City of Toronto and Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation announce W. Garfield Weston Foundation donation for Riverdale Farm

TORONTO, Feb. 18, 2013 /CNW/ - Councillor Norm Kelly (Ward 40 Scarborough-Agincourt), Chair of Toronto's Parks and Environment Committee, and Andrew Sorbara, Vice-Chair of the Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation, today announced that the W. Garfield Weston Foundation is donating $25,000 for Riverdale Farm. The City-operated farm is located at 201 Winchester St. in Ward 28. Councillor Pam McConnell (Ward 28 Toronto Centre-Rosedale) was also present for the announcement.

"On behalf of the farm animals in the care of City staff at Riverdale Farm, I would like to thank the W. Garfield Weston Foundation for its donation," said Councillor Kelly. "Riverdale Farm, an example of a 19^th-century Ontario farm right here in downtown Toronto, is visited annually by thousands of people from across the city and beyond - who thank you as well."

"Riverdale Farm is a beloved jewel that offers Torontonians and visitors of all ages the rare opportunity to experience a working farm in the centre of the city," said Councillor McConnell. "This donation, along with the generous giving from the last year and into the future, will help us continue to operate and enhance this exceptional rural oasis."

The W. Garfield Weston Foundation was established in the 1950s to benefit Canadians in Canada. Currently the foundation supports organizations in the fields of education, conservation and science in Canada's North. Today, the family's business includes the Weston baking company and Loblaw Companies Limited.

Riverdale Farm was selected by the W. Garfield Weston Foundation's board members as an important initiative they wanted to support. "The trustees were impressed by the farm's dedication to the community, education and animal care," said Eliza Mitchell, Director. "I am delighted that this donation will be used by the newly formed Riverdale Farm Stewardship group to leverage support in matching funds."

The Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation receives donations to support City parks projects, and chose Riverdale Farm as the recipient of this donation. The contribution will support the newly formed Riverdale Farm Stewardship Group's fundraising efforts to achieve long-term stability for Riverdale Farm.

"We are confident that this donation will go a long way toward building a sustainable funding base for this important community resource," said Cynthia MacDougall, Chair of Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation. "We thank the W. Garfield Weston Foundation for this generous support."

Information about how to support Riverdale Farm is available at http://www.torontoparksandtrees.org/riverdale-farm.

Information about Riverdale Farm itself is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/featured-parks/riverdale-farm/.

The Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation is a charitable public foundation dedicated to enhancing Toronto's green spaces. It promotes and supports philanthropy, seeking and accepting donations, corporate sponsorship and community involvement to enhance Toronto's parks and urban forest. For information about the Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation initiatives, call 416-397-5178 or visit http://www.torontoparksandtrees.org.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.7 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

SOURCE: City of Toronto

Media contacts: 
Trena Cesario, Business Development Officer, City of Toronto, 416-338-6792, 416-797-8261 (cell), [email protected]
Andrew Sorbara, Vice Chair, Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation, 416-803-8648, [email protected]