Summary: FOSS Steering Committee Meeting
October 20th, 2020
7:00, Via Zoom Video Conferencing
FOSS FACEBOOK RULES: FOSS honours the concept that Sam Smith Park is a nature sanctuary. FOSS rules state that there shall be no harassing/baiting of wildlife. As a result of recent unacceptable behaviour exhibited by some park visitors, FOSS will not be publicizing the sighting of birds and animals on its Facebook page. Existing unsuitable posts will be eliminated and FOSS’s rules will be enforced.
WHIMBREL POINT PLANTINGS: Along with two representatives from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), 15 FOSS volunteers (following strict COVID-19 rules) completed planting a variety of native trees, shrubs and flowering plants at Whimbrel Point. In a thank-you letter sent by FOSS, a request was made for the non-ticketing of volunteers’ vehicles at future events.
BIRD STRIKES: Birds have been killed after striking the windows of the Power House at Col. Sam. FOSS has organized a petition that asks the city to apply anti bird strike dotted film to the windows. City representatives have yet to respond.
CENOTAPH RE-LOCATION: The 8th Street Cenotaph will be located to Col. Sam Park. Please refer to the FOSS blog for photos and more information.
BIODIVERSITY INVENTORY: FOSS plans to conduct an inventory of the flora and fauna of the remaining forested area of Col. Sam in the spring of 2021. It is hoped that the knowledge gained will help counteract any threat to its future survival. FOSS suggests that this precious resource be called “The Wildwood” (located between the two schools, south of the footpath).
ON-GOING CONCERNS:
NATURE’S SANCTUARY PHOTO EXHIBIT: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the exhibit is tentatively re-scheduled for Fall 2021. A new date (when confirmed) will be posted on the FOSS blog and Facebook sites. Save your photos until then.
FACEBOOK POSTINGS OF COL. SAM PARK’S BIRD SIGHTINGS: Many FOSS Facebook followers have expressed concern about crowded conditions at Col. Sam. Many believe that posting bird sightings serves to encourage ever more visitors. Some visitors are apparently not practising “social distancing”. To alleviate such problems, FOSS encourages birders to post only their back yard counts.
NEW TORONTO HOLIDAY MARKET: FOSS has been asked to participate again in December 2020 (COVID-19 dependent). FOSS hopes to expand the activities on offer. Adults particularly enjoyed making Christmas “swags”. FOSS plans to make them available in 2020.
DRUG/GARBAGE/TREE PLATFORM 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.
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