Summary: FOSS Steering Committee Meeting                                         

March 28th, 2022

7:04 PM, Via Zoom Video Conferencing

 

COL. SAM SMITH PARK CLEANUP (18TH Anniversary): Sunday, April 24, 9AM-3PM. Garbage bags/water provided. Bring your own gloves/boots. Dress for the weather.

Prizes/Giveaways/Community Service Hours. Meet on the path east of the Lake Shore Yacht Club.

 

GREBE PLATFORMS: The platforms are being readied and are projected to be in the water before the end of April.

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PLANTING EVENT-MAY 11: The City has organized a planting of native species dedicated to restoring the lower portion of the woodlot north of the pond-the southern section of the “Dogwoods”. FOSS was allocated seven places for this project. A call for committed volunteers was issued on FOSS’s social media channels.

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SPRING BIRD FESTIVAL-SATURDAY, MAY 28: 10:00AM-2:00PM. Check the FOSS website/social media for details.

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PHOTO/ART EXHIBITION AT THE ASSEMBLY HALL: October 5-November 9. Multimedia: photos/paintings. Entry fee. Prizes. Sponsorship welcomed. Details to be announced soon—check FOSS website/social media.

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GRAFFITI AT AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL STORAGE FACILITY: The facility has become an unsightly graffiti-covered mess. FOSS is working with the football club to address this issue. UPDATE: Councillor Grimes has reached out to Street Art TO re: the provision of a suitable mural. Completion date not yet available.

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FILMING CREW AT COL. SAM: FOSS greatly appreciates the respect for the environment shown by a crew that recently completed a location “shoot” for the Handmaid’s Tale at Col. Sam. Rather than using salt on slippery paths, they graciously hand chipped the ice! They also provided FOSS with a generous donation that will help to fund projects such as the Spring Bird Festival. FOSS was impressed with their consultative approach and offers its sincere thanks.

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COYOTE UPDATE: There is no truth to the rumor that a “ginger” coyote was removed from Col. Sam. The coyotes will be denning soon and become more secretive and less visible at this time. Another coyote has been observed with a limp. Authorities are aware of this animal and have deemed it to be OK

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Visitors are asked to notify the police at 416 808-2200 for drug/fireworks 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                                         

January 24, 2022

7:01 PM, Via Zoom Video Conferencing

 

SAVING THE WILDWOOD: FOSS is in the process of finalizing details with respect to this project. All reports must include the date and time observations were made. Keep checking the web site for updates.

<<https://www.friendsofsamsmithpark.ca/>>

The Wildwood refers to the last remaining treed area located on the west side of Colonel Sam Smith Drive. It is an oasis for wildlife—feathered, furred and flowering. FOSS, desiring to keep the area wild and protect it from development, has begun to document the vast variety of insects, birds, mammals, and plants found there. Records kept on iNaturalist, eBird and paper are priceless. Your help is needed. Please volunteer.

 

COYOTE CONCERNS: FOSS indicated its concern about unwanted human interference (harassment/feeding) of the park’s coyotes. As a result, the city has recently erected new informational signs and there is hope they are having a positive effect. There are two by-law officers on patrol as well. It is illegal to feed coyotes (and wildlife in general). Contact 311 to report any such activities. The official policy with regard to Col. Sam’s coyotes is “watchful/waiting”.

 

WINTER BIRD FEEDERS: The winter bird feeding project is, once more, a great success. FOSS has purchased 100 pounds of bird seed and the Urban Nature Store has graciously donated an additional 100 pounds. FOSS (and the birds) would like to thank them for their generosity. The feeders offer excellent opportunities for photographing birds and photographers are encouraged to submit their images to the FOSS web site for posting.

 

MORRISON STREET ROAD END: There has been some concern that the city is considering selling this property to a nearby resident. Historically, this location (important to birders) was proposed as a more welcoming park entrance. FOSS and CCFEW are working together to have the responsibility for “street ends” and this entrance transferred to the city’s Parks Department. Contact Councillor Grimes’ office to go on record with any concerns you may have about this matter.

 

GRAFFITI AT AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL STORAGE FACILITY: The facility has become an unsightly graffiti-covered mess. FOSS is working with the football club to address this issue.

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ICE FISHING HUTS: Ice fishing huts have been observed at Col. Sam. One was erected adjacent to a beaver lodge and a fire was burning nearby. The huts are legal, but may not remain overnight. Fires in the park are illegal. By-law offices were to speak to the offenders. Please report any infractions to 311.

 

FOSS E-TRANSFER FEATURE: In an attempt to reduce the amount of junk mail received in the FOSS e-Transfer account, the “@” symbol will be replaced with the word “at” on the web page <<fosspark4 at gmail.com>>. When actually sending a message, simply replace “at” with the “@” sign.

Visitors are asked to notify the police at 416 808-2200 for drug/fireworks infractions and 311 for trash build-up. Any problems reported to 311 are greatly strengthened when accompanied with a photo.

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Summary: FOSS Steering Committee Meeting

November 22, 2021

7:01 PM, Via Zoom Video Conferencing

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PUMPKIN PARADE: FOSS’s second annual Pumpkin Parade was deemed a great success. The event enjoyed great weather, 112 pumpkins and large numbers of smiling and enthusiastic visitors. Last year’s event was cancelled due to COVID, but this year’s parade tripled the number of pumpkins on display. Will there be 200 in 2022? Thank you to all who attended. A special thanks goes out to everyone who shared their pumpkins.

Check out the FOSS website for photos and a video of the event: https://www.friendsofsamsmithpark.ca/

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FOSS BIRDFEEDER PROJECT: FOSS will once again erect birdfeeders around the skating track at Col. Sam. A big thank you to the six dedicated individuals who have already volunteered to monitor and fill the feeders.

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SAVING THE WILDWOOD: The Wildwood refers to the last remaining treed area located on the west side of Colonel Sam Smith Drive. It is an oasis for wildlife—feathered, furred and flowering. FOSS, desiring to keep the area wild and protect it from development, has begun to document the vast variety of insects, birds, mammals, and plants found there. Records kept on iNaturalist, eBird and paper are priceless. FOSS asks all those who agree with the need to save this site to keep watching the FOSS website for more details about how you can participate. Your help is needed. Please volunteer.

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COYOTE CONCERNS: There is a problem with people who feed coyotes at Col. Sam. Police will not respond unless an “incident” occurs. One of the three animals present in the park has become very friendly and is, at times, mistaken for a dog. There is great concern that this particular animal is becoming habituated and that, in future, it may approach visitors in a quest for food. If no food is produced, the animal may bite. FOSS has contacted 311 and will confer with a park by-law officer. PLEASE: DO NOT FEED THE COYOTES (a fed coyote is a dead coyote) and report any illegal feeding to 311.

Toronto’s by-laws state the following:

The Parks bylaw (TMC Chapter 608, Article II 608-36) prohibits the feeding or attempt to feed or deposit food for consumption by wildlife. No person shall kill, attempt to kill, maim, injure, trap or disturb wildlife in City parklands. No person shall fish in an area posted to prohibit fishing.

 

Visitors are asked to notify the police at 416 808-2200 for drug/fireworks 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 25, 2021

7:01 PM, Via Zoom Video Conferencing

 

PUMPKIN PARADE: FOSS’s second annual Pumpkin Parade is scheduled for November 1. Bring your carved pumpkin and candle to the  drop off point located at the traffic circle by the south parking lot between 5:30 and 6:30PM. Lighting will be between 6:30-7:30PM. Pumpkins will be composted after the event.

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FOSS WEBSITE: The e-transfer feature of the Membership section on the FOSS website has been streamlined and is working well. The security question has been eliminated.

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COL. SAM SMITH PARK TREE PLANTING (UPDATE): The city has now erected protective fencing around the recent planting that is located along the eastern side of the Large Bowl.

Park users are asked to notify FOSS if they observe any interference/destruction at this site.

 

GREBE PLATFORMS: FOSS’s four grebe platforms have been retrieved from the marina and are now being stored at the yacht club. When dry, they will be cleaned of zebra mussel accumulation and any necessary repairs will be made. Thanks to both Brian and Matthew Keaveney as well as to the yacht club for the use of their facilities.

 

Visitors are asked to notify the police at 416 808-2200 for drug/fireworks infractions and 311 for trash build-up. Any problems reported to 311 are greatly strengthened when accompanied with a photo.

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Summary: FOSS Steering Committee Meeting       

September 27, 2021

7:02 PM, Via Zoom Video Conferencing

 

COL. SAM SMITH PARK TREE PLANTING: On September 25th four FOSS Steering Committee members joined a group of enthusiastic volunteers working under the auspices of Green Toronto to successfully plant a variety of shrubs (including witch hazel, ninebark and dogwood) along the eastern side of the Large Bowl. The exercise was initially suggested by FOSS and aims to provide greatly needed food and protective cover for migrating birds. FOSS thanks all the volunteers and City of Toronto staff that made this event possible.

Park users are asked to notify FOSS if they observe any interference/destruction at this site.

 

LONG BRANCH TREE FEST (Marie Curtis Park): Sunday, October 3. 12-4PM. COVID Safety Protocols in effect. Children’s activities, nature walks, live music and much more. For additional information, refer to www.longbranchtreefest.ca.

 

Visit the FOSS display table where the theme is TREE SWALLOWS. Learn more about these beautiful birds and FOSS’s efforts to protect them and to encourage their nesting at Col. Sam. Pick up a Tree Swallow button or hat. Learn more about other FOSS projects such as winter birdfeeders along the skating trail and Red-necked Grebe nesting platforms in the marina.

 

Become a FOSS member. Pick up an information brochure/membership application.

Visitors are asked to notify the police at 416 808-2200 for drug/fireworks infractions and 311 for trash build-up. Any problems reported to 311 are greatly strengthened when accompanied with a photo.

 

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