Home is where-ever Family is

Martha Eaton Way's beautiful high-rise buildings has been my home for the last 10 years of living in Toronto.The residential buildings, built in 1979, used to be condominiums until they were turned into apartment rentals for leasing. The buildings, which are numbered from 10,15 and 25 (the one I snapped the picture from) are located by Tretheway drive and Black Creek road, between Eglinton Ave West and Lawrence Ave west in North York, Ontario. All three of these buildings have 23 floor counts with 318 room units, a 3 basement floor and 4 modern elevators. This, now peaceful neighborhood,was once a violent playground for the a community gang group called "Trethewey Gangsta Killaz" and was engulfed with frequent drug trades amongst the locals. But in recent years, thanks to the corporation between the division 12 police station, also located in the area and members of the community, the crime rate has dropped dramatically.

Local Attractions

If you like taking hikes' (like me :D), the Trethewey Park Wetland, which homes some Canadian blue jay bird, is an ideal place to take a walk. For most people though, the Tim Horton's in the community plaza attracts even more attention. Being a working and a family community, people depend on their coffee for morning energy and their morning affordable breakfast. (Their icy drinks also comes in handy during hotter than normal summers)

Local Issues

(I do not take credit for this image.It was borrowed from Google Images because it thought the picture was funny and went well with the contents typed)

Aside from the long elevator waits,loud neighbors with their loud pets (can be lovable at times) or random electricity shut downs at night,there aren't any issues at hand. As a matter of fact, I don't even think long elevator and power shut downs (even though its annoying if you're in the middle of cooking), should be considered as an issue. 

*looking back at the image thinking to self* "I wonder what she's jumping from?"

Current News

     

( I do not take credit for this image. Once again, it was borrowed through Google images from a tribute blog dedicated to her memory)

 In Toronto news, the star reported in 2010, that a group of young men from the Martha Eaton Way community were arrested in connection to the murder of 15 year-old Jane Creba (May Her Soul Continue To Rest In Perfect Peace). She was a grade 10 student from Riverdale Collegiate Institute, who unfortunately lost her life in a random gun fire exchange between the young men, on boxing day December 26 of 2005. The tragic incident, as I recall, rose a lot of community meetings to discuss the growing numbers of gangs in our mist, and that lead to community activities in attempt to keep the kids occupied with after school programs and away from gang influences. A positive outcome of the community action, which I think no one considered or might have noticed, is also the closeness it has created between neighbors.

Profiling Local Person

 <- (Look at this awesome view Before&After reading)......Speaking to a local young fellow, whom I've had the pleasure of knowing for 10 years named Chris T. about the neighborhood, the 27 year old male, who has been leaving at the residence for more than two decades (who didn't want his picture taken) said, "the place isn't as bad as people make it seems.I like it for me and my family, we've been here since I was a youth and I've never got into any conflicts with no body, so I guess it's the company you keep". Chris lives in the building with his mother and two sisters from Jamaica, says "My sister knows better than to walk into my home with drama from outside and my mother indulges in her bible, so we keep to ourselves".   When I asked Chris what some of his best memories of the neighborhood was, he replied saying, "The best memory will have to be when the recreation center downstairs was open to everyone in the community. Back then kids knew exactly where to go after doing homework and I personally remember rushing through some homework back in the days just to catch up with my friends at it's indoor pool. sometimes I wish they could open it again,so the kids can have some place to hang till their eyes start to burns" (laughs).

Local Resources

  Looking for resources available in the community, people can visit the local police station, across the street from Tim Hortons or the Maple Creek Recreation Center, located inside 10 Martha Eaton Way (picture blow).

I too do recall being a member of this recreation center growing up with my older brother, just like Chris. I must admit that I miss it too and wish they had given us, children then, an explanation as to why they closed it from the 15 and 25 public before making it accessible only to the 10th building residents. Especially after paying $50 for key passes!!!

HOME SWEET HOME

 

Anyways , this is my neighborhood. It may not be a wealthy man's first choice for a living, but it's certainly better than any big ole empty fancy house, because the place is full of life and rich in culture.

 (still think being rich would be fun though :D).

BTW-The awesome-est part, aside from the cool view of the CN tower in downtown (in the far end); on cloudy days, living on a high floor inspires a picture like the one you're looking at. If you appreciate nature's simple beauties then Martha should be your home.