UPCOMING MEETINGS OF INTEREST

COMMUNITY UPDATE ON PROPOSED SKATEBOARD PARK
Thursday, November 5th
7.30 p.m.
Lakeshore Collegiate Institute
Cafeteria

PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING
ETOBICOKE WATERFRONT STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Go to City's web site for more information on this project
Thursday, November 12th
7.00 p.m.
Assembly Hall

NOV 19 - FOSS SPEAKER EVENT - "URBAN WIILDLIDE AND HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS"

Mark this in your calendar ......
Thursday, Nov. 19th., 7 p.m., Assembly Hall - North Room

Dave Taylor from the Riverwood Conservancy in Mississauga will talk about his organization’s efforts to save and enhance wildlife habitat in an urban setting and their goal to stimulate public awareness by providing educational programs and stewardship activities to the community.
Free. Everyone welcome.

COLONEL SAM SMITH DOG WALKERS ASSOCIATION

Check out this organization's website for the latest on the City's off-leash policy for parks and this group's goal of having a dog walking area in the RL Clark Filtration Plant.

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

A message for all you wildlife photographers out in the park .......The Canadian Wildlife Federation is holding a photo contest. To enter, you need to join the CWF Photo Club, but membership is free.
There is also a kids' photo contest.
Check out the Canadian Wildlife Federation website for more info on this contest..

SKATING TRAIL CONSTRUCTION BEGINS.

It is very sad to see approximately 80% of the meadow chopped up , the same meadow that was fought so hard for a few years ago, that offered the promise through natural succession of maturing butterfly habitat and the progressive growth of more complex wildflower, shrub, tree and native grass colonies.

Let us hold the City to its promise that, after construction, a significant buffer between the cement of the skating trail and the adjacent, environmentally sensitive woodland, wetland and creek is established with appropriate space, plantings and berms.

I wonder how the soon-to-hibernate groundhog colony in the meadow is coping with all of this!

DUSK AND DAWN JOGGING/CYCLING ALERT!

"I found the protective fencing surrounding the building of the skating trail on the walking and cycling path. Just to let you know this is “an accident waiting to happen”!!! In the dark you cannot see the fence and as a cyclist I see someone doing a face plant or worse. Check it out yourself at 6 AM and you will see the fence just blends with the morning darkness."
FOSS member

HALLOWEEN'S COMING!

Don't forget the Charity Haunt at the
Power House
65 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive
Toronto Ontario
(Lake Shore & Kipling)

Power House Information Hotline:
416 338 1081

Further information available at http://charityhaunt.ca

FALL TREE AND SHRUB PLANTING

Many thanks to the 20 or so dedicated friends of Sam Smith, who braved the cold, rainy weather last weekend to participate in the City of Toronto's "Live Green Toronto" fall planting.

Along with a number of oak trees, many shrubs producing berries, were planted at the eastern end of the park.

In the years to come, these plants will help to attract even more songbirds to Sam Smith Park.

Photos: George Raikou

EASTERN PATH INTO THE PARK REPAIRED

The eastern path into Sam Smith Park, off Thirteenth St., has been repaired after a summer of heavy cloudbursts caused heavy erosion to the natural paths.

Many thanks to the Toronto Parks staff for their timely response to our request.

The many cyclists, mothers with strollers and disabled users of the park can now enjoy their smooth, natural path back into Sam Smith Park once again.

Photos: George Raikou

CCFEW OCTOBER BIRD WALK IN PARK

COME PLANT TREES AND SHRUBS IN THE PARK

GUARDIAN REPORTS ON SKATING TRAIL UNVEILING

Skating trail glides ahead in south Etobicoke

TAMARA SHEPHARD
September 24, 2009

Revised city plans to build a nearly $2-million ice skating trail in Colonel Samuel Smith Park drew quiet contemplation this week rather than contention.

Long-standing opponents had charged the plan is an intrusion on the lakefront retreat, an argument first raised in 2006 in a protracted battle against a controversial, now defunct, plan to build a skateboard park on the site.

But none of that was in evidence this week.

An open house unveiling by city staff Tuesday night of revised trail drawings moving the skating trail mostly out of the meadow drew few residents.

The revised city plans call for construction of a fully accessible 260-metre linear trail 4.6 metres wide in a figure eight configuration southwest of the park's Power House. Earlier plans, hotly contested by many residents, to build it north of the Power House where a woodlot is located, has since been abandoned.

"The end result works much better," Morteza Behrooz with PMA Landscape Architects said in an interview. "There's a tree planting plan for the whole area; a pond will be created. We'll be introducing new habitat to enhance the area's ecological value."

Project bids closed Sept. 11. The construction contract is expected to be awarded within a month.

"We're looking to break ground this year. We'll do the preparatory work. In spring, the job should be completed," said Daniel McLaughlin, project manager of construction operations, capital projects, with the city's parks, forestry and recreation department.

Recreational outdoor winter skating would begin in December 2010.

Resident Ian Bruce said he'd be lacing up his skates. He skates similar outdoor trails in Brampton, Scarborough, Harbourfront and on Ottawa's Rideau Canal.

"I think it's a nice concept. They made a good decision to abandon any plans to build it north of the Power House," Bruce said. "I have some concerns about conflicting uses with the natural environment, birds and wildlife, but I think this is the least damaging location."

Some residents questioned whether a community advisory group would be struck to plan the future vision of the lakeside park.

Fifteen months ago, Ward 6 Councillor Mark Grimes adamantly opposed Friends of Sam Smith Park (FOSS) membership on any committee. Grimes charged the group is "politically active" and said "nothing is going to happen there" if FOSS was involved.

A Grimes' staffer said Tuesday there is currently a moratorium on new parks' advisory committees while the city determines new terms and conditions that govern them.

"It's better than the original plan," former area councillor Irene Jones said of the new skating trail drawings. "Next, they need to plant the meadow and protect the trees in the park. The Power House needs a use. This is a good use."

But New Toronto Good Neighbours' founder Jem Cain isn't convinced.

Cain, who intends to run against Grimes again in the 2010 municipal election, argued the $2 million could be put to better community use.

"There are lots of other needs, repairs that need done to park equipment where hundreds of families would get the benefit year-round," Cain said. "There's also now free Saturday afternoon skates year-round at the new arena."

Earlier this month, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment officially opened its new MasterCard Centre for Hockey Equipment one kilometre north of the ice skating trail site on Kipling Avenue.

The new 30,000 sq. ft. Maple Leafs' and Toronto Marlies' practice arena is open to the community 250 hours a year, the result of MasterCard funding.

Community use hours include free family skates every Saturday; free open skates for students on professional development days, as well as free ice time from September to June for community groups.

SKATING TRAIL DESIGN SHOWN TO PUBLIC TODAY

These are the final design and computerized visualization of the skating trail presented to the public this evening at Father John Redmond. (Double click on images for larger scale). The design is very close to the concept sketch we were given before the summer and which can be found on this blog. Approximately 40% of the western section of the meadow will be lost to the trail. We were told that construction will start very soon and that the excavation and concrete forms will be completed before the end of December when construction will stop until resuming in April to finish the project. The lighting shines downwards and the music will come from speakers on the lamp posts, not broadcast from the Power House. We were told that the TRCA will furnish funds for planting and habitat restoration in the remainder of the meadow and in the woodlot north of the Power House. There is, as yet, no significant movement towards the establishment of the long-called-for Citizen's Management and Advisory Board for the Park.

SPEED SKATERS INTERESTED IN PROPOSED FAMILY SKATING TRAIL

Etobicoke Speed Skaters will be attending the September 22nd. meeting at Father John Redmond where the design for the skating trail will be presented at 6.30 p.m. Their obvious interest in using the trail for practice takes the original concept of family, recreational skating further than what was originally presented. It is important that this meeting be well attended.
Check out their blog.

COLONEL SAM SMITH DOG OWNERS' ASSOCIATION

You may want to check out this organization's blog.

CCFEW AUTUMN BIRD WALKS - Sun., Sept. 13 and Sat., Oct. 17

Sunday, September 13th 

9:00 - 11:00 am, Colonel Sam Smith Park
Leader: Glenn Coady
Meet in the south parking lot (where the road ends) at 9:00 am 

Saturday October 17th 

9:00 - 11:00 am, Colonel Sam Smith Park
Leader: Hugh Currie

Meet in the south parking lot (where the road ends) at 9:00 am

The walks are lead by experienced birders and are free for anyone who is interested in attending. Everyone is welcome! 

Walks are held rain,or shine!

CITY'S OFF-LEASH DOG PARK POLICY

Information Session: Off-Leash Dog Park Policy

Wednesday September 16

6:30pm-8:30pm

Mimico Centennial Library, 47 Station Rd.

Please visit http://www.markgrimes.ca/off-leash-dog-park-meeting/ for more details

REVISED SKATING TRAIL DESIGN TO BE UNVEILED SEPTEMBER 22ND

Open House: Colonel Sam Smith Skating Trail

Tuesday September 22

6:30pm-8:30pm

Father John Redmond Catholic Secondary School foyer, 28 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr.

The purpose of this meeting is to present the revised layout for the skating trail project. For more information please visit http://www.markgrimes.ca/skating-trail/

See previous FOSS post on the revised design

ROM EVENT - MIGRATING SONGBIRDS - OCT. 18

For the next month, 3 billion, miraculous, colorful songbirds are migrating through the city of Toronto on route to Latin America to spend the winter. They will stay there for 7 months and then head back north in the spring to the boreal forest - "Canada's songbird nursery of the north!" So keep your eyes peeled! At daybreak, they come down to rest and may be seen darting expertly among the foliage of your trees and shrubs in search of tasty insects. They are most likely Warblers. They move fast and can seem quite tiny. You may see some flashes of yellow which is a predominant color of many. They are refueling! By the time they reach Latin America, they will have flown approximately 5,000 km in the black of night!!
Please come out to this interesting event to learn more and to discover
what simple things you can do to help these miraculous migrants!
Miraculous Migrants:
Why Songbird Conservation Begins at Home!
Sunday, October 18, 1 - 3 pm
Please join Dr. Bridget Stutchbury of York University and Christina Sharma of Project CHIRP! at the Royal Ontario Museum for an informative and empowering talk on songbird conservation. Review present songbird population trends, causes and solutions, the miraculous feats of our migratory songbirds, and how to create songbird-friendly gardens. Discover how your choices as a consumer can protect critical songbird habitat.
Call 416-236-7234 for more information

MYSTERY MAMMAL CATCHES A FISH

Recently, one of our Sam Smith "on the spot" photographers forwarded a number of picks of our "mystery mammal" catching a fish.

Here are a few of the pictures for you to enjoy.

The hunt! The catch! The reward!!

STORM DESTRUCTION SURROUNDS SAM SMITH

Sam Smith Park was very lucky over the last three weeks to elude much of the tree damage that surrounding parks suffered.

At the end of July, Rotary Park, just to the east, endured major damage, which destroyed two trees and many downed branches.

This past weekend, Marie Curtis Park, just to the west, was featured on local Toronto newscasts, with six magnificent mature willow trees being knocked over and some damage to other tree's limbs.

Here are some views of the Marie Curtis willows, courtesy of George Raikou.

GOING BATTY

One of the interesting things to do at Sam Smith in the late evening on a night with a clear sky is to go out and watch the bats!

Bats are our friend and eat plenty of annoying insects which come out just before dark. One of the best places for viewing is near the eastern entrance at Thirteenth St.  Just stand beside the path as you come in look out to the north across the open field.  

You can easily spot them fluttering about silently as they swoop in a circle from tree to tree.

Photo courtesy George Raikou

GREBES EXPECTING AGAIN.

After the violent storms early in July, which wiped out the first nest and egg, our valiant grebes have shown some typical Sam Smith fortitude and rebuilt their watery abode.  There are at least 2 eggs currently, which were seen as of the end of July.

If all things go well, we can expect to see our first baby grebes sometime near the middle of August.

Additionally, the newest pair of grebes in the yacht basin are noisily mating and appear to be building a nest beside the orange buoy between the yachts and nest of our original pair.

With any luck we may be observing juvenile grebes well into September!

Photos courtesy of "snapnclk"

LEAVE IT TO BEAVERS

Angelicque James writes: "This evening my husband and I spotted three adult beavers, and 4 young beavers. We're not sure if it's all the same family, it seemed two young beavers hung around one very patient mama, and the other two hung around a very NOT patient mama. The male was seen on his own."

Here is some video of our beaver population provided by Angelicque;

Also, you can view some of Angelicque's other Sam Smith beaver videos;

Mama Beaver:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJHr4Pd-s0E 

Beaver Family:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7nfjjY1No4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYTpQetWGsU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJEZM36b5YQ

Thanks for these great peeks into Sam Smith beaver life!!

LAKESHORE MARDI GRAS - AUGUST 7-9

Next weekend, August 7th to 9th, the 6th Annual Lakeshore Mardi Gras will be held at Colonel Sam Smith Park.

There are many concerts and performers to see...here is a list, as well as a link to the website...

http://lakeshoremardigras.ca

Friday

Free Concert in the Park
Main Stage Colonel Samuel Smith Park
 
6:30 to 8:15 PM Two For The Show
START 8:30 PM Fiddelstix
 
Saturday
Noon - 1:45 PM Harvest Moon
2:00-3:45 PM Spider Jones & The Fabulous Web
4:00-5:45 PM Uptown Express
6:00-7:45 PM George Oliver & Gangbuster
START 8:30 PM Honeymoon Suite
   
Sunday
Noon - 1:45 PM The Homeless Band
2:00- 3:45 PM Diva Mom's & The Three Dad's
4:00-4:45 PM Freedom Train
START 5:00 PM Paul James Band