SUMMARY: MINUTES FOSS STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING - JUNE 24TH, 2019

Summary: FOSS Steering Committee Meeting                                  

June 24th, 2019, 7:40PM, Private Residence, Etobicoke

NAMING COL. SAM’S ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AND NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS: The FOSS Steering Committee has finalized its 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. A map will soon be available. For more details, check the blog.

HERITAGE APPLE ORCHARD: FOSS has amassed past research about the apple orchard and is in the process of determining how these venerable trees may receive protection via a heritage designation.

COL. SAM’S IMPORTANCE AS A MIGRATION STOP: Steering Committee member, Terry Smith, is developing a map of the North and South American flyways that ties Col. Sam into the greater context of this annual avian journey.

CANOPY TENT: FOSS has purchased a sturdy “Alumix Canopy Tent” for use during events such as the Spring Bird Festival.

IN THE WAKE OF THE PASSENGER PIGEON: An exhibit held at the Humber College Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre, May 11 through September 25. Next event is scheduled for July 17^th. See link below for more details:

https://humber.ca/today/events/exhibit-wake-passenger-pigeon-54357

CONTINUING PARK CONCERNS:

COL. SAM’S UNLOCKED TRASH BINS: 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.

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:

https://fomac.000webhostapp.com/

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.