Bellwoods park rages on while I continue to mourn my Uncle
One year ago on May 20th, I couldn’t go to my Uncle's funeral because of COVID restrictions, and on that same day, 10,000 park goers gathered without consequence in the sunshine outside my door. I am glad they got to enjoy their lives that day, but I certainly did not.
This weekend is my uncles unveiling, a Jewish ritual to showcase his tombstone, and I can’t go; and while 10 of my family members gather outside by his grave…again…without me and my siblings, I can assure you that another 10, 000 park goers will enjoy the sunshine this weekend, and I’ll be equally, if not more enraged by the lack of leadership in Toronto, Ward 10.
Friends, I get it, and I’m the last to be a Debbie Downer or a Karen. I want folks to enjoy the sunshine, closeness, and get a glimpse of that glimmering hope we’ve all been waiting for — but we need to do that with a little bit more integrity, and selflessness.
Defecating on private property or publicly (Image 1), blasting loudspeakers ’til 3 am (Image 2), littering broken beer bottles (Image 3), and increasing violence (contact for video footage) is not the way and is certainly not the Bellwoods I fell in love with 10 years ago.
Fellow residents are concerned about their safety, and our local city Counsellor, Joe Cressy, could evidently care less.
As much as I want to get mad at the behaviours we are seeing, Cressy is to blame. What’s worse, he sits on the Health Board and has done nothing about the cesspool that is his local park, despite constant pleas from residents.
Friends, if the Bereavement Association of Ontario can follow its bylaws, it is my hope that Toronto can follow theirs.
So, now what?
The weather is our cue to prepare for crisis and let me tell you: drawing circles in our park doesn’t stop folks from gathering in large packs, placing four extra porta-potties doesn’t prevent people from peeing on my lawn and having two ticketing bylaw officers who feel threatened by the crowds doesn’t work.
Maybe it’s time you prepare for festival-level safety measures and get more porta-potties, increased security, and check people’s bags for booze and drugs before entering the park.
While park-goers are laying out their best party outfits in anticipation for this weekend, residents in my neighbourhood (who live across the street) are gearing up to fend off trespassers and mobile nightclubs, pick up their garbage and do the city’s work.
I’ll be Facetiming my dad from my porch to say one last goodbye to my Uncle.
Elise Kayfetz is a storyteller, yoga instructor (check IG: @thetiniyogini), psychotherapy student based in Toronto. She’s building PLOT: End of Life Canada, a passion project and community (join here).