Summary: FOSS Steering Committee Meeting
May
27th, 2019
7:07PM,
LAMP, 185 5th Street, Etobicoke
SPRING BIRD FESTIVAL: In spite of the
rainy weather, much was enjoyed and accomplished and the attendee numbers were
surprisingly good. Thanks to all the volunteers and the crew from the City of
Toronto who made the festival possible.
IN THE WAKE OF THE PASSENGER PIGEON: An
exhibit to be held at the Humber College Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre,
May 11 through September 25. See link below for more details:
UPDATED FOSS BLOG: FOSS’s blog is in the
process of being updated and will soon be capable of allowing a live feed on
both Facebook and Instagram. A new slide showing highlighting the natural
jewels of the park is also planned.
NAMING PARK ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AND
NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS: A June
deadline has been set for finalizing the FOSS mapping project assigning names
to significant areas of the park (such as the already-designated “Whimbrel
Point”) in order to provide consistency when communicating info about Col. Sam.
For more details, check the blog.
COL. SAM’S TRASH BIN CONCERNS: FOSS has
contacted the Park Superintendent re: unlocked trash can/trash spillage
concerns. The Superintendent has contacted the city’s solid waste management department
personnel who are responsible for such matters.
GREBE PLATFORMS: Four Red-necked Grebe nesting
platforms have now been installed by FOSS President Brian Keaveney and Mr. Joe
Calico (originator of the platforms) of the Yacht Club. All are now occupied.
SENIORS IN THE PARK WALKING PROGRAM: Col.
Sam’s neighbours from the Friends of Marie Curtis Park have started a walking
program for seniors. Interested individuals should check out their website at:
NORTH CREEK POLLINATOR MEADOW: FOSS is
working with the City of Toronto to design and plant a pollinator meadow in the
park. Students from Sir Sandford Fleming College (supervised by Janette Harvey,
City of Toronto) have completed a design for the garden and have offered
suggestions as to the nature of the plantings. Work began on May 2. See blog for details.
DRONE PROBLEMS IN COL. SAM: Drone
operators have aggressively buzzed both people and wildlife (swallows, owls,
grebes) in the park. Harassment of
wildlife is against the law. If you observe such harassment, contact the
Municipal Standards By-law Enforcement Officer responsible for Col Sam
Park—Gary Borges, Cell # 647 460-4270. Office # 416 338-5706 OR call 311, OR e-mail
311@toronto.ca,
OR contact Ward 3 Councillor Mark Grimes.
See blog for more detail.
BURDOCK REMOVAL: The TRCA plans to set up
a burdock eradication test site on Whimbrel Point.
OWL HARASSMENT: A few thoughtless
birders/photographers have been harassing Col. Sam’s owls of late. In addition
to disturbing the birds, these individuals tramp down trails and damage
vegetation. Caution: it is illegal to
harass wildlife.
PARKING LOT TICKETING BLITZ: The city has
recently been conducting parking ticket blitzes at Col. Sam. There is a two
hour parking limit for the south lot. Please report any parking problems to
311.
FOSS SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS: Check out
FOSS on both Instagram and Facebook. No personal Facebook account? You may
still view the contents, but you will be unable to post comments. Keep watch
for nature photos highlighting your park.
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. Any problems reported to 311 are
greatly strengthened when accompanied with a photo.
