Calendar of Events
The Taylor Massey Project
Now in our thirteenth year, the TMP
and our partners have staged 86 events, through 2013, involving
4,799 participants who have planted 4,485 trees and shrubs and picked
up over 1,685 bags of litter, as well as hundreds of items too large
for bags, including tires, TVs, a couch, and a kitchen sink.
Upcoming
Activities
Fall 2015 Focus on Organizational Renewal and the City’s Ravine
Strategy
The Taylor Massy Project, presentation from Janet Klees
6:30 pm Wednesday, September 16, Albert Campbell Library, 496 Birchmount
Rd
A presentation on the enjoyment, protection, and restoration of
the Taylor Massey Creek and its watershed. Learn more about the
Taylor Massey Project and how they are working to protect and beautify
the watercourse
Understanding Toronto’s Ravines:
Their Challenges and the Need for the City’s Ravine Strategy
10 am – 11:30, Saturday September 26, through Warden
Woods
-and-
10 am – 11:30, Sunday October 11
This popular hike, delivered numerous times over the last few years,
serves as a walking tutorial of the challenges of Toronto’s
ravine system and the need for an over-arching ravine strategy.
Hike a lovely trail between steep slopes with mature forests, abundant
bird life, and the location where Taylor Massey Creek originally
met ancient Lake Iroquois. See towering glacial sand deposits near
the northern entrance to the park, along with numerous areas with
erosion or other stewardship challenges, such as invasive species
and where a Combined Sewer enters the Creek. This hike offers an
understanding of the impact of past development practices, emergency
erosion repairs, and the challenges facing the City emerging Ravine
Strategy.
Meet at the corner of Warden and St Clair. Rain or shine.
Updates for 2014 and this past spring need to be uploaded,
but the summaries below cover our events through 2013.
Spring, 2013
Saturday, April 27: 10 - 11:30 am - 7th Annual Warden Woods
Clean-up
This event is once again being led by the Clairlea
Regent Heights Neighbourhood Association, with support
from Hope Community Church,
A Rocha Canada, and
the City of Toronto.
Meet at the parking lot off of Pharmacy, about 600 m north of the
Danforth. Gloves provided but bring them if you have them. Sturdy
footgear and weather-appropriate clothing recommended. Please note
there are no washrooms in Warden Woods.
Saturday, May 10: 1 - 3 pm - 19th Annual Clean-up at Farlinger
Ravine
The local Creek Crew, led by Janet, Harry, and neighbours, are
at it again for what we think is Toronto’s oldest continuous
ravine clean-up. Meet at the end of Miniot Circle, or come in via
the bridge behind the Giant Tiger on Kennedy Road south of Eglinton.
Bags and gloves supplied by the City
of Toronto, but feel free to bring your own gloves,
a rake, or a wheelbarrow. Sturdy footgear and weather-appropriate
clothing recommended. Please note there are no washrooms in Farlinger,
but there is a Tim’s within a 5 minute walk.
Fall, 2012
October 1: 10 - 11:30 am - The Wonders of Warden Woods
Join us for this second annual fall walk with Heritage
Toronto to see the fall foliage, discuss ecological
issues, and see where Taylor Massey Creek used to enter Lake Iroquois
before having to cut through East York and find another path to
what became Lake Ontario. Meet at the corner of St Clair and Warden,
opposite the Warden subway station.
Spring, 2012
Saturday, April 21: 10 – 11:30 6th Annual Warden Woods
Clean-up
Join the TMP and many partners to help clean up the park –
if the kids from local schools left us anything. If not, you can
choose a hike or pulling garlic mustard. Meet at the parking lot
off of Pharmacy, about 600 m north of the Danforth. Join members
from the Clairlea Regent Heights Neighbourhood
Association, Hope
Community Church, and A
Rocha Canada, with garbage bags and gloves provided
by the City of Toronto.
Sunday, April 22: 1 – 4 pm 18th Annual Community
Clean-up at Farlinger Ravine
Toronto’s oldest continuous ravine clean-up rolls on, coordinated
by The Creek Crew led by Janet, Harry, and neighbours. Meet at the
end of Miniot Circle, or come in via the bridge behind the Giant
Tiger on Kennedy Road south of Eglinton. Bags and gloves supplied
by the City of Toronto,
but feel free to bring your own gloves, a rake, or a wheelbarrow.
There is even a community BBQ following the event, thanks to donations
from No Frills and
Al-Jannat.
The Following Weekend 9th Annual ULC Creek Event
Once again, Underwriters Laboratories
of Canada will stage a creek activity involving
staff and families. ULC played a strong role in past efforts to
plant the Underwriters reach, from Lawrence down to Ashtonbee, and
will this year take on a local clean-up, followed by a BBQ.
Other Notes of Interest
- The TMP hopes to hold a fundraising pub night in May.
- We are pleased to announce that the TMP will be hosting another
fall walk with Heritage Toronto.
2011
1-3 pm Sunday, April 17 – 17th Annual Farlinger Ravine
Clean-up and Planting: The clean-up just keeps going and
going. Join Janet,
Harry and the Farlinger
Ravine Neighbourhood Crew, with litter bags, rakes,
and gloves supplied by the City of
Toronto. Wheelbarrows always welcome. Donors for
a BBQ after the clean-up include Pine
Hills Cemetery, Giant
Tiger, Tim Horton's,
Second Base, Fred
and Theresa's No Frills. Farlinger can be accessed
from the end of Miniott Circle, from the back of the parking lot
of the Giant Tiger on Kennedy south of Eglinton, or off the north
side of Foxridge, near Kennedy. Rain or shine, as always.
10–noon, Saturday, April 30 - Warden Woods Clean-up:
Once again, the members of the Clairlea
Regent Heights Neighbourhood Association will take
the lead in a community clean-up, joined this year by A
Rocha Canada and the Church of the Resurrection.
Litter bags and gloves provided by the City
of Toronto; water and hand sanitizer by the TMP;
snacks by A Rocha. Meet in the parking lot off of Pharmacy, about
800m north of the Danforth. Rain or shine, so please dress appropriately,
with sturdy footwear.
May 14 – 8th Farlinger Ravine Planting:
For the eighth year in a row, staff and families from Underwriters’
Laboratories Canada will join the TMP in efforts
to regenerate the Creek, followed by a company BBQ. This year, ULC
will not be planting along Underwriters’ Road but in support
the efforts of the Farlinger Ravine
Neighbourhood Crew, who worked diligently to obtain
plants donated by Hydro One
to help regenerate an area under a hydro line.
2010
Thursday, April 1 – How about a canoe with those
Chicken Wings? Sixteen people attended this fun and fund-raising
dinner, which collected over $400.00 toward our annual budget of
$500.00. Thanks to the Toronto and
Region Conservation Authority for donating a canoe
for Paddle the Don,
which we raffled.
Saturday, April 17 - 7th Annual Underwriters’ Corporate
Community Celebration: Forty-five staff and families members
from Underwriters Laboratories of
Canada held a great event, mulching 100 of the 1,675
trees and shrubs planted in the previous 6 years, picking up 25
bags of litter along with roofing tile and chunks of asphalt, and
holding a fabulous BBQ. Thanks to RoseMary and Martin for their
dedication.
Saturday, April 24 - Warden Woods Ravine Clean-up: Once
again, the members of the Clairlea
Regent Heights Neighbourhood Association were supported
by members of Hope Community Church,
with more than 50 people picking up well over 75 bags of litter.
We even had a TMP member in hip-waders, picking bits of plastic
out of the creek. With obvious signs that another group had cleaned
up during the Mayor’s Twenty Minute make-over, the park is
the cleanest it has looked in
Sunday, April 25th - 16th Annual Farlinger Ravine Neighbourhood
Clean-up and Planting: Another amazing event staged by
Janet, Harry
and the Farlinger Ravine Neighbours
and Friends. Litter bags, gloves, and about 50 plants
were supplied by the City of Toronto,
and others contributing to the event and BBQ afterwards included
Pine Hills Cemetery,
Giant Tiger, the
Church of the Epiphany, Tim
Horton's, Envirolet,
Second Base, Fred
and Theresa's No Frills. Final numbers were 66 people,
those 50 trees, and well over 100 bags of trash, plus tires, shopping
carts, etc.
Saturday May 15 – Garlic Mustard Pull: This
event and our thanks belong to the Toronto
Field Naturalists and the local Warden
Woods Stewardship Team. Twelve folks pulled a huge
pile of this invasive non-native ravine-spoiler.
Sunday, May 16th – Planting in Warden Woods:
Over 20 people from A Rocha Canada
worked in hot conditions in tough soil in three locations to plant
125 trees and shrubs provided by the City
of Toronto, with shovels, mulch pails, water, and
a few pairs of gloves provided by the TMP. Huge thanks to Paul Abell,
Jenny, and other members of the team for a great job of co-ordination.
October 17 – Farlinger Ravine Planting and WWF Walk-about:
About 25 people helped plant fifty trees and shrubs supplied by
the City of Toronto,
followed by an energetic discussion about the City’s Wet Weather
Flow Master Plan, both across the city and locally. Thanks to Janet,
Harry and the Farlinger Ravine Neighbourhood
Crew.
October 23 – Warden Woods Walk-about: A
small crowd of 10 people, most from the Clairlea
Regent Heights Neighbourhood Association, attended
this walk, but resulting in extensive discussion on many aspects
of Wet Weather Flow.
October 30 – Interpretive Hike and Wet Weather Flow
Update: A lively crowd of about 20 people, led by members
from A Rocha Canada,
wandered on and off-path throughout a rolling section of Taylor
Creek Park, enjoying the colours on a grate fall day. Thanks to
Paul from A Rocha.
2009
April 18: Re-discovering a long-lost tributary to Taylor
Massey Creek: Denton Creek, Gerrard Prairie and Rosetta McClain
Gardens
Fifty-five people, including members of the TMP, Lost
Rivers, and the Toronto
Field Naturalists enjoy a walk led John
Wilson, Chair, Task Force to Bring Back the Don,
following parts of a lost tributary, tentatively called Dentonia
Creek, from the Victoria Park subway station south to the Gerrard
Prairie and then east to the Rosetta McClain Gardens.
April 19: 6th Annual Underwriters’ Corporate Community
Celebration
Ninety-six staff and family members from Underwriters
Laboratories of Canada and Cadbury-Adams,
supported by staff from the City of
Toronto, planted 250 trees and shrubs along the
Creek, just north of Bertrand, bringing the total to 1,675 pieces
over the last 6 years.
April 26: 15th Annual Farlinger Ravine Neighbourhood Clean-up
and Planting
Fifty people helped with this year’s milestone event,
planting 50 trees and shrubs and picking up over 50 bags of litter,
with planting stock, mulch, litter bags, and gloves supplied by
the City of Toronto,
with great additional support from Pine
Hills Cemetery, Fred
and Theresa's No Frills, Giant
Tiger, the Church
of the Epiphany, and more. Special thanks to Janet,
Harry, Bram, and Joanna for local coordination and
hosting the fabulous pot-luck dinner.
April 25 - Warden Woods Clean-up
Sixty-six participants made this a great clean-up, led by the Clairlea
Regent Heights Neighbourhood Association, aided
by the Office of Councillor Adrian
Heaps, Hope Community
Church, and a contingent
of teens working with TD Canada Trust. More than
50 bags of litter were collected, as well as the usual surprising
things people think belong in a park. The TMP provided bottled water
– we gotta do something about that next year - and the Councillor
some high-calorie munchies.

May 9 - Plant-a-Tree-for-Mother’s-Day in Warden Woods,
with the Clairlea Regent Heights Neighbourhood
Association. An epic victory!! A cloud-burst just
before the event, with thunder and lightening, kept away most of
the expected numbers. Eight intrepid souls started 20 minutes late,
and planted about 50 pieces before the next cloud burst. We broke
for a meal and a return at 1:30. We planted 2 pieces before the
skies opened again. We re-grouped and came back the next morning.
Local delinquents had stolen 15 serviceberry. Undaunted, we planted
the remaining stock for a total of 85 pieces. Our tight-knit was
incredibly keen, happy to have persevered against the weather and
the thieves, and to have completed the job.
October 18: Fall Planting in Farlinger Ravine:
Twenty-three people helped in this fourth annual fall planting,
with 75 pieces of stock supplied by the City
of Toronto. The main event and subsequent BBQ were
coordinated by the local Creek Crew, led by Janet
and Harry, with support from Pine
Hills Cemetery, Giant
Tiger, Fred and Theresa's
No Frills, the Church
of the Epiphany.
October 24: Planting in Warden Woods: Seventeen
members of the Clairlea Regent Heights
Neighbourhood Association, with support from folks
supporting 350.org from as far away as Richmond Hill, planted 75
trees and shrubs supplied by the City
of Toronto.
Summaries
of Past Events
Event summaries are
posted during the year as available.
Past year summaries follow.
2008 |
Synopsis:
We had the fewest events ever, due to time spent on two
key publications, Protecting Warden Woods and the first
draft of Reach by Reach. Nonetheless, totals for the year
were:
- 9 events
- 317 participants
- 600 trees and shrubs; and
- 135 bags of litter.
We also made 6 submissions to local
agencies.
Click
here to see the 2008 Event Summary.
|
2007 |
Synopsis:
We had a very busy spring, then tapered off a bit in the
fall to concentrate on a few strategic issues. Nonetheless,
our 2007 activities involved:
- Staging 14 events involving 649
participants;
- Planting 1,000 trees and shrubs;
- Picking up 175 bags of litter;
and,
- Making 7 submissions to local
agencies.
Click here
to see the 2007 Event Summary.
|
2006 |
Synopsis:
The TMP enjoyed significant community support in 2006. Our
increased linkages with other community organizations allowed
us to collectively:
- Stage 11 events involving 831
participants;
- Plant 374 trees and shrubs, as
well as mulch stock planted in previous years;
- Pick up over 135 bags of litter,
as well as about 40 tires, a dozen shopping carts, and
mounds of other debris; and
- Enjoy a great fundraising dinner
that was both fun and filled our coffers for 2007.
We also made submissions to the
City of Toronto on natural heritage protection, cycling
paths, and the imperative for a watershed management approach
for the Wet Weather Flow Master Plan. The Warden Woods Ecological
Inventory, initiated in late 2005, will be completed in
2007. Special thanks to the Reach Co-ordinators, the City
of Toronto, Toronto Hydro, Underwriters’ Laboratories
Canada, LEAF, and the Bow and Arrow Pub and Restaurant.
Click here to see the 2006 Event Summary.
|
2005 |
Synopsis:
In our first full year as an independent organization, The
TMP staged or participated in 15 events involving 1,061 people,
collecting almost 200 bags of garbage, and planting over 400
trees and shrubs along the watercourse. We also launched the
Warden Woods Ecosystem Inventory and submitted two position
papers to local agencies. Special thanks to the Reach Co-ordinators,
the City of Toronto, Toronto Hydro,
Underwriters’ Laboratories Canada, LEAF, and the Bow
and Arrow Pub and Restaurant. Click
here to see the 2005 Event Summary. |
2004 |
Synopsis:
The first generation website gets launched in March,
and the TMP helps stage 11 events involving 477 people, with
865
trees and shrubs being planted in 4 events. Click
here to see the 2004 Event Summary. |
2003 |
Synopsis:
The TMP gets started gradually, with 7 events involving 147
people, with 200 trees and shrubs planted at one event. Founding
Chair Andrew McCammon puts in over 200 volunteer hours, with
another 100 hours from Betty Blashill, Cara Hudson, Christine
Jamieson, and Rebecca Ma, as well as other volunteers. Click
here to see the 2003 Event Summary. |
2008 Event Summary
April 19 – Taylor Creek Park Clean-up
Thirty-four participants from the East
York Dog-walkers, led Grainne, Chris, Muddy, and Helena,
and members of a local youth group, picked up about 25 bags of litter
and planted 150 trees and shrubs supplied by the City
of Toronto below the Haldon parking lot.
April 21 – Presentation to the Toronto
Green Community
Founding Chair Andrew McCammon was
one of a panel of four people speaking to 52 members at a meeting
of the Toronto Green Community. Andrew
provided a 15-minute powerpoint presentation on Taylor Massey Creek
in an evening devoted to the Future of water in Toronto.
Saturday, April 26 – Warden Woods
Planting
Seventeen neighbours from Moreau Trail, led
by Elizabeth, Paul, and their daughters, planted over 100
trees and shrubs supplied by the TRCA
around the bench at the north end of Warden Woods Park. Early arrivals
saw a fox nurse five kits nearby.
Sunday, April 27 - Birding and Natural
Heritage Protection in Warden Woods SOMETHING always impacts
this walk. This year, it was a TTC strike, which prevented almost
everyone from Lost Rivers and the
Toronto Field Naturalists from joining
us. Nonetheless, 17 people attended, led by experienced birder Christine
Greenlaw.
3rd Annual St Clair Ravine Park Clean-up
Members of the Santamonica-Birchmount Neighbourhood
Association, the Clairlea Neighbourhood
Association, and the staff and family
of Councillor Adrian Heaps did a great job. Seventeen people
picked up 25 bags of litter, and a LOT of other rubbish, especially
wood around the downstream headwall.
9:30 – 11:30 am Saturday, May 3 –
5th Annual Underwriters’ Corporate Community Celebration
Staff and families of Underwriters Laboratories
of Canada, Cadbury-Adams, and Pine
Hills Cemetery, joined by a great, anonymous crew from the
University of Toronto School, provided
113 people who again worked with extra-ordinarily easy and good
cheer while planting 250 trees and shrubs from the City
of Toronto, represented by Councillor
Michael Thompson.
In five years, this incredible group, which
also included Toronto Hydro before their local facility closed,
has now planted 1,425 pieces of stock, or about 40% of the total
in TMP activities to date. The TMP salutes these corporate supporters
as leaders in the community.
Saturday, May 10 – 14th Annual Farlinger
Ravine Neighbourhood Clean-up and Planting
Another great event led by Janet, Harry,
and their family! Forty participants picked up 85 bags of
liter, tires, and shopping carts, while a group of 10 teens from
the Woodgreen Community Centre took
the lead in planting 100 trees and shrubs, especially some wonderful
willow, supplied by the City of Toronto,
to help stabilize eroding strreambanks.
As usual, Janet and Harry hosted a local BBQ afterwards, with food
donated by Giant Tiger. A DVD player
donated by Pine Hills Cemetery was
drawn by Board member Frisca Ozorio.
October 4: Rather than a mass planting with small
stock, the local Creek Crew brought out a small crew of dedicated
people to plant larger-than-normal stock. Eleven neighbours planted
and mulched 50 pieces. Special thanks to Janet, Harry, Bram, Joanna,
Sophie, Beth, and Wilf.
November 25: Thirty-three people attended our fifth
annual fundraising event, which received kind financial donations
from Creemore Springs Brewery Limited
and Pine Hills Cemetery
and some great door prizes from the City
of Toronto.
2007 Event Summary
March 18 – Spring Walk of Warden Woods
and the Goulding Estate
Our earliest-ever event, three days after a late spring snow storm,
attracted 35 participants. With nary a leaf nor a bird in sight,
walk leader Andrew McCammon pointed out areas of mature maple, oak,
and, beech; conifer stands favoured by migrating warblers; issues
relating to non-native invasive species such as Norway maple, dog-strangling
vine, and European alder; and water quantity (stream bank erosion)
and quality (e-coli from spills from sanitary sewers).
Thanks to walk partners Lost Rivers
and Toronto Field Naturalists,
and to TMP Chair Nancy Penny
for the photo.
April 15: Community Planting near Willowfield
School
It was a bit blustery, but 26 people helped plant 125 trees and
shrubs at the pond near the school. Thanks to all, especially organizers
Nancy Penny and Rob
Wright , the Terraview
Willowfield Regeneration Committee, Councillor
Norm Kelly, and the City
of Toronto for stock, shovels, gloves, and mulch.
April 16: School Planting near Willowfield
School
It was still blustery, but the rain held off until we were done,
by which time 140 students from Willowfield School had planted another
125 trees and shrubs at the pond near the school. Thanks to organizers
Nancy Penny and Rob
Wright, Principal
Paul Noble and the staff and students of Willowfield School,
and the City of Toronto
for stock, shovels, gloves, and mulch.
April 10: Santamonica-Birchmount Neighbourhood
Association AGM
Founding Chair Andrew McCammon provided a short introduction about
the TMP to the Annual General Meeting of this association and fielded
energetic questions from the 25 attendees. Key issues of concern
included e-coli pollution from storm sewers as well as ensuring
trail linkages along the whole of the Creek. Special thanks to SBNA
president Frisca Ozorio
for the invitation.
April 22 – Community Clean-up, Taylor Creek Park
About 30 members of the Taylor Massey
Dog-walkers club and members of the East
York Outing Club picked up about 75 bags of garbage
in this inaugural clean-up in Taylor Creek Park. Special thanks
to organizers Grainne Ryder and Susan Hanrahan, the
City of Toronto for the bags and gloves, and Jawny
Bakers for the coffee.
April 22 – 2nd Annual Community Clean-up, St Claire Ravine
Park
About 25 members of the Santamonica-Birchmount
Neighbourhood Association gathered about 50 bags
of garbage during the spring clean-up of this hidden gem of a park,
on the north-west corner of Birchmount and St Clair avenues, with
bags provided by the City of Toronto.
Thanks to organizer Frisca Ozorio,
Councillor Adrian Heaps and two-thirds
of the staff from his office, Alan
Burton from the Clairlea Neighbourhood Association,
and whoever got in there ahead of us, stacking up a huge pile of
garbage bags, shopping carts, and various other items.
April 29 - 2nd Annual Warden Woods Community
Clean-up
Something went array in the publicity, and Councillor Adrian Heaps,
his family, and staff from his office provided 6 or the 15 people
who helped gather about 50 bags of garbage, some tires, a TV, and
even, yes, a fridge and a kitchen sink in this second annual clean-up.
Special thanks to Councillor Heaps
and his family and staff, Bill
MacDonald of the Friends of the Danforth, Tom
Cundill of the Warden Woods Neighbourhood Association,
and a special thanks to Alan Burton
for wrestling with the fridge.
May 5 – Bird Identification Walk
in Warden Woods
Our small group of 9 was perfect for this outing. Initial disappointment
with clear skies that allowed all the migratory warblers we saw
last time to not visit our local bird sanctuary eventually turned
to some excitement as the TMP’s extraordinary bird leader
Christine Jamieson
helped us find all the hiding places. The high-light of the day
may have been a Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Sunday, May 6 – The 4th Annual Underwriters’
Corporate Community Celebration
This year, about half of the 112 planters who gathered to
plant 325 trees and shrubs were the family members of our corporate
partners, lending a new, festive atmosphere to the work. Not only
did we get everything in and well mulched, we even mulched last
year’s planting, which hadn’t received a lot of that
due to last year’s torrential downpour. What a difference
sunshine makes! Thanks to Toronto
Hydro, Underwriters’
Laboratories Canada, Cadbury-Schweppes,
and LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation
of Forests) Toronto, our MC, Councillor
Michael Thompson, and the City
of Toronto for stock, shovels, gloves, and mulch.
This year’s planting brings total stock planted in the reach
to 1,175 over the past 4 years.
Sunday, May 6 – The 13th Annual Farlinger
Ravine Neighbourhood Clean-up and Planting
This year, 77 people came out to what we believe is one of the best,
longest-lasting annual clean-ups in the City. In addition to picking
up about 100 bags of garbage, we also managed to plant 100 trees
and shrubs along the Creek, followed by a well-attended BBQ and
pot-luck dinner at a local home. As usual, heaps of thanks to organizers
Janet Klees, Harry
Van Bommel, Bram,
Joanna, and Peter,
and a strong supporting cast of Councillor
Adrian Heaps, the
Parks Department, the Second
Base Youth Shelter, the Church
of the Epiphany, Pine
Hills Cemetery, Bronco
Press, Fred and Theresa's
No Frills, and Giant
Tiger.
Saturday, July 14 – Fourth Annual Underwriters Reach
Maintenance Event
For the fourth year in a row, LEAF
Toronto and the Vision
Youth Leadership Program performed all-important
pruning of recently-planted tress and shrubs, adding mulch to protect
previous years’ plantings. Over 50 youth participated, as
well as adult leaders and staff from LEAF. The
City of Toronto provided the mulch, gloves, shovels,
buckets, and other equipment, and for the first time in four years
we had a temperate rather than a scorching day, making for a wonderful
time. Special thanks to Janet McKay
of LEAF and everyone at Youth Vision.
September 29, 2007: The third
annual fundraising dinner, held September 19 and sponsored by the
Bow and Arrow Pub & Restaurant
and Creemore Springs Brewery,
was a great success. The kind donations of food, beer, and the canoe
for the raffle, along with the huge efforts from Patrick,
Robert, Paula, Cassandra, and chef Mr White, resulted
in our most successful fundraising event ever. Fifty attendees shared
in good fun, sampled great food, sipped some fine ale, and listened
to wonderful presentations by Katie
Tucker of Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and Ken
Dion of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority,
each of whom was provided with a laptop-backpack thanks to Marks
Work Wearhouse.
The canoe was initially won by Bruce
Heron, who graciously put it up for auction, resulting
in a winning bid of $350.00. Thanks to everyone, and best of wishes
to Trevor Joyce and Brandon Fernandes
in the use of the canoe.
Farlinger Ravine Planting, October 14 – Our
fourth annual fall planting, coordinated by the Local
Creek Committee lead by Janet, Harry, Bram, and Joanna,
saw 25 people plant 150 trees and shrubs, courtesy of the City,
followed by a great pot luck Chez Janet.
St Claire Ravine Planting, October 27 – Thirty
people, including members of the TMP, the Santamonica-Birchmount
Neighbourhood Association, and the Woodgreen
Community Centre, planted 175 trees and shrubs donated
by the City near the pedestrian bridge that crosses the Creek. Special
thanks to Frisca Ozorio
and Ashiya Desai.
2006
Event Summary
Earthday, Saturday, April 22 – The Third
Annual Underwriters’ Reach Corporate Celebration
Well, it had to finally happen: we planted in the rain. Constant
rain. Regardless, about 140 people turned out, and we managed both
to do a small clean-up and to get 314 trees and shrubs in the ground,
taking us over 850 for the last three years. The Reach is starting
to look great, with many more birds. This is corporate leadership
in local ecological restoration at its best, lead Toronto
Hydro, Underwriters’
Laboratories Canada,
LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) Toronto,
and Cadbury-Adams, with the kind support of Councillor
Thompson and staff from The City of Toronto.
Sunday, April 23 – The 11th Annual Farlinger Ravine
Clean-up
Once again, the Farlinger Ravine
Clean-up Group put on a great event, with about
65 people participating, including Mayor
Miller, Councillor
Altobello, the 4th
West Scarborough Scout Troup, and the Second
Base Youth Shelter, with kind donations from the
Church of the Epiphany,
Pine Hills Cemetery,
Bronco Press, Legacies,
and No Frills. The
clean-up yielded about 40 bags of litter, 35 tires, various bits
of metal, and 1 shopping cart. In addition, the local scouts planted
10 trees donated by the city’s Parks
Department as well as 9 shrubs left over from the
day before, provided by Toronto Hydro, which helped the local scouts
get their badges.
Mid-week, April 24-28 - Terraview Willowfield Clean-up
Once again, Nancy Penny, Principal
Sherriff-Scott and Terraview Willowfield school staff,
as well as community volunteers
co-ordinated this annual clean-up. About 350 students worked in
20-minute shifts with their classes to clean up this award-winning
concept site. Over 15 bags of litter were collected. Drinks, gloves,
and hand wipes were provided this year courtesy of Walton
Advocates.
Sunday, May 7 – St Claire Ravine Clean-up
Members of the Santa Monica Birchmount
Neighbourhood Association were supposed to do a
quick clean-up!
of the St Clair Ravine, and then wander over the Warden Woods event,
but somebody
totally under-estimated the detritus. Fifteen members worked hard
for 2 hours, cleaning up over 30 bags of litter, 2 shopping carts,
1 propane cannister, and other assorted garbage. Staff
from the City also worked hard linking this satellite
activity with the main event at Warden Woods, running extra bags,
gloves, food, and water over to the stranded group. Undaunted, the
SMBNA and the TMP will make this a separate event next year.
Sunday, May 7 – Warden Woods Community Clean-up
This first effort of the TMP to clean up Warden Woods by linking
numerous organizations to tackle what is otherwise too large a natural
treasure for any one group was a great success, bringing together
58 people from 10 organizations. Supporters and participants included
Councillor Altobello
and the City of Toronto,
the Warden Woods Neighbourhood Association,
the Clairlea Neighbourhood Association,
the Friends of the Danforth,
and the Toronto Environmental Volunteers,
with refreshments provided courtesy of the Ranka
Group of Companies, Crompton
Corp, and The J. Walton
House.
Almost 50 large bags of garbage were collected, along with 1 shopping
cart, 1 propane cannister, a few old bikes, and many pieces of rusting
metal.
Sunday June 11 - Tour of the Upper Watershed’s Possible
Cycling Paths
Every year, we seem to have one event that gets almost no turnout.
This one had one TMP member, Councillor Michael Thompson, Dan Egan
from the City’s Transportation Department, and Dan’s
wife. While the turnout was snookered by a comedy of publicity errors
and soccer’s World Cup, Councillor Thompson briefed us on
efforts to establish lights and crosswalks where the cycling trail
in the Gatineau hydro line intercepts Victoria Park, Pharmacy, Warden,
and Birchmount. We then were able to share with Mr Egan the prospect
of establishing one north-south cycling trail along the Creek from
the Gatineau line up to Lawrence, and then along Ellington almost
all the way to Ellesmere, and another within the Warden Hydro Corridor,
all the way from Terraview-Willowfield and Ellesmere back to the
Gatineau line just north of Eglinton. Mr Egan felt that this route
might be considered as an alternate to a proposed on-road cycling
trail along Pharmacy. See our letter
in Submissions to Local Agencies.
Sunday July 23 - Second Annual Cycling Tour of Lower Watershed
Regeneration Issues with Toronto Bay Initiative
Twenty-two cyclists, most members of TBI, started this tour, with
about 8 taking off when the rain hit, 6 more melting away quietly
as it continued, and 8 sticking it out to the end. With the vast
majority of participants being down-towners, most got to see the
wonders of Warden Woods and the Goulding Estate, as well as some
of the upstream sewer outfalls that contribute to the closure of
waterfront’s beaches, for the first time, making this a very
successful effort to integrate upstream and lakefront watershed
concerns. A big thanks to Toronto
Bay Initiative.
Saturday, August 12 - Third Annual Underwriters Reach Maintenance
Event
For the third year in a row, LEAF
Toronto and the Vision
Youth Leadership Program performed hot drudgery
pruning tress and shrubs and adding mulch to protect the spring’s
planting. Over 50 youth participated, as well as adult leaders and
staff from LEAF. Toronto Hydro
provided the mulch, the City of Toronto
provided gloves, shovels, buckets, and other equipment, and Underwriters’
Laboratories of Canada ensured access to their washrooms.
Due to tough local conditions, this annual maintenance is truly
needed to maximize survival rates. Thanks to all the Reach partners.
Saturday, September 16 - Second Annual Fundraising Dinner
The new format for the annual dinner was a succulent success, with
the earlier hour encouraging the attendance of some of our younger
members and creating an enhanced family atmosphere. About 45 people
enjoyed the fantastic Bow and
Arrow dinner options, while enjoying Creemore
beer, and another 20 purchased raffle tickets for the Canoe. We
were also able to provide rain jackets as thank-you’s to core
volunteers, as well as raffle a few others off, thanks to Marks
Work Wearhouse. In addition to being fun, the
evening filled our coffers for 2007. Special thanks to Patrick,
Sean, and Jen.
Tuesday, October 17 - Terraview Willowfield: A Progress
Report and Vision for the Future
Knowledgeable and caring staff from the City provided excellent
presentations and fielded numerous questions from 45 local residents
who attended yet another rainy 2006 event. The rain reduced the
pre-event walk to about 5 people, but did not dampen the rest of
the evening. Mingdi Yang
of Toronto Water gave an update on the functionality of the underground
storm treatment pond; Alex Shevchuk
of Parks, Forestry & Recreation provided an informative history
of both the City’s cycling plans and the Warden Hydro Corridor;
and Joanne Di Caro,
also of Toronto Water, updated the meeting on the storm outfall
water quality testing program and the City’s actions on dealing
with sanitary flow found to be coming into the Creek. Although unable
to attend, Garth Armour
of Parks sent a promise of support for the TMP’s request for
stock to increase plantings within Terraview Willowfield. Finally,
Councillor Norm Kelly,
who had helped co-ordinate staff presence, expressed his desire
to continue to work with the community, seeking to maintain a balance
of ecological, community, and financial concerns. Our
thanks to Councillor Kelly and the great staff from the City,
as well as to TMP Chair Nancy
Penny for local publicity and for facilitating
a rollicking head table with 8 people!
Sunday, October 22: Farlinger Ravine Planting & Networking
Session
Yes: another event and MORE rain, but the clouds parted and 20 people
showed up to increase the density of past plantings with another
50 trees and shrubs. Most of the team headed to the home of the
family of the local Reach co-ordinators for coffee and cake afterward,
and had a full discussion on numerous local concerns. The usual
thanks to Janet, Harry, Bram,
Joanna, and Deb, as well as to the City for
the stock.
2005 Event Summary
February 9, 2005
Presentation to Toronto Environmental Volunteers
The TMP made a presentation to about 30 members of the TEV, fielding
questions on the project fielding a series of questions on the project
and attracting a number of new volnteers.
April 9
Presentation to AGM, District 5, Ontario Horticultural Association,
hosted by the East York Garden Club and the Leaside Garden Society
Over 175 people saw the TMP’s powerpoint presentation
and asked many excellent questions on protecting local water quality
and natural heritage, and the TMP received a kind donation from
the two local clubs. Special thanks to Sheila Whiteley and Malcolm
Geast for the invitation and logistics support.
April 17
Underwriters’ Reach Corporate Earth Day Celebration
Over 200 people participated in this year's event, with introductory
comments from Councillor Michael Thompson, Toronto Hydro Electric
System President Jim Black, and Underwriters' Laboratories Canada
President & General
Manager Martin Oughton. Almost 100 bags of litter were removed from
along the eastern side of the Creek as part of the Mayor's 20-minute
Make Over; last year's effort of almost 300 plants, which are doing
quite well, were re-mulched; and 250 more trees and shrubs were
planted, this time south of Crouse. Special thanks to:
- Toronto Hydro Corporation for providing 90
trees and shrubs, as well as hats, water, and sunscreen, co-ordinating
media outreach, and for the staff, food, and all the fixings for
the fantastic BBQ;
- Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests,
lead by Janet McKay, for co-ordinating volunteers who provided
demonstrations, supervision, and encouragement to the planters;
- The City of Toronto for support staff, shovels, gloves, and
160 trees and shrubs; and
- All the members of the steering committee, especially Hydro's
Paul Reesor and ULC's Rose Marie Thompson, for planning another
great success.
April 22
Terraview Willowfield Clean-up
Local reach co-ordinator Nancy Penny lead approximately 300 students
from Terraview-Willowfield PS on a clean-up of the Terraview Willowfield
concept site. This is a yearly earth day event that every class
participated in for 20 minutes and coincided with the Mayor’s
20-minute make over. The day was a great success. It was noted that
the amount of garbage in the park was less than that of previous
years. This is an indicator that the use of the park as an out door
classroom by the school, and their continued environmental education
has given the students and community ownership of the park encouraging
responsible behavior. Special thanks to Nancy, school Principal
Barbara Sheriff-Scott and all the staff, the students and community
volunteers for continuing to be involved in this great community
resource.
Sunday, April 24
10th Annual Farlinger Ravine Clean-up
The rain held off and over 125 people lent a hand in this
largest-ever turn-out for a Taylor Massey residential clean-up.
Councillor Gerry Altobello provided some opening words of encouragement
and 12 trees from City Forestry, Father William Cruse blessed the
Creek, a local family provided 4 additional trees grown from seed
in their back yard, and the pot luck supper provided a great opportunity
for relaxation and neighbourly chat. Special thanks to Scarborough
4th West Scouting, the great group this year from Second Base Youth
Shelter, the local Food Basics for yet again supplying us with hot
dogs and pop, the Parks Department of the City for their usual support,
the Church of the Epiphany, and to Janet, Harry, Bram, Joanna, Deb
and a proud core of neighbours for once again organizing one of
the best clean-ups in the City.
Sunday, May 15
3rd Annual Birding Event in Warden Woods
We really lucked out this year, with a date picked by experienced
birder Christine Jamieson that allowed our small group of 11 to
identify 33 species of birds in the park, up from 23 last year,
with many of the new ones migratory warblers probably just passing
through. The list is provided below.
Black-capped
Chickadee
Blue Jay
Brown-headed Cowbird
Cardinal
Crow
Grackle
Grosbeak, Rose-breasted
Hawk – (species)
Herring Gull
Northern Flicker
Nuthatch, Red-breasted
Overbird
Oriole |
Redstart
Redwinged Blackbird
Robin
Scarlet Tanager
Sparrow, House
Spotted Sandpiper
Towhee
Veery
Verio, Warbling
Vireo, Red-eyed
Woodpecker – (species)
Woodthrush |
Warblers:
Bay-breasted
Blackburnian
Black-throated Green
Black and White
Canada
Chessnut-sided
Magnolia
Nashville
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Sunday, May 29
Hike of the Warden Hydro Corridor with Councillors Kelly and Thompson
This walk, despite of a small turnout of 12, took place at a time
that coincided with or presented us with three important shifts
in momentum for a trail within and extensive naturalization of the
Corridor. These shifts are:
- At its meeting of May 17, City of Toronto Council approved
a plan identifying the Corridor as future greenspace, with trail;
- Councillor Kelly, whose ward extends from north of the 401
down to Ellesmere and who has returned for another term on the
TRCA, spoke very supportively about restoring the base flow of
the Creek, which has been diverted to Highland Creek north of
the 401, back to Taylor Massey, a TMP recommendation to the City’s
Wet Weather Flow master lan, and which would improve both local
water quantity and water quality; about implementing the already-completed
naturalization plans for the area of the Corridor from the Terraview
Willowfield school south to Ellesmere; and about connecting the
existing bicycle trail north of the 401 to the Corridor; and,
- Councillor Thompson shared with us a vision he has been working
on for the establishment of a parking lot and outdoor meeting
area on the north side of where the Corridor meets Lawrence. With
benches and other outdoor amenities, this area could become a
major gathering place for people wishing to hike north or south
on the Taylor Massey Trail, supported by a traffic light proposed
a half-block west of the Corridor.
The Taylor Massey Project welcomes all three developments, and
pledges to work with the City to help make them realities as soon
as possible.
Saturday, June 4
Exploring Warden Woods
Participation in this walk was unfortunately squeezed by
a series of outside events that reduced us to a rump of three, the
most important being the scheduling by the City of an all-day public
consultation, from 10 am to 4 pm, on the re-development of Warden
Avenue from the old Power Centre to the Danforth, and that involved
many of the members from the Warden Woods area we had hoped would
join us. After our small walk, the Chair was able to attend the
afternoon session of the public meeting, which lead to the development
of a submission to the City’s Planning and Transportation
Committee meeting of October 6 to seek the development of a master
plan for the long-term protection of the ecological integrity of
the Woods. See Submissions to local agencies for details.
August 12
Underwriters’ Road Mulching Event with LEAF and Youth Vision
Forty members of Youth Vision worked for almost three hours, in
the hot sun, spreading mulch on over 275 trees and shrubs planted
by Toronto Hydro and ULC in 2004 and the spring of 2005. This effort
was coordinated almost entirely by LEAF Toronto, which plays a lead
role in tree planting efforts along this reach with Toronto Hydro,
ULC, and the City. Thanks to Janet, Steve, and Hoppa.
Monday, September 12
The TMP Fundraising Dinner
The Bow and Arrow Pub & Restaurant hosted out first annual
dinner, with extensive support from Creemore Springs Brewery, Thirty-six
attendees had a great time, heard a fantastic presentation from
Krytsyn Tully of Lake Ontario Keeper, and almost $1,500 went into
the bank. Thanks to all.
Friday, September 16
Presentation to Visitors from Paraguay
The TMP’s unique and highly successful model of establishing
Reach Stewardship Groups along the Creek was the focus of a presentation
to a small group of visiting watershed specialists from Paraguay,
being hosted in Toronto by FutureWatch.
Sunday, September 18
Tree Identification Walk with
LEAF
A small group of 13 was lead through a fun and informative Tree
Identification Walk by Wendy Strickland of LEAF. The walk also served
to launch of our Warden Woods Ecosystem Inventory, as described
under What’s New.
Wednesday, September 28
Presentation to Toronto Environmental Volunteers
The TMP made a powerpoint presentation and fielded questions to
about 20 members of the Toronto Environmental Volunteers on the
TM watershed and the goals and efforts of the Project.
Saturday, October 15
Heritage Walk through the Goulding Reach
Following 4 days of grey skies and rain, the clouds parted
and 67 people enjoyed a walk of the reach and a short visit to the
Goulding Estate. Local resident David Bowring provided a description
of the history of the area, which was the site of a model farm where
Walter Massey introduced pasturization to the Toronto dairy industry,
and TMP Chair Andrew McCammon described some of the local ecological
features and issues.
Sunday, October 23
Fall Foliage Walk of Taylor Creek Park, with the Toronto Trails
Festival
Extensive rain and, silly us, the closing of the DVP finally did
it to us: we actually had an event with NO participants. We’ll
re-tool next year with the Festival, and pick a date the Parkway
isn’t closed.
Sunday, November 6
Fall Planting in Farlinger Ravine
The morning squalls and thunder (!) ended just in time, and 26 intrepid
souls, demonstrating qualities beyond the call of duty, worked hard
planting 150 new trees and shrubs and mulching those plus all the
stock planted previously. There are no medals for this sort of thing,
so all interested were treated to pizza. Thanks as usual to Janet,
Harry, Bram, and Joanna for local co-ordination, hard work, and
warm hospitality at their home.
2004
Event Summary
Sunday, April 18
CORPORATE PLANTING NEAR UNDERWRITERS ROAD
Over 150 participants from Toronto Hydro, LEAF, Underwriters Laboratories
Canada, with a few members of the TMP, planted almost 300 trees
and shrubs in a first effort to restore this reach of Taylor Massey
Creek.In addition to an initial supply of planting stock from the
City, Toronto Hydro made a huge investment in the effort, providing
funds for additional trees, a fantastic barbeque, a festive atmosphere
for over 100 of their employees, and installing a gate in their
back fence for planting and future access. Thanks all!
Saturday, April 24: 10 am
PLANTING EVENT WITH COMMUNITY CARE EAST YORK
To prepare for the public event the next day (See April
25), 65 staff, parents, and teenage supporters of Community Care
East York planted a perimeter of 90 sumac around the easternmost
edge of Taylor Creek Park, followed by an interpretive tour of the
riparian edge of the Goulding Estate.
Saturday, April 24: 1 pm
TAYLOR MASSEY CLEAN-UP
A new Reach Stewardship Group has joined our efforts to
help restore Taylor Massey Creek. The new group held a clean-up,
with about 35 people, in the Eglinton Ravine.
Sunday, April 25: 10:00 am
TAYLOR CREEK PARK NATURALIZATION PLANTING
Over 60 people, including Councillor Janet Davis, staff
from Parks, the Danforth East Association of Ratepayers, members
of the TMP and Friends of the Don East braved a low temperature,
strong morning winds, and sporadic downpours to plant 300 pieces
of stock to naturalize 600 square metres of Taylor Creek Park at
Dawes Road.
Saturday, May 8: 1 - 4 pm
9th ANNUAL FARLINGER RAVINE CLEAN-UP AND BBQ
The hail let up, then turned into a driving rain, but 42
dauntless people turned out for a great clean-up. The reach looks
the cleanest it has in years. Thanks to Janet and Harry, who co-ordinated
the local turnout, barbequed under 2 marquees, and welcomed about
30 people into their home.
Saturday, May 15: 2 pm
TERRAVIEW WILLOWFIELD CONCEPT SITE TOUR
After a great start to huge turnouts for spring events,
we had rain, again – but no hail. Nonetheless, about 12 people,
including Councillor Norm Kelly, local champion Nancy Penny, and
Peter Hare & members of the Lost Rivers Society, had a great
walk and discussed even more restoration.
Sunday, May 16: 9 am
BIRDING IN WARDEN WOODS
Fifteen people turned out for a great walk, lead by Christine
Jamieson, who helped us identify 23 species, including a Scarlet
Tanager. We also got to see a tremendous dog-fight between two male
Northern Orioles. Warden Woods rules!
Saturday, September 25, 10:00 - noon
PLANTING EVENT AT THE GOULDING ESTATE
Twenty people gathered and planted almost an acre with
175 trees and shrubs, with funding from the Toronto Trees and Parks
Foundation and additional stock provided by the City.
Saturday, October 2, 10:00 - noon
TAYLOR MASSEY'S PRIVATE NATURE TRAIL IN PINE HILLS CEMETERY
FODE board member Michael Dennison lead a fascinating tour
along a private trail through the woods that line Taylor Massey
Creek as it flows through Pine Hills Cemetery. A threatening forecast
kept the numbers low, but allowed for excellent information exchange
among the 11 participants.
October 17, 9 - noon
LEAP-FROG: THE UPPER TAYLOR MASSEY BUS AND HIKING TOUR
Sponsored by the City of Toronto, The Toronto & Region
Conservation Authority, and Grassroots Environmental Products, over
45 people hiked four sections of Taylor Massey Creek, getting to
better understand the wonderful natural resource it represents.
October 23, 10:00 - 11:30 am
SATURDAY STROLL THROUGH WARDEN WOODS
Twenty-two people, including members of the Warden Woods
Neighbourhood Association and Parents without Partners, joined members
of the TMP in brilliant sunshine and great fall colours as we walked
this unspoiled jewel of Taylor Massey Creek.
2003 Event Summary
Saturday, April 26
SCARBOROUGH BOY SCOUT CLEAN-UP IN TAYLOR MASSEY CREEK
About 20 people, including members of the Scarborough 97th
scout troop, did a spectacular job cleaning up the eastern side of
about a kilometer of the top of bank trail and its edge, from Underwriters
Road north to Lawrence. Thanks to all who participated!
Sunday, May 4
TAYLOR MASSEY COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP and BBQ
Seventy people pulled 33 shopping carts, 31 tires, sundry
chairs, sofas and other material, as well as countless bags of garbage,
out of Taylor Massey from Foxridge up to the railway line, followed
by a community BBQ at Janet and Harry's home. Great job guys.
Sunday, May 25
NEIGHBOURHOOD WALK THROUGH PINE HILLS CEMETERY
Pine Hills head Arborist Jack Radecki led a wonderful morning
walk by 24 people along the Creek-side nature trail and through
an impressive 10 acre woodlot, seeing many of the cemetery's 200
species and 17,000 trees. Did you know there are blue trees?
Sunday, June 1
BIRDING WALK THRU WARDEN WOODS WITH GREG SADOWSKI
A chilly morning and a brisk wind kept the turnout of both
humans and birds low, but increased the camaraderie and enjoyment
of the 18 committed souls who took part. Catch us again next year!
Saturday, October 18 at 10 am
PLANTING IN FARLINGER RAVINE
Twenty-two people planted 200 trees and shrubs in Farlinger
Ravine, overlooking Taylor Massey Creek.
Saturday, November 1 at 10 am
REGENERATION OPPORTUNITIES IN TAYLOR CREEK PARK
FODE members Paula Davies and Stephen Smith graciously
led a walk to help identify special locations requiring protection
and candidate areas for future regeneration. About 30 people participated
at various stages of this long and wonderful walk.
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