January 14th Meeting Summary

Sally giving a pitch for Black Oak Triangle.

The January Fuzzy Boundaries meeting at the new Boys and Girls Club on Ernest was a great success and was moderated by Fuzzy member Warren McPherson. About forty people, kids and adults alike, gathered to make their pitch for names. There were no guest speakers -- just a group of neighbours discussing the community and what it should be called. Suggestions ranged from Black Oak Triangle to the Nook to Perth Square and the Wedge. The list goes on. One attendee commented that it was an "amazing" community meeting. "People shot each other down in the politest way possible."

Sally describes the triangular shape of our neighbourhood.

There was lots of discussion about the word "triangle." For some, it has historic significance, since it connects back to the name Junction Triangle, which arose when the community came together to fight pollution in the 1970s and 80s. For others, it has symbolic significance as the strongest geometric shape. Someone suggested "The Triangle" was a great name without any kind of prefix; others felt it was too vague, and that there are other triangles elsewhere in the city.

Chris answered many questions.

One man made a poetic pitch for the name "SoJuTa," derived from South Junction Triangle. Another spoke eloquently about the strength of a name like "Wallace Crossing." Was "crossing" a better word than triangle or village or park or town, because it has a sense of welcome? And was it okay to use a street name -- something with Wallace, Perth or Symington -- to define an entire neighbourhood?

Kevin spoke a bit about the origins of our neighbourhood.

One woman said she leaned towards a name that reached further into the past -- Royce Village, or perhaps Shedden, for the original Shedden Farm located here. Someone else told the group that Symington Avenue was named after John Shedden's lawyer in the 1870s and that Paton Road was named after Mr. Shedden's nephew.

Carla making a suggestion for her favourite name.

Overall, it was an excellent discussion in a somewhat unusual space. The building at 45 Ernest, near Solways, is still under renovation, but was generously offered by the Boys and Girls Club, who will officially move into the new digs within the next couple of months. Club Director Tony Palermo is enthusiastic about the Club's new space, and urged residents to get in touch with him if they had useful items to contribute. 416-530-4233.

A family affair. All age groups were represented at this meeting!