Dear Parkdale Neighbours,

Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC) has launched a nationwide petition supporting its proposed 10-storey redevelopment at 1499 and 1501 Queen Street West — a project that would dramatically intensify an already overburdened block. PARC’s petition is being circulated well beyond Parkdale, attracting signatures from people who do not live here and will never experience the day-to-day impact on our streets, homes, and safety.

Our neighbourhood deserves its own voice — one rooted in the real experiences of residents who live near this site and understand its challenges firsthand.

The Parkdale Neighbourhood Group (PNG) has created a local petition to represent our community’s concerns, expectations, and lived realities. This petition is focused on Parkdale and nearby residents and businesses.  We cannot let decisions be influenced by voices coming from outside our neighbourhood, and it’s important that our community presents a clear, unified, resident-based position.

Here’s why this proposal should concern every Parkdale resident and business owner:

• PARC owns all three adjacent buildings on Queen Street West between Dowling and Beaty Avenue. These buildings currently contain approximately 70 supportive housing units as well as a busy drop-in centre for individuals with serious mental health and addiction challenges.                                                                                   
• PARC’s current plan would convert two of the three-storey buildings to large 10 and 7-storey structures comprising 169 supportive housing units on that block, in addition to the drop-in centre. We understand that further development is planned in the next 10 years to encompass the entire block.                                                                  
• These properties have almost no outdoor space for residents and drop-in users, which often results in sidewalk crowding and loitering. The proposed expansion includes no additional private outdoor space and will worsen congestion and disorder on public property, to the detriment of our neighbourhood.                                                        
• An over-concentration of residents with complex needs can strain existing services and businesses, risk greater social stigma, increase crime and street disorder and lead to an upsurge in the number of vulnerable individuals seeking support. This will negatively impact all residents, including those who rely on existing supportive housing and related services to improve their lives.                                               
• Critically, once built, this large-scale facility cannot be “walked back.” Parkdale residents and businesses will live with the consequences of this development for decades to come.

This is not about opposing supportive housing. And it is not about attacking PARC. It’s about responsible planning and equitable distribution — so both residents and vulnerable community members can live safely and with dignity.  

Parkdale has always stood, and will forever stand, for compassion and fairness. But compassion must be matched with balance and accountability for it to successfully lift people up.

Make Your Voice Heard — Sign and Speak Up Now

The City and PARC are watching response numbers closely, and outside signatures are already shaping the narrative. We need Parkdale residents to show that those who live here have a clear, united position.

Sign our local Parkdale petition today

Your signature shows that real Parkdale residents want responsible, balanced development — not unchecked expansion that will reshape our neighbourhood for decades to come.

Every signature counts. Every message matters. Every voice helps protect the future of our community.

Thank you for taking the time to make sure Parkdale’s voice is properly represented!

In partnership,

Parkdale Neighbourhood Group (PNG)
 📧 parkdaleneighbourhood@gmail.com