Metrolinx wants to devastate nearby park.

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Metrolinx loves clearcutting. Their zeal in removing vegetation along rail corridors and ravines is well documented. They also want to chop down several century-old trees downtown on the Osgoode Hall grounds in spite of huge objections and seemingly better alternatives. Apparently Metrolinx knows better than the little people. This is the organization that is two years late in finishing the Eglinton Crosstown Line. Not only that but Metrolinx cannot provide an estimate of when the line will finally open – after more than eleven years of continuing disruption. Closer to home, Metrolinx is up to no good again and this time, they wish to clear-cut a large section of Fergy Brown and Emmet Parks and Ukrainian Canadian Memorial Park (adjoining Raymore Park).

The issue is that the Eglinton Line West Extension to Pearson Airport will be above ground and will parallel Eglinton Avenue and cross the Humber using a 1.5 km elevated track. Vegetation beneath the track will be cut back to avoid shorting out the high-voltage overhead cables that provide the power. Unlike the rest of the line, Metrolinx claims that this section has to be built above ground because they say it’s too expensive to go underground and under the Humber. Instead, an elevated LRT expressway-style bridge will be twinned with the existing road bridge and the precious parkland beneath and its wildlife will be razed. Parkland is far too precious to be destroyed in this manner and future generations will wonder about the barbarians who could do this to our diminishing wildlife and precious tree canopy.

The location of the proposed 1.5 km overhead rail line that will run north of and parallel to Eglinton. From Google maps. Click to enlarge.

Stop the Trains in our Parks is a group of concerned citizens who are fighting this proposal and will be demonstrating outside local MPP Mike Ford‘s office at 1832 Weston Road (350m south of Lawrence) on Thursday, December 15th at 2:00 p.m. They invite all who are concerned about the devastation this line will cause to our local parks to lend support through their presence and/or contacting Mr. Ford.

For more information contact STOP at mailto:stopthetrainsinourparks@gmail.com

Humber Creek Culvert Update

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I am slightly more nimble now and was able to clamber down to the riverbed to take these shots. Water levels are quite low thanks to a lack of rain this summer. Despite that, the newly planted trees are thriving so someone has been keeping them watered.

Looking west under the Humber Trail and Scarlett Road. Click to enlarge.

The culvert seems very sturdy and looks way better than the previous galvanized edition. It should be good for a hundred years or more.

A pair of cyclists ride over the culvert on the Humber Trail. Click to enlarge.

Because of the culvert’s construction, the Humber Trail has been blocked for a year resulting in a huge drop in cyclists and walkers but should open next week along with the two closed lanes of Scarlett Road.

Humber Creek culvert nears completion.

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The culvert work under Scarlett road that brings Humber Creek to the Humber River is almost complete. I was able to get a look at it the other day and the eastern side is ready.

Through the trees…

The old culvert was quite something:

The old culvert during previous sewer repairs in April 2016.

The old outlet was a good couple of metres above the creek which made for a spectacular and powerful jet of water after rainstorms. A deep pool formed as a result. Unfortunately, the height of the culvert made passage along the creek quite difficult for wildlife. The new lower bed has created a corridor that will link Raymore and Chapmen Valley Parks and lower the risk of deer and other animals running across Scarlett Road.

The soon to be linked Chapman Valley and Raymore Parks – From Google.

In addition to linking the parks, the terracing around the culvert has been landscaped. The other side of the culvert is supposed to be completed by this July or August.

Raymore Park clean-up this Sunday.

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On Sunday April 24, there will be a park clean-up organized by Brian MacLean who is also leading a campaign to set up a permanent memorial to the Hurricane Hazel victims, many of whom perished in a community now occupied by Raymore Park.

Please meet by the pedestrian bridge across the Humber between Raymore and Lions parks at 10:00 a.m. Note – the Raymore parking lot is closed to traffic. There is street parking on Tilden Crescent or the Lions Park lot is open – it’s a short walk from there to the footbridge that crosses into Raymore.

Area Map – from Google. Click to enlarge.

For more information contact Brian MacLean at EtobicokeCommunityFutures@gmail.com

‘The Humber’ condos take shape by Raymore Park

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This building under construction at 10 Wilby Crescent on the eastern side of the Humber is by Options For Homes and is expected to be ready for occupancy by next year. Residents on the south-west side will have views looking down the Humber Valley and a rooftop patio is planned for the seventh floor which is on the right where the tower rises above the podium. There is a promise of direct access from the building to the Pan Am Trail leading to Lake Ontario or points north.

The Humber under construction today at 10 Wilby Crescent.

Here’s OFH’s YouTube video on the area’s natural surroundings with Raymore Park in a starring role.

Currently the river is almost completely covered by ice which is thickening rapidly in this frigid weather. There should be some spectacular ice floes when the weather turns milder but no sign of that in the next two weeks at least.

The path has now been plowed down to the dam as part of the Park Path Project.

A crisp day and a plowed path to walk on in Raymore Park.

Deep snow hits Raymore Park

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After a 32 cm snowfall on Monday, Winter Park Path Project crews ran into trouble trying to clear and grit the parking lot on Tuesday. This truck with plow attached hopped over a hidden curb and came to rest against a light pole. Extracting the truck, leaving the light pole standing will be a precision job.

Looking south from the parking lot.

As is usual after a heavy snowfall, paths are formed by the first people to come along and a path has been carved through the wild area. The regular bike path to the dog off leash area is untouched.

Looking south towards the DOLA.

Winter park path project

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The Toronto and Regional Conservation Authority has strict rules about salting pathways near water courses. Each winter, huge amounts of salt drain into our rivers and streams and toxic levels are routinely measured. As a result, the salting of pathways close to the Humber is not permitted. This makes for slippery journeys for the many people who rely on park pathways to get from A to B.

The City of Toronto’s Parks division is piloting a park path clearance project in our area. This winter, plows are clearing paths from Mallaby Park, through Cruickshank to the Raymore Park off-leash area then continuing from the Humber Creek culvert construction to James Gardens. After plowing, instead of salt, a black grit is being spread to assist with traction. Based on personal experience, it appears to work.

Let’s hope that when spring arrives, the grit will be hoovered up and recycled.

UPDATE: Parks supervisor Shane Rajapakse tells me that the grit is called LavaGrip and it’s being evaluated by the Parks people as well as TRCA. A report on its effectiveness will be sent to Toronto Council later this year. Apparently it is pet safe and made from small particles of actual lava from an extinct volcano in Quebec and it is supposed to break down at the end of the Winter.

Cleanup reveals alarming micro-plastics

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After what seemed like an age, remediation work to restore grass to its original condition was under way a couple of weeks ago. Some of the work seemed unnecessary as the grass had re-grown quite nicely. Other areas definitely needed work.

Ground is taped off ready for the mulch / seed mix.

Not much remediation needed here but work was done regardless.

Yesterday, while out on a Raymore Park clean-up with members of the Sukyo Mahikari Church on Scarlett Road, we noticed that the mulch seed mixture was heavily contaminated with micro-plastic particles.

The mulch seed mixture as it was laid.

The mixture is contaminated with small plastic particles.

I’m not sure what level of such plastic is permitted (if any) but this is a danger to birds and other animals who no doubt have already scavenged through the mulch and ingested some of the particles. In hindsight, with this level of contamination, surely its preferable to allow nature to fill in the grass naturally than to contaminate the ground with easily ingestible pieces of plastic.

This looked like a contract job done under tender for the city. Remember the mantra that the private sector always does things better and cheaper?

This definitely wasn’t done better and I’ll bet it wasn’t cheaper either.

Raymore Park Cleanup this Sunday

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Toronto Bell Cote Church at 691 Scarlett Road.

Another clean-up is being organized for Raymore Park – this time it’s by the Toronto Bell Cote Heritage Preservation people. They have the beautifully restored church at Kingdom and Scarlett Road.

The event will begin at 1:00 pm on Sunday, June 30th at which time light refreshments will be served. At 1:30 pm, the clean-up will begin, focussing on the riverbanks. Their route map will take them down to Eglinton which seems ambitious. Garbage bags will be provided but participants are asked to bring comfortable shoes and gloves.

  • Meeting Place: 691 Scarlett Road
  • Date: Sunday June 30.
  • Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.