Wexford Blooms Harvest Festival
Oct 14, 12:00pm
Celebrate harvest time and the community spirit of Wexford Heights!
Wexford Blooms
Wexford Blooms was popped up from August 8 to October 15, 2023. The sites were designed and programmed in partnership with Wexford Heights Business Improvement Area and the Working Women Community Centre.
Installation locations
Wexford Heights Plaza (2071 Lawrence Ave E)
Colony Plaza (2020 Lawrence Ave E)
Better than Yia Yia’s (1841 Lawrence Ave E)
Ghadir (1848 Lawrence Ave E)
Wexford Blooms 2gether Hub Site at Wexford Plaza
2072 Lawrence Ave E
Illustration: Craig Klomp
2072 Lawrence Ave E
Illustration: Craig Klomp
The Wexford Blooms hub was animated with programming throughout the summer and fall!
Photo: Tupac Espinoza
Photo: Tupac Espinoza
Our hub site at Wexford Heights Plaza created a comfortable space for people to gather, meet friends, & eat!
Photo: Kat Rizza
Photo: Kat Rizza
Wexford Blooms Tuk-Tuk site at Colony Plaza
2020 Lawrence Ave E
Illustration: Craig Klomp
2020 Lawrence Ave E
Illustration: Craig Klomp
Nestled into the corner of Colony Plaza, our tuk-tuk site hosted daily gatherings
Photo: Tupac Espinoza
Photo: Tupac Espinoza
Wexford Blooms park-style at Better Than Yia Yia’s
1841 Lawrence Ave E
Illustration: Craig Klomp
1841 Lawrence Ave E
Illustration: Craig Klomp
Hammocks under an existing tree created an unexpected calming oasis along otherwise busy Lawrence Ave E
Photo: Kat Rizza
Photo: Kat Rizza
The landmark “zig zag” Wexford sign created seating along the sidewalk and protected visitors from fast moving traffic
Photo: Tupac Espinoza
Photo: Tupac Espinoza
Booths along Pharmacy Ave complemented nightly gatherings at Ghadir
1848 Lawrence Ave E
Illustration: Craig Klomp
1848 Lawrence Ave E
Illustration: Craig Klomp
The Ghadir booths provided comfortable places to eat take out and catch up with friends
Photo: Kat Rizza
Photo: Kat Rizza
Engagement process
plazaPOPS partnered with the Working Women Community Centre (WWCC) as our local anchor partner in 2023. The WWCC is well versed in city-building and community economic development and were the perfect collaborator to connect us to a network of local residents and community organizations that formed our Community Working Group.
The Wexford Blooms Community Working Group met 3 times to collaboratively design the sites and programming for the 2023 season.
To reduce barriers for participation, Working Group members received honoraria, meetings were catered (by delicious local restaurants!), and transit fare, childcare, and translation services were provided.
The community design process was integrated into a Masters of Landscape Architecture studio at the University of Guelph led by Brendan Stewart (read a student’s reflections here!), and students helped translate the community’s vision into designs that were implemented.
The Community Working Group met 3 times to vision, design, and refine the Wexford Blooms sites
Photo: Videsh Brijpaul
Photo: Videsh Brijpaul
Local residents, business owners, & community orgs give feedback to initial ideas designed by University of Guelph Masters of Landscape Architecture students
University of Guelph Masters of Landscape Architecture students created models based on the community visions expressed at previous workshops
Student models based on the vision of the community became reality! The zig zag sign was eventually built at our park site in 2023.
We make sure there are multiple methods for communicating feedback: discussions, posters, and work booklets to name a few
Back at the University of Guelph, design professionals came to offer feedback on student work based on the community workshops
A workshop participant shares their groups ideas for the installations theme by drawing a flag representing Wexford Heights!
Watch the 2023 video!
Events at this POP
Scarborough Late Night Food Tour
Sep 23, 7:30pm
A Late Night food tour with a stop at Wexford Blooms!
Global Sustainable Foods Market – Sep 17
Sep 17, 10:00am
Join us for our a farmers market at Wexford Blooms featuring DJs, fruits and veggies, and local artisans!
Private Lots + People Spots Exhibition + Reception
Sep 14, 6:00pm
An exhibition featuring the history of plazaPOPS all the amazing partnerships and work that has gone into popping plazas!
Scarborough Cycles, Slow Roll: Food Edition
Aug 26, 4:30pm
Join us for a 12km ride to visit some of Scarborough’s tastiest takeout spots in Wexford Heights.
Summer Blooms Fest
Aug 17, 5:30pm
Join us at Wexford Plaza for Summer Blooms Fest, a celebration of the opening of WexPOPS: Wexford Blooms, and all the brilliant community spirit that went into this year’s plazaPOPS in Wexford Heights!
Mind in Motion Exhibit
Aug 11, 6:00pm
On August 11, For You Telecare Family Services took over Wexford Blooms as part of their “Expressive Art Workshop”!
Wexford Blooms Movie Night
Aug 8, 8:00pm
Movie night at the strip mall! We’re thrilled to be screening Scarborough Icons in Wexford Plaza!
‘Movie Night’ at the strip mall!
On August 8th, our Wexford Blooms hub site at the Wexford Heights plaza (2072 Lawrence Avenue East), hosted a ‘pop up’ screening of “The Wexford” (2017) — a short doc about the 3 generations of the Kiriakou family that ran the eponymous, iconic restaurant until it closed in 2020 — and “Scarborough” (2021) — which explores the struggles, endurance, and resilience of this culturally diverse Toronto community.
Photo: Kat Rizza
Photo: Kat Rizza
Photo: Kat Rizza
Photo: Kat Rizza
Photo: Kat Rizza
Photo: Kat Rizza
Photo: Kat Rizza
Photo: Kat Rizza
Photo: Kat Rizza
Photo: Kat Rizza
Photo: Kat Rizza
Photo: Kat Rizza
plazaPOPS supports the local economy!
Our Wexford Blooms 2023 Economic Impact Report is an opportunity to share the catalyzing effects of investment in community economic development, from hiring 39 Building Up trainees (who went on to get long term jobs in the construction industry), local youth (for many, it was their first job), supporting local artists, and of course, eating all the delicious eats that Wexford restaurants are famous for!
Wexford Blooms Collaborators
We are so grateful to the Wexford Heights community for our second year of pop ups in this delicious and vibrant corner of Toronto!
None of this would be possible without our vast network of collaborators
Project Team
Michael Belly
Building Up
Marc Soberano
Building Up
Rui Felix
ERA Architects
Tupac Espinoza
ERA Architects
Stuart Chan
ERA Architects
Steven Shuttle
ERA Architects
Bryan Peart
Working Women Community Centre
Alyssa Bharat
Working Women Community Centre
Luanne Rayvals
Working Women Community Centre
Fiona Persaud
Wexford Heights BIA
Michael Phan
Wexford Heights BIA
Edgar Tam
Wexford Heights BIA
Liam Doyle
Planting Lead
Margot Kapache
Lead Student Researcher
The Wexford Blooms
Community Working Group
R Wolfe
Boys and Girls Club East Scarborough
Michelle Joseph
Boys and Girls Club East Scarborough
Elvis Appiah
Local resident
S Ahmed
Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture
Valerie Kerr
Native Child and Family Services
Raymond Mitchell
Local resident
Abdillaahi Mohamed
Local Resident
Suyeon Kim
For Youth Telecare Family Services
Minaz Asani
Local resident
Idil Jama
Local resident
Carolyn Heath
Local resident
Quentin de Becker
Local Resident
Kevin Bassi
Local resident
Aunti Amal
Auntie Amal Community Centre
Amira Babeiti
Global Sustainable Foods
Event leads and collaborators
Howard Tam
Eat More Scarborough
Marvin Macaraig
Scarborough Cycles
Derek Spooner
Scarborough Arts
Emily Peltier
Scarborough Arts
Faith Rajasingham
Scarborough Arts
Sylvie Stojanovski
Scarbrite Collective
Frannie Potts
Scarbrite Collective
Anita Li
The Green Line
Amira Babeiti + crew
Global Sustainable Foods
Faith Rajasingham
Scarborough Arts
Sylvie Stojanovski
Scarbrite Collective
Frannie Potts
Scarbrite Collective
Frannie Potts
Scarbrite Collective
Community Based Researchers
Saara Liinamaa
Research lead
Mervyn Horgan
Research Lead
Naziha Nasrin
Community-based researcher
Mahima Patel
Community-based researcher
University of Guelph Masters of Landscape Architecture Students
Tyler Brown
Madison Costello
Ryan De Jong
Liam Doyle
Paul Hiff
Maryalice Keirstead
Craig Klomp
Margot Kapache
Victoria Big Yue Lau
Julia Loach
Mitchell Miron
Seyedeh Sara Mokhberi
Harley Schneider
Quian Wan
Emma Zacharias
Project partners
Building on relationships that began in 2019, our local community partners were essential to the success of Wexford Blooms!
Working Women Community Centre
Local Anchor Partner
The WWCC is the largest women-focused settlement agency in Toronto, dedicated to supporting newcomers and their families, and striving to create a welcoming environment where immigrant women can find the resources they need to thrive, making us a trusted friend and, in many cases, a vital lifeline.
As our local anchor partner, the WWCC facilitated the creation of our Community Working Group, hosted our working group meetings, and co-planned and facilitated major events throughout the summer and fall. They also helped us administrate our Youth Site Steward positions!
Wexford Heights BIA
Project host
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Scarborough Arts
Program Partner
Scarborough Arts is one of Toronto’s six Local Arts Service Organizations (LASOs) mandated to serve the Scarborough region by offering inclusive, low-barrier and community-driven arts and cultural programming and services.
Scarborough Arts partnered with plazaPOPS to deliver a wide range of arts programming throughout the summer and fall.
Eat More Scarborough
Program Partner
Eat More Scarborough is a food tour company located in Scarborough, Ontario, home to some of the world’s highest quality and diverse cuisines – from some of the most humble and passionate chefs anywhere.
Eat More Scarborough included Wexford Blooms on its Food Tours of Scarborough in the summers of 2023 and 2024!
Scarborough Zero Waste
Program Partner
SZW’s mission is to inspire, support and facilitate waste reduction initiatives among individuals, community groups, events or businesses while bringing Scarborough people together thanks to healing connections.
SZW participated in our Community Working Group and programmed a sustainability event at Wexford Blooms.
Auntie Amal Community Centre
Program Partner
The role of Auntie Amal Community Center is to encourage community spirit for individuals/families living in our community through integrity and professionalism. To develop and maintain facilities, enable volunteers, support programs and related services based on community needs.
Auntie Amal was part of our Community Working Group and programmed our Wexford Blooms hub site throughout the summer.
Muslims in Public Space
Program Partner
MiPs initiatives/projects are co-created by planners, designers, community-based advocates, policymakers, and educators. We are working together to build a more inclusive city in the hopes of addressing more complex challenges.
MiPS brought their Islamic Mosaic workshop to Wexford Blooms’ Harvest Fest!
Inclusive Local Economic Opportunity
Local Economic Partner
The Inclusive Local Economic Opportunity Initiative (ILEO) brings together the private, public, and community sectors to find innovative ways to reduce gaps in economic prosperity at the neighbourhood level. ILEO is convened by United Way Greater Toronto and BMO Financial Group.
The Green Line
Media Partner
The Green Line is an award-winning, hyperlocal publication that delivers information you can actually use in your daily life. Our team investigates the way Torontonians live to report on solutions, actions and resources that help you become happier in our city.
The Green Line used Wexford Blooms as an opportunity to connect with local Scarborough residents on issues that matter to them. They hosted a Story Circle and had an interactive “speakers corner” booth at our hub site.
For You Telecare Family Service
Program Partner
Toronto Korean Community FUTFS assists individuals and families from all walks of life to overcome cultural, emotional, and psychological barriers through a wide range of counselling and educational services and programs.
Youth participating in FYTFS’ summer program supported Wexford Blooms by volunteering throughout the summer, especially at our larger events! FYTFS also hosted an outdoor exhibition at Wexford Blooms.
Global Sustainable Foods
Program Partner
GSF is a non-profit organization founded with the goal to curate a food network supply chain on the principles of sustainability.
GSF members were part of our Community Working Group and programmed a Farmers Market at Wexford Blooms – the first drive through Farmers Market in Scarborough!
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Ecological Partner
Since 1957, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), as enabled through the provincial Conservation Authorities Act, has taken action to enhance our region’s natural environment and protect our land, water and communities from the impacts of flooding and increasingly extreme weather events — Ontario’s leading cause of public emergencies.
Once Wexford Blooms’ popped down, all of plazaPOPS’ native plants were transplanted in the nearby Meadoway, a project by the TRCA to transform a hydro corridors into a native meadow and trail! The TRCA worked with plazaPOPS to select native plants that were suitable to grow in the Meadoway and participated in our events throughout the summer.
West Scarborough Neighbourhood Community Centre
Youth Staff Partner
The West Scarborough Neighbourhood Community Centre is one of the largest multi-service agencies in Scarborough.
The WSNCC participated in our Community Working Group and facilitated the Toronto Youth Job Corps program that trained and funded our Youth Site Stewards.
Site & neighbourhood context
The Wexford Heights BIA, known for its creativity and its annual ‘Taste of Lawrence’ street festival, is home to over 60 diverse restaurants within its two-kilometer jurisdiction.
Wexford Heights Plaza in Scarborough in 1977 (Toronto Star)
Tony Kirakou and his family ran the Wexford Restaurant for 63 years, and now own several plazas in the neighbourhood
In the early 1960s, Wexford transitioned from rural to suburban land uses
Today, Wexford-Maryvale is a typical Toronto suburb with residential enclaves line by strip mall main streets
Pharmacy and Lawrence Avenues looking northeast, in 1955
Pharmacy and Lawrence Aves looking southwest, 1973
Murals throughout the neighbourhood commissioned by the Kiriakou’s tell immigration stories that all end in Wexford
54 East magazine proposed a “Souk Shade” shelter in the early 2000s as part of new ways of thinking about strip malls’ role in urban vitality
Wexford Heights hosts the annual Taste of Lawrence festival, closing all 7 lanes of Lawrence Ave E and transforming a strip mall main street that usually prioritizes cars into a haven for pedestrians
During the Taste of Lawrence, the huge parking lots become stages for vibrant urbanity: here, the iconic Wexford Plaza transforms into a huge patio, complete with liquor license!
Despite a growing number of pedestrians, cyclist, and transit users, Lawrence Ave E remains a risky spot to cross the street
Strategies for safety: without any infrastructure supporting cyclists, riders have taken visibility into their own hands!
Funders and Sponsors
Wexford Blooms was made possible by our funders!
City of Toronto
Funders
Wexford Blooms 2gether was funded by the City of Toronto’s Main Street Recovery and Rebuild Initiative and Main Street Innovation Fund, as part of Government of Canada support through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).
Federal Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Funders
Wexford Blooms 2gether was funded by the City of Toronto’s Main Street Recovery and Rebuild Initiative, as part of Government of Canada support through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
Funders
The University of Guelph-led plazaPOPS research initiative is funded by SSHRC’s “Partnership Development” Grant.
Aiden Rad Realty
Sponsor
An award-winning team with over 22 Years of combined experience In real estate across GTA, but with local roots in Wexford.
The Rad Team sponsored our Wexford Blooms Harvest Festival on October 14, 2023!
Scarborough Mazda
Sponsor
The Scarborough Mazda team have been essential supporters and sponsors for Wexford Blooms. They hosted our shipping container and sponsored the watering of our installations!
Well Grounded
Real Estate
Sponsor
Well Grounded Real Estate provides thoughtful and sustainable multi-residential and retail properties throughout Southern Ontario.
Well Grounded sponsored our Wexford Blooms Movie night on August 8, 2023!
Pho Metro
Sponsor
One of the most delicious Bahn Mi and Pho spots in the GTA, Pho Metro has been a big supporter of plazaPOPS! They have hosted community meetings and in 2023, sponsored the gardens at our hub site in the Wexford Heights Plaza.
Sahan Restaurant
Sponsor
This isn’t only the Somali restaurant in the city, it’s an essential community hub!
The Sahan Team has supported plazaPOPS by sharing their storage space, always providing tea to our Building Up Crew, and in 2023, they sponsored the gardens at our Tuk Tuk site in Colony Plaza.
Grow Better Gardens
Sponsor
Grow Better Gardens supported plazaPOPS by donating all the soil and mulch that helped transformed the parking lots into green oases!
Wexford Blooms Media Coverage
plazaPOPS’ return to Wexford Heights in 2023 was covered by local media, highlighting the positive impacts of trading parking spaces for people places!
2023: Wexford Blooms
Student corner: Reflections on participating in plazaPOPS at the University of Guelph
October 10, 2023
Ground Magazine
2023: Wexford Blooms
A Toronto strip mall parking lot is being converted into an outdoor movie theatre
July 30, 2023
BlogTO
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