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Thursday, March 8, 2018

SUMMARY: MINUTES FOSS STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING, FEBRUARY 26TH, 2018



Summary: FOSS Steering Committee Meeting                                         
FEBRUARY 26, 2018
7:07PM, LAMP, 185 5th Street, Etobicoke

COLONEL SAM SMITH ANNUAL CLEAN-UP DAY: SUNDAY, APRIL 15. Alan Roy, Organizer.

SPRING BIRD FESTIVAL: MAY 26, 2018. Check the blog for details. Sponsors and volunteers enthusiastically requested.

BY-LAW OFFICER INFORMATION SESSION: FOSS thanks by-law officer Gary Borges for his most informative session regarding the enforcement of by-laws in Toronto parks.

At any given time, there are only 10 enforcement officers available to respond to calls in Toronto’s approximately 1700 parks.

Beginning May 24 (tentatively), officer hours will be extended to 3:00AM; otherwise, they are on-call between 7:00AM and 3:00PM, Saturday-Wednesday.

 Calls/e-mails to 311 (attach photos whenever possible) are needed for the city to respond to complaints and to justify enforcement blitzes.

Off-leash dog reports are the #1 complaint ($360 fine). Commercial dog walkers (as well as the dogs in their care) must be licensed. Dog walkers must also have $2 million liability insurance. The maximum number of dogs allowed per walker is 6.

Any organized sport/activity must be licensed.

There is a $360 fine for fishing in a prohibited (i.e. unsigned) area.

2018 FOSS PHOTO EXHIBIT: Opening reception: October 11. Photos will be displayed through November 9. Check the blog for updates.
FOSS WINTER BIRD FEEDER PROJECT: 7 individuals, with additional help from the Lakeshore Scouts, enthusiastically maintain 6 seed and 6 suet feeders alongside the Col. Sam skating path. FOSS thanks the Urban Nature Store for its generous support. Thanks also to park supporter Bruce Wilkinson for his devotion to the park and its birds.

POND LOOKOUT PLATFORM GRATE PROBLEMS: FOSS has been informed that wheel chairs have become stuck in the decking grates--posing a safety hazard. FOSS has informed city authorities about this problem. A city representative plans to meet with a wheel chair user to obtain feedback that will lead to a solution to the problem.

SALT ON PARK PATHS: FOSS is concerned about the excessive amount of salt that has been spread to keep cycling paths open. High accumulations of salt are a danger to both the lake (the source of Toronto’s drinking water) and the nearby wetlands. FOSS has contacted park management about this matter. No reply as yet received.
FOSS SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS: Check out FOSS on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. No personal Facebook account? You may still view the contents, but you will be unable to post comments.
ASSEMBLY HALL CULTURAL DAYS, FALL 2018: FOSS volunteers will lead nature photography sessions in Colonel Sam Park and facilitate children’s bird feeder and bird nesting material projects. Check the blog for updates.

DRUG/GARBAGE PROBLEMS AT COL. SAM: Discarded drug paraphernalia and litter are on-going detriments in the park, particularly in the North Creek area. Visitors are asked to notify the police at 416 808-2200 for drug infractions and 311 for trash build-up.

Trash problems may also be reported to cleanandbeautiful@toronto.ca

TWO-HOUR PARKING LIMIT ON SOUTH LOT AT COLONEL SAM: Vehicles are being marked and fines are being issued.
                                                                                        
        Sandra Hawkins, Secretary                                                                                                                                                          

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