SUMMARY: MINUTES FOSS STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING - OCTOBER 28TH, 2019

Summary: FOSS Steering Committee Meeting
October 28th, 2019
6:34PM, LAMP, 185 5th Street, Etobicoke

PUMPKIN PARADE AT COLONEL SAM PARK: Friday, November 1. Drop-off begins 5:00PM onward. Pumpkin lighting 6:00-7:00PM. Location: the traffic circle next to the south parking lot. FOSS will compost all pumpkins afterward.

METAL SIGN NEAR YACHT CLUB: The original sign was stolen and later found (in pieces) in the water. The city has indicated that a new sign will be erected in a more secure location.

APPLE ORCHARD: FOSS is pursuing heritage status for Colonel Sam’s apple orchard as possible protection against future development.
NON NATIVE TREE PLANTINGS AT COLONEL SAM: TRCA plans to remove these plantings.

“GOINGS-ON” IN COLONEL SAM: Several structures/platforms have been erected in the trees to the east of North Creek. Smoke has been seen billowing out of the area creating a possible fire hazard. Concerned park users have reported individuals engaging in sex nearby. A mattress has already been removed. The builders appear to be young students. FOSS has notified Humber College as well as neighbourhood high schools. FOSS has submitted a report (complete with photos) to 311. FOSS urges concerned park users to do the same.

SHORELINE EROSION: The City plans to fix shoreline erosion and trail flooding problems in November. Smaller stones have already been placed as infill behind the larger rocks.

NEW BENCHES AND BRIDGE MAINTENANCE: Several new benches have been installed throughout Colonel Sam. The bridge near the yacht club has received new decking.

HOLIDAY MARKET AT HUMBER COLLEGE: DECEMBER 14, 10am to 3pm. Details to be announced. Watch blog for details.

ON-GOING CONCERNS:
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.

PUMPKIN PARADE - SAM SMITH PARK, NOVEMBER 1ST

"WOMEN'S WORK" - NEW EXHIBIT COMING TO HUMBER COLLEGE'S INTERPRETIVE CENTRE

RECENT HEADLINE : "NEARLY 3 BILLION BIRDS LOST IN OUR LIFETIME"

Scientists called the results "staggering": a net loss of almost 3 billion breeding birds in the U.S. and Canada since 1970, according to a new study in the journal Science. The across-the-board losses include many common, beloved species such as Dark-eyed Juncos and Red-winged Blackbirds. 

CLICK HERE to find out more about this massive decline and the causes behind it. 

This alarming study reminds us again of the importance of protecting and enhancing the natural environment, even in small pockets like Sam Smith Park, if we want our children and grandchildren to enjoy the presence of birds and other wildlife.

There are helpful actions that can also be taken around the house.

SAM SMITH BIRD WALK - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5TH