What is Playter Estates?
Playter Estates is a neighbourhood in the east, central part of Toronto bounded by Jackman Avenue to the east, Broadview Avenue to the west, Danforth Avenue in the south, and Fulton Avenue in the north.
The Playter Estates neighbourhood was built on land originally owned by the Playter family who were important pioneers in the settlement of York (which eventually became the City of Toronto). Captain George Playter, patriarch of the family, was an United Empire Loyalist who emigrated to Canada from Pennsylvania in the 1790s. Captain Playter and his sons were each given original land grants that extended on both sides of the Don River, from present day Yonge Street along Bloor Street, across the Don Valley and over to approximately Pape Avenue. Two streets here still bear the Playter name – Playter Boulevard and Playter Crescent – while other streets within Playter Estates also relate to Playter family history. For example, Ellerbeck Avenue was named after a Playter son married Sarah Ellerbeck. A family homestead, a two-storey farmhouse, built in the late 1870s and located at 28 Playter Crescent, has been heavily renovated, but still exists in its original, prominent location. Until quite recently, descendants of the Playter family continued to reside within Playter Estates.
The farmland around the original homestead was developed over time, with a significant part of the Playter Estates home building occurring from about 1912. Many of the original, predominantly Edwardian, brick homes – with beautiful architectural features such as leaded and stained glass windows and welcoming porches with timber railings – have been beautifully maintained on tree-lined streets.
Playter Estates is often ranked as a highly desirable, stable, family-friendly neighbourhood with an enviable, inner-city location with excellent walking access to good restaurants, shops, entertainment, services and city transportation. It is near, but not part of, “Greektown”.
Playter Area Residents’ Association – History and Present
The Playter Area Residents’ Association (PARA) was started in about 1972 by families in the neighbourhood who were interested in advocating against high-rise development and creating a supportive neighbourhood group with both social and political goals. The present Jackman Avenue Public School Fair was begun originally as a street party and fundraiser by PARA, though this is now entirely undertaken by the well-regarded, local primary school itself.
Over its long history PARA has organized neighbourhood street parties, a dedication event for an historical plaque erected at the Playter farmhouse, invited numerous expert speakers to its membership meetings and represented the neighbourhood at countless forums and hearings on matters that pertain to development, urban planning and city issues.
PARA was dormant for a few years, but the need to revive PARA increasingly became evident. By January of 2015, PARA had a “rebirth” of sorts as various issues were affecting our neighbourhood.
- We had lost our collective voice and the ability to be heard at City Hall.
- We had no comprehensive way of communicating with each other.
- Notification of political or development meetings were inconsistently dispersed to local residents.
- Parking and traffic concerns mounted and were not being addressed in a comprehensive manner.
- Developments, such as the new Albany Clinic on Broadview Avenue, had ramifications for the neighbourhood with regard to parking and a large influx of short-term visitors, but we had not engaged in such development plans.
- A City of Toronto study, “The Broadview Avenue Planning Study”, was initiated about this time. It would have long-term effects for the area and we needed to ensure our neighbourhood was represented and our opinions were considered.
- We needed to be better informed as a neighbourhood so we could speak/consider things thoughtfully and advocate for ourselves.
- We had lost touch with other residents’ associations.
- Knowledge of the important history of the Playter family and its relationship to Playter Estates and the City of Toronto was disappearing as the older Playter family members were passing away.
- Individual voices for local reforms were proving to be ineffective and were being dismissed. A larger, collective of voices was needed.
PARA’s Recent Work and Accomplishments
As PARA was revived, a new structure was put in place. A PARA Board of Directors was formed and four new PARA Committees were established. The PARA Committees are:
- Urban Forest and Beautification
- Parking and Traffic
- Planning and Development
- Social/Membership
The Urban Forest and Beautification Committee became so busy that they have each become their own separate, though related Committees so in fact there are now 5 Committees!
Committees are intended to be fluid entities and may arise or end as issues and needs change.
Each committee takes on a topic or segment of concern for the neighbourhood. Membership is formed entirely from our own community. Members organize themselves and liaise and report as necessary to the PARA Board of Directors. All neighbours are welcomed and encouraged to take part in a PARA Committee to ensure PARA can continue its good works.
In the last 3 years we have accomplished a great deal! Thanks to PARA volunteers we have:
- Created this community website
- Initiated a PARA Newsletter that is distributed several times per year to improve communication
- Committed to a minimum of a yearly Annual General Meeting (April) and a General Membership Meeting (October) to come together, discuss issues of concern and plan solidly for effective efforts
- Fundraised and developed a comprehensive Urban Forest Plan and created an Inventory of Trees within Playter Estates. These initiatives have been used to plan effectively with City Forestry for suitable trees along our streets and boulevards as our majestic maples near the end of their lifespan
- Liaised with City agencies such as Toronto Parking Authority for local improvements to offset some environmental concerns (like “heat island effect”) at local parking lots
- Developed a Beautification Plan with several significant components to improve the neighbourhood and celebrate its important history to the City – and we have begun fundraising to implement those plans
- Worked with City agencies and our City Councillor to improve parking and traffic issues
- Contributed to the new Broadview Avenue Plan that has set new height and density zoning rules for Broadview Avenue north of the Danforth. This will protect the west side of Playter Estates from overly high-rise development while still supporting improvements and intensification of that area
- Monitored and had representation at a variety of local and provincial forums regarding development proposals that would affect our neighbourhood
- Partnered with the ROM and created a local heritage walk, an opportunity for residents to learn more about the history and architecture of the neighbourhood. Ticket sales also helped fundraising for the Beautification Project
- Begun to liaise with Heritage Toronto to promote their Century House Plaques to celebrate the age and architectural integrity of the homes in Playter Estates
If you have anything you would like to add to this document, feel free to contact our Communication board member Joanne Hutchinson email: joanne@sendseedstoafrica.org.
Thank you