ABOUT DURAND

The Durand Neighbourhood is an inner-city district bounded by Main Street West, James Street South, the Escarpment and Queen Street South, with a population of approximately 12,000.

The Durand Neighbourhood Association Inc. is a politically independent community organization, chartered as a not-for-profit provincial corporation. It is financially self-supporting through annual membership dues and (non-charitable) contributions.

VISION

The Association is an active, resident-based voice that successfully addresses priority issues affecting our neighbourhood to nurture a vibrant downtown community.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

• Have a total paid membership that represents 10% of the Durand population by January 1, 2009;
  
  
• Ensure that the DNA's position on priority issues are formulated & communicated effectively to members,
  residents, media and appropriate decision makers through each of the next 3 years;
  
  
• Establish and communicate detailed positions on Diversity, Education, Environment, Safety & Health, Transit & Traffic, and Urban Design through each of the next 3 years;
  
  
• Organize a special event and promote positive stories within and about the Durand within the next 18 months (by July 2007).

ACTIVITIES

The Association played a significant role in keeping open and renovating Central Public School, the oldest graded school in Ontario, when threatened with closure. It has co-operated with developers in the design and location of proposed housing and commercial projects but has also intervened to prevent unsuitable developments, including a shopping plaza in the residential heart of the Neighbourhood. It has been instrumental in the establishment of two Heritage Districts, sponsored a study recommending the Neighbourhood's alleys become an attractive walkway system and was instrumental in organization of a Neighbourhood Watch.

The Association was instrumental in the creation of Durand Park (located west of Park Street between Charlton and Herkimer), the first public green space in the interior of this densely-populated, inner-city neighbourhood. It helped finance an accessible children's playground, installation of a drinking fountain and campaigned for better lighting to improve safety. Activities, organized in the park by the Association, have included fireworks, Canada Day celebrations, concerts, bazaars and skating parties.

OFFICERS 2009-2010

President: Sarah Matthews

Vice-President: Nicholas Kevlahan

Treasurer: Martin Maretzki

Secretary:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2009-2010

Dennis Baker, Janice Brown, Sonja de Pauw, Adam Ellis, Roberta Harman, Nicholas Kevlahan, Martin Maretzki, Sarah Matthews,  Linda Miocinovich, Claudia Sheldrick