There was a time when summer was a time of slow news. I remember reporters prowling City Hall hallways at this time of year looking for something – anything – about which to write. Usually retiring to their offices without much success, readers would then be treated to typical summer articles on subjects such as smog days and heat alerts, plus the reliable standbys of crime and congestion.

 

For some reason this summer is different. There’s crankyness in the air. Local stories feature nothing but squabbling about everything from parks to perks, from taxes to taxis. So as a small antidote to all the negativity, I’ve collected a short list of summer activities that show real progress.

 

No summer is complete without a visit to the beach. Without much publicity, our beaches and swimming water are getting cleaner. In some places much cleaner.

 

The basic measure for Toronto’s water beach cleanliness is measured in the number of fecal bacteria found per milliliter of water.  Unlike the high numbers approved for swimming in the waters off the Riveria, Toronto Public Health has set our standard to a very low 100. At those levels lake water is clean enough to drink.

 

So far this year the number of beach closures due to polluted water has decreased. As the level of bacteria continues to decline, our beaches are staying open more often. Six of Toronto’s eleven public beaches have even been presented with the ‘blue flag’ award for safe, clean beaches.

 

Toronto has achieved these results by managing goose and pet populations near the water, and installing rainwater runoff systems that filter water before it gets into the Lake.

 

Another celebration of our summer is Caribana. Marred by questionable accounting, a dysfunctional board and sometimes the scene of violence, in years past Caribana went through a rough patch. The last three years has witnessed a remarkable renaissance. Under capable new stewardship, the organizers have attracted record levels of government and finally corporate sponsorship. Last year its audited statements even showed a profit.

 

Most importantly the festival can now focus on expanding its parade, events and the number of participants. The figures from 2006 estimated that record 1.2m visitors came for Caribana. Early numbers for 2007 indicate more visitors, and a healthy outlook. One police officer summed it up: “It was a good Caribana. We didn't have any significant incidents. People were just out having a great time."

 

And let’s not forget about the new summer Toronto tradition of large neighbourhood picnics or festivals. A few years ago our summers began with the CHIN picnic and ended with the CNE. There wasn’t much between. Now thoroughfares have turned into parties of up to a couple kilometers in length, from the Tastes of Danforth and Lawrence in the east, to the Taste of Kingsway filling Bloor St West.  There’s Jazz in the Beaches, art in Nathan Phillips Square, Buskerfest in St Lawrence Market and new music at the Parkdale Festival. The lists of activities free to residents covers every taste and engages residents and visitors alike.

 

Taken together our beaches, our festivals and progress in making our City a better place make our summers worth savouring.