Beach BIA - It's better in the BEACH

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58% select - The Beach - for street signs
Three-quarters of those who selected The Beaches want signs anyway

Beach area residents have spoken!

Of more than 2,200 votes cast, 58 per cent say they would like to have The Beach on street signs on the two plus kilometre expanse of Queen Street East from Lockwood Avenue to Neville Park. Residents voted by telephone, internet, or by casting a ballot at either the Beaches Branch or Main Street Branch of the Toronto Public Library. Of the people who voted for The Beaches, 75 per cent said they would still like to see historic signs go up, even if they say The Beach.

"We want to thank the residents for voting in such great numbers and showing us they care so strongly about their neighbourhood. From the responses we gathered, it's evident they are pleased and proud to live, work and shop in this community," said Neil Macdonald, Chair of the Beaches BIA.

"We will continue to be the Beaches BIA, in the Beaches East York riding, and will enjoy our many Beach and Beaches-named establishments. And, of course, we'll continue to welcome visitors to Ontario's best "main street" regardless of whether they call us The Beach, or The Beaches."

Street signs, one of many improvements
Street signs are just one of the many urban design improvements that the Beaches BIA has planned for this year. In early summer, the BIA will be planting flowers in the boxes surrounding the trees and in new terra cotta planters along the street and will also unveil street banners designed by Beach artists.

Working together with many local organizations, the Beaches BIA will be welcoming thousands of visitors to the area over the summer and fall for a multitude of events such as the Victoria Day fireworks, Beaches International Jazz Festival, Doors Open Toronto tours of the Beach, Yard Sale for the Cure, Canada Day Celebrations, Midnight Madness and more. Even when there are no events, the Beaches - or Beach - is the place to be.

Signs: when and what
At the earliest, the street signs would go up in the fall since the City is currently reviewing the overall designs for all new street signs.
The signs would identify the overall Beach or Beaches neighbourhood as well as the four historic beaches within the area - Woodbine Beach, Balmy Beach, Kew Beach and Scarboro Beach.

These are initial artist's concepts only.