About Us

The High Park Residents' Association (HPRA) has a catchment area that includes over 15,000 residents living in two distinct geographical areas bordering High Park.

Originally, the HPRA catchment was located east of the park, and is bounded by Parkside Drive, High Park Boulevard, Roncesvalles Avenue / Dundas West, and Bloor Street.

In 2009, the HPRA expanded to include the area north of the park, bounded by Clendenan Avenue, Humberside Avenue, Keele Street, and Bloor Street.

HPRA Catchment Area

Whether renting or owning, all residents within our catchment area are both welcome and encouraged to join their High Park Residents' Association.

The High Park Residents' Association is led by an elected Executive, comprised of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Chair
 Jeff Derksen

Jeff DerksenBorn and raised in Vancouver, Jeff credits the combination of his parents' sense of ethics and hard-working Kootenay and Prairie sensibilities as the inspiration for his community involvement.

Growing up in the birthplace of Greenpeace (1970) and the world's first global conference on human settlements (the United Nations Habitat I Conference; 1976) sparked Jeff's interest in solution building and peer/public service, which led to multi-year stints at Junior Achievement, and high school student council at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary.

As a young adult, initiatives included promoting concerts to stop old growth forest clearcutting around what has since become UNESCO's Clayoquot Sound Biosphere, and renting houses / acting as a non-profit caretaker landlord to those otherwise unable to find affordable housing after the world exposition (Expo '86) and later, the United Kingdom and China's announcement of Hong Kong's repatriation.

A growing love of graphic arts and logistics, combined with accounting courses at Langara College, led to development of self-taught computer skills and a position with Catelli, partner in Vancouver-based Umberto Menghi's Umbertino restaurant franchise, where Jeff progressed to the position of Controller.

In late 1987, Umbertino's uncertain future led to resignation in favour of co-founding and operating computer network systems integration / Original Equipment Manufacturing firm MarsCom, where as architect and delivery manager, Jeff designed and implemented affordable network accounting, fax, Internet connectivity, and remote polling solutions for small and regional businesses.

Amidst the Pacific Northwest's burgeoning do-it-yourself music movement in 1991, Jeff helped to found, operate, and later become Director of the GroundUp Music Corporation, a management agency / record label for independent performing artists such as Ngoma, Roots Roundup, and Loose.   Like-minded individuals in the region spawned Nettwerk (Sarah Mclachlan) and Sub Pop (Nirvana, Soundgarden).

After relocating to Toronto in 1998, Jeff accepted a project management position with IBM Global Services. Accomplishments ranged from the successful delivery of IBM's multi-million dollar Co-Location web-hosting infrastructure, to portfolio development and delivery oversight of Microsoft-centric service offerings as a National Program Manager.

A rebalancing of family, work, and community priorities played a major role in Jeff's decision to return to self-employment in 2005.

Now a real estate Broker with Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Jeff is fond of recounting his bachelor pad on Bedford Road and its large map of Toronto, which he used in an effort to locate the biggest park space and (arguably) best air in the city.

Happily resident in the High Park community since 1999 with wife Shelagh and son Russell, Jeff has served as Chair of the High Park Residents' Association since June of 2008.

Vice-Chair
Chris Ganowski

Chris Ganowski
Born in Poland, Chris moved to Canada with his parents at a young age. He has always been interested in community work and activism. After finishing high school, Chris studied Political Science at the University of Guelph. During his time at Guelph, he participated in campus student groups and represented the university at the 2004 Canadian International Model Union Nations (CANIMUN).

After completing his B.A. in Political Science, Chris spent a year teaching English abroad. Upon returning to Canada, he began working on his M.A. degree in European & Russian Studies (EURUS) at Carlton University in Ottawa. Chris was active in the academic life at Carlton University, and was one of the founding members of the EURUS Student Society (ESS). A student-run organization, the ESS was committed to enhancing the visibility of EURUS, engaging alumni, and organizing public events related to course work. During the course of his M.A. program, Chris travelled to Poland to conduct research for his thesis about Polish coal mining trade unions. He interviewed members of parliament, union leaders and university professors.

Since completing his M.A. degree, Chris has moved back to Toronto. He currently works at the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). He lives in the neighbourhood with his wife and enjoys cycling, cooking and heated debates about politics and international affairs.


Treasurer
Jilian Saweczko

Jilian SaweczkoJilian attended college in England to qualify as both a Certified and Chartered Secretary. She completed the Chartered Secretary professional qualifications shortly after arriving in Canada.

Since 1968, Jilian has been a Tupperware Consultant. In 1998, she was one of a small group of people who brought PPL Legal Care of Canada to Ontario & Canada.

Jilian has been living in the west end of Toronto since 1971 and has been an active member of the Conservative Party since the mid '70s.

Jilian is a leader in community affairs in Toronto and has fought for improvements in both the separate school system and in the community.

The many organizations she has served on include St. Christopher House, Parkdale Focus, Communities Against Drug Abuse, Parent Councils, St. Joan of Arc Catholic Women's League, Community Health Board for West Toronto, and the Toronto Food Policy Committee.

Jilian and her husband, Jiel Saweczko, have been married for over 40 years. Jiel is a Polish Canadian and Jilian is originally from Jamaica. They have five children and eight grand children.



Secretary
 Position currently open
If you are interested in applying for the Secretary position, please contact Jeff Derksen.

High Park Residents' Association (HPRA)