Well, that day came today.
Roped off, wearing chest waders and a life-jacket, the intrepid Alec, under the watchful eye of his dad and dog, ventured out on to the ice from the island and secured a line to the object.
Then, using an axe, Alec cut a channel through the ice for the shore crew to haul it ashore while they marked the timing of each heave on the line by, of course, singing sea shanties.
Done, finally!
A very good day.
It is important to note that only FOSS Facebook group members will be able to post their photographs and vote, so, if you are not a member already and you are a Facebook user, please take a few moments to sign up.
We are excited about this new project and look forward to seeing and sharing beautiful images of our special park and its wildlife during the winter season.
It gave them the opportunity to explain to curious park visitors the significance of that special spot, the best spot anywhere to observe the spring whimbrel migration, and to pass on the story behind the bench’s dedication plaque to Fred Bodsworth and his role in the fact that we can still see this beautiful bird and other passing shorebirds today.
Click here for a previous, more detailed, FOSS post on Fred.
Brian Keaveney
When you are at the park, check out our feeders to see what birds we attract. Please do not walk on the ice without skates.Summary: FOSS Steering Committee Meeting
November 23rd, 2020
7:00, Via Zoom Video Conferencing
FOSS PARK PEOPLE GRANT: FOSS applied for and received a grant from Park People that will enable FOSS to offer a variety of in-person and on-line activities for park visitors who appreciate all the joys of nature that Col. Sam has to offer. FOSS gratefully thanks Park People for their generous support.
Scheduling and organizing of activities have just begun. For updates, continue to follow the FOSS blog and Facebook page.
Proposed activities (subject to change) include:
Photo Contest: Participants will be invited to submit their photos to the FOSS Facebook site. Facebook friends will then vote to choose the winner. Prizes will be awarded. Photos must be taken in Col. Sam Park during the winter.
Guided Bird Walks
Winter Tree I.D. Walk
On-line Photography Presentation and slide show
On-line Winter Nature Crafts
On-line Live Feeder Watch (watch FOSS’s feeders at Col. Sam)
COVID-19 rules will be strictly enforced: guided walks limited to 10 participants (including the leader), physical distancing, wearing of face masks, etc.
REPAIR OF PLAQUE ON COMMEORATIVE BENCH AT WHIMBREL POINT: FOSS will repair the plaque dedicated to Fred Bodsworth, well-known Toronto birder/author (The Last of the Curlews).
WINTER BIRD FEEDERS: Once again, FOSS will erect and maintain winter bird feeders around the skating track. Thank you to the volunteers who faithfully maintain them.
PROTECTIVE WIRE CAGES AROUND PARK TREES: FOSS will send a thank you letter to the city.
REMOVAL OF TREES NEAR THE WATER TREATMENT FACILITY: TRCA and the city have been contacted about this matter. FOSS will follow-up and inform visitors of any new developments.
ON-GOING CONCERNS:
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.
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.
The City has started work on the site for the soon-to-be-relocated Cenotaph that currently stands outside the Legion on Eighth Street. The Legion property has been sold to a developer.
The Cenotaph will be placed on the north side of the Assembly Hall, right on Lake Shore Boulevard, just east of Kipling Avenue. Tree protection boxes have been installed to safeguard the adjacent trees. Councillor Grimes' office has told us "there will be a path from the cenotaph to the sidewalk along Lake Shore, ideally 2 flag poles, and likely benches. We are working with the Legion on this project, and will do what is necessary to establish the cenotaph in its new location."
Click here for more information.
