Morning Brew: Underpass Park is open, Spadina line extension delayed, charges over Little Nicky's crash, Toronto Zoo names cubs, and Hippo Tours vamoose

Underpass Park, a community space under Eastern Avenue and Richmond/Adelaide overpasses that includes public artwork, sports equipment and a children's play area, was officially opened yesterday by members of three levels of government. Mayor Rob Ford couldn't resist the urge to test out the climbing frame and was filmed bouncing up and down to chants of "Go mayor, go mayor" by local kids. Earlier this week, Ford was filmed dancing at Yonge-Dundas Square for the Olympics. Is this start of a new, jollier era for the mayor?

The TTC says it isn't sure if it will meet the scheduled 2015 opening date for the Spadina line extension to York University. On October 11th last year a construction worker was killed in an accident at the site. The subsequent four-month investigation meant little work could be completed on the line.

The driver of the TTC bus that clipped two vehicles and struck the side of Little Nicky's Coffee on Peter Street late last month has been charged with running a red light and careless driving. Police and the TTC are not releasing the 55-year-old driver's name. The drivers of the vehicles, one of which was a taxi, and two bus passengers were treated for minor injuries.

Toronto Zoo has announced the names of its white lion cubs as chosen by the public in a vote. Lemon and Finton might have cute names but they've got some razor sharp teeth and some scratchy claws too. Can you think of more appropriate names for the pair?

Toronto's amphibious Hippo Tours busses have fled for the pacific. According to Torontoist, the bright blue and yellow tour vehicles moved to Victoria, B.C. following a dispute with Ontario Place over "the sex life of the carp" at the buses' launch ramp.

Finally, are you looking for journalism work? Not encumbered by things like "education" and "experience" in your pursuit for the truth? Sun Media is conscripting you.

IN OTHER NEWS:

• Blue Jays drop 5th straight to begin Oakland series [CBC]
• Alleged Eaton Centre killer had firearms offences dropped in Hamilton weeks earlier [The Star]
• Crash sends Audi plummeting into construction ditch at Front and York in Toronto [The Star]
• Wellesley Street: Councillor and residents demand premier cancel land sale [The Star]

Photo: "Going Home on the Gardiner" by suzanne_williams in the blogTO Flickr pool.