oshawa, April 17-23

With spring in the air, homeowners, families, businesses, students and community leaders are encouraged to take part in the City’s 20^th annual Community Clean-up Week.

The kick-off week takes place April 17-23, and welcomes groups of all sizes who are interested in volunteering to clean up parks, green spaces, trails and schoolyards. Registered participants will be provided with free bags and gloves, while supplies last and will receive a Certificate of Appreciation to acknowledge their contribution to the community. Volunteers can learn more and obtain the registration form online on the Clean Up Week webpage.

“While the weather lately has been unpredictable there is one thing that is certain: it’s time to clean-up the litter around our city,” said Councillor Bob Chapman, Chair of the Community Services Committee. “Clean-up week starts this Sunday and if everyone does just a little Oshawa will be ready for the real spring weather that is coming.”

Additionally, a collaboration of organizations within downtown Oshawa are coordinating this year’s Communities with Brooms event, scheduled for Friday, April 22 beginning at 11:30 a.m. The event will bring community volunteers together, as well as representatives from Downtown Oshawa Board of Management, M.P. Colin Carrie, M.P.P. Jennifer French, Durham Regional Police Service, John Howard Society and the City of Oshawa to spruce up the downtown. Residents can register by emailing the John Howard Society of Durham Region.

“A clean city brings pride,” says Councillor Sanders, Council Representative on the Downtown Oshawa Board of Management. “Let’s join together and prepare our Downtown for its summer plant beautification.”

Communities with Brooms aims to clean up downtown Oshawa, foster community pride, build partnerships and raise awareness regarding clean and safe communities. Following the event, participants are invited to attend a barbecue lunch sponsored by Oshawa M.P. Colin Carrie.

For more information and for assistance in choosing a community clean-up area or finding a group, contact the City at 905-438-3146 or visit the Clean Up Week webpage. To register for Communities with Brooms, email the John Howard Society of Durham Region.

Oshawa City Council presented Mal Knocker with the Community Legends Award at the April 11 Council meeting. Mal was recognized as an Oshawa Community Legend as he continually embraces and strengthens our community through the generous devotion of his time and skills.

Mal joined the Canadian Armed Forces at the age of 20 and was posted to the Second Battalion of the Canadian Guards and was selected for the Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa. He also anchored the winning Battalion track relay team, was awarded the NATO medal and granted Life Membership in the Canadian Guard Association.

Locally, Mal served 35 years with the Oshawa Fire Department (O.F.D.) and retired as Captain in 1998. He was awarded Firefighter of the Year, coached fastball and hockey teams and organized the first O.F.D. Colour Party.

He is a proud husband, father of three daughters and grandfather to six grandchildren. Mal also coached his daughter’s baseball team and served as assistant coach to the Bowmanville Midget Badgers Select Team taking them all the way to the All Ontario Championships in Ottawa.

Mal is an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion and lends his skills to the Poppy Fund, Colour Party, maintenance and various events. He has been appointed Life Member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch #43.

During his retirement years, Mal has been very active and continues to serve his community. As Drum Major of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #43 Pipe Band, Mal is always the lead for the city’s annual Fiesta and Santa Claus parades as well as the Colour Party. He also assists with the organization of Oshawa’s annual Remembrance Day Ceremony and is on the organizing team for the annual Festival of Remembrance.

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #43 Pipe Band has produced a CD titled Beneath the Vigils, a musical tribute to those who have made the journey along the Highway of Heroes. This project has raised $20,000 for and has been recognized by Parkwood Veteran’s Hospital in London Ontario. The Canadian Red Cross presented Mal with a plaque for his contribution of 140 units of blood over the years.

“Mr. Knocker is involved in many things that happen in Oshawa, but is never too busy to take on another task if it helps our community and the people within it,” said Councillor Bob Chapman, Chair of the Community Services Committee. “He is an excellent example of someone who thinks of others before self and a great choice as a Community Legend – congratulations Mal!”

The Community Legends Award celebrates individuals and organizations whose everyday actions make a positive impact on Oshawa. The citizens of Oshawa nominate their community Legend, a person or group of any age, living in Oshawa who has:

• made a significant contribution to an activity, sport or community initiative;
• contributed to improving the quality of life of the Oshawa community; and/or,
• made a significant impact on the Oshawa community at a grassroots level through arts & culture, sport or community initiatives.

Previous recipients include Jackie Finn, Bob Hooper, Jim Potticary, Viola Pilkey, Ken Shaw, Chelsea Smith, and the Oshawa Block Parents Association.

To learn more about the Community Legends Recognition Program, visit the Community Legends webpage, call 905-436-3311 or email the Community Legends program.

City launches new YouTube video and Instagram account as part of Our Oshawa campaign

The City of Oshawa is excited to present its new YouTube video as the first element of the recently launched Our Oshawa campaign. Building on the momentum of the recently released “Our Oshawa” publication and the positive community feedback, the goal of the campaign is to inspire community members to share their stories. The launch video kicks off this theme by featuring a wide cross-section of the Oshawa community making a statement of what Oshawa means to them.

Taking a “for the community, by the community” approach, the series will focus on Oshawa, its residents and their stories. This is a collaborative project in the truest sense of the word: the music was composed and recorded by local musicians and photos were captured by local photographers.

This ongoing campaign will feature a number of videos that will be filmed and released throughout the year; they will highlight accomplishments and share the positive stories and achievements of our community.

“This important project will give the opportunity for people to share their unique stories. It will allow others to see what we all know and love about our great city,” says Councillor Amy McQuaid-England, Chair of the Corporate Services Committee.

Video is just one component of the Our Oshawa campaign. Community members have been invited to share their story online on Connect Oshawa. It is these stories that will inspire future videos and be featured on posters in downtown storefronts, businesses, Oshawa recreational facilities and on the City’s Twitter, Facebook and new Instagram account.

The new Instagram account (@CityOfOshawa) will not only profile the good news stories shared on Connect Oshawa, but also capture Oshawa’s community spirit, its beautiful landscape and more! Social media users are encouraged to use #OurOshawa in their Instagram captions. Select photos will be profiled on the @CityOfOshawa account.

The latest edition of MoneySense magazine has ranked Durham/Oshawa as the No. 1 place to buy real estate in the Greater Toronto Area (G.T.A.).

MoneySense looked at Canada’s top 35 largest cities and compared housing prices and price appreciation then factored in value, momentum, income potential and economic health.

In the overall rankings, Durham/Oshawa placed 1st in the G.T.A., as well as 9th in Canada (up from 10th in 2015). In the ranking for 5-year price appreciation, Durham/Oshawa placed 1st in the G.T.A. and 2nd in Canada.

According to the study, the average price for a home in Durham/Oshawa is approximately $439,842, with an impressive 5-year price appreciation of 8.0 per cent.

Two Oshawa neighbourhoods, when compared to 400+ neighbourhoods in the Toronto area, made the Top 25 list for Real Estate Investment. The Central Oshawa neighbourhood ranked #5 and the O’Neill neighbourhood ranked #25.

Additionally, two other Oshawa neighbourhoods, Windfields and Taunton, received a 4-star realtor grade and were among a small group of 19 Toronto neighbourhoods (out of 400+) to receive the top 4-star rating.

“Oshawa is one of the best places to live and invest,” said Mayor John Henry. “Our community boasts an exceptional quality of life with top-notch post-secondary options; job opportunities in growth sectors; and a wide variety of leisure and recreational opportunities. Include an integrated transit network of Highways 401 and 407, Durham Transit, GO Transit, VIA Rail, airport and harbour. Oshawa simply has it all.”

“Oshawa has a robust housing market with both existing home sales and sales in new subdivisions,” added Councillor John Aker, Chair of the Development Services Committee. “There is excellent choice and value for home buyers who want to live in a healthy, safe and progressive community. Welcome to Oshawa!”

For more information, View the article on the MoneySense website.