Participatory Budgeting- Submit Your Ideas!

We are excited to introduce PB to the residents of Willowdale, giving them the opportunity to decide how City funds are allocated for capital improvements in our community.

Tentative PB Neighbourhoods:

2024 PB SERIES 1 - Newtonbrook West/Willowdale West

2025 PB SERIES 2 - West Lansing/Avondale

2026 PB SERIES 3 - Willowdale East/Newtonbrook East

Potential Ideas:

Park Benches

Park Lighting

Pollinator Gardens

Adult Fitness Equipment

Ping-Pong Tables and more!

Your ideas could become a reality! Each idea will be reviewed by City staff for feasibility and cost analysis. Then, everyone will vote on how the funding is allocated!

We are grateful for the support of Councillors Carroll and Moise who have successfully implemented PB in their respective wards.

Here is a tentative timeline for our Participatory Budgeting journey with both in-person and online engagement sessions.

Participatory Budgeting Process: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can participate? The Participatory Budgeting process is open to all Willowdale Ward 18 residents aged 14 and older. Our ward is divided into 6 neighbourhoods: Willowdale East, Willowdale West, Newtonbrook East, Newtonbrook West, West Lansing, and Avondale. Each year, we will be conducting Participatory Budgeting for two neighbourhoods. In 2024, it's Willowdale West and Newtonbrook West. Residents in these areas can submit, comment/brainstorm, and vote for ideas.
2. How do I participate? Our PB process is divided into 7 phases, as shown in the timeline infographic on this page. Each phase will have events across the neighbourhoods, each with its specific mode of participation, which could be in-person, online, or hybrid. Please note that all online engagement will occur through our dedicated community engagement portal called Willowdale Action Hub. Please ensure to sign up on this portal and follow the Participatory Budgeting folder for latest updates. To increase the likelihood of your project idea moving forward in the PB process, we encourage you to take ownership of your idea by becoming an in-person Project Champion. When submitting your idea online, please indicate your willingness to serve as a Project Champion in the comment section to ensure your idea has a better chance to be considered in the PB process. Who is a Project Champion? A Project Champion is a participant who submits an idea through the Participatory Budgeting (PB) process and collaborates closely with Councillor Cheng's staff to turn their idea into reality from start to finish. One of the key responsibilities of a Project Champion is to mobilize their idea in their community to gather maximum support.
3. What types of projects can be funded? The funding source for the participatory budget (PB) process is either Section 37 or 42. PB projects are to be new amenity and not state-of-good repair. Participatory Budgeting funds can only be used for capital improvement projects, which involve physical, tangible, durable, and lasting new infrastructure. State of Good Repair projects, maintenance activities, programs, service enhancements, and new services are not included within this scope. Only capital projects can be funded including, but not limited to: Park improvements (Outdoor fitness equipment, lighting etc.), Playgrounds (Ping-Pong tables etc.), Street furniture (Benches, Seating Stones, Shade Structures etc.), Tree Planters, Pollinator gardens, Sports facilities and more!
4. How do I vote? Voting will take place in person at various locations across our Participatory Budgeting (PB) neighbourhoods. To ensure maximum participation, we will host multiple voting days, offering flexibility for community members. Please note that only residents of the specific PB neighbourhoods will be eligible to vote.
5. How will you announce the results? We will announce the results on Willowdale Action Hub, on social media and through our email newsletter.

Click on the link to watch our Participatory Budgeting Information Webinar: https://bit.ly/WillowdalePBwebinar

Click on the link to view the Participatory Budgeting Information Webinar Slide Deck: https://bit.ly/PBWebinarSlideDeck

If you have any questions, feedback or concerns, please feel free to share it in the 'Ask Your Questions' folder on this page.

If you have any ideas for Willowdale Participatory Budgeting , please share them in the 'Share Your Ideas' section for your neighbourhood on this page.

You will need to SIGN UP on Willowdale Action Hub to submit your comment.

Click here to Sign Up Now!

Other neighborhoods will be covered in 2025 and 2026, but you can still submit your ideas in the respective PB folders for the neighbourhood where you reside.