The Footbridge over the Creek is now wheelchair semi-friendly again!

One of the main issues that remained, following all the recent improvements identified by DASSP, was the fact that the Creek footbridge, between the narrow path into the park from the schools and the playing Oval, had become unfriendly for those using wheelchairs.

Over time, the soil on either side had fallen away from the cement, like the issue previously fixed at the Pavillion.

The good news is that the problem has successfully been remediated, and it is now safe for those in power chairs.  

The bad news is that for those in manual chairs, the steep slope on the east side of the footbridge requires an extension of the handrails on either side, or a correction on the degree of incline into/from the Oval.

We are following up on that issue and hope to have it remediated in a timely fashion.

Lack of Bat Boxes in Sam Smith Park

In a recent meeting with Janette, Kaylyn and Monica of  Green Toronto, DASSP asked about installing some Bat boxes around Sam Smith Park.

Park visitors may have noticed, especially at dusk, that the Brown Bat population in SSP has crashed heavily over the last few years, likely due to "White Nose Syndrome" which is a fatal disease to the species.

DASSP is hoping that Green Toronto can assist us with this worthwhile endeavour and Janette agreed to reach out to TRCA and Parks staff to determine what is feasible! 

DASSP has also suggested that if feasible, TRCA could do a pilot study on the success of the project, if it does go forward.  

Our homeless bats await !

Planning for the SSP Spring Planting in May 2022

DASSP attended a meeting with FOSS and Toronto Forestry on Friday, locating sites for the upcoming Spring planting event to be conducted in mid-May of next year.

After a review of some of the locations near the dogwood patch, where FOSS will be doing some planting, DASSP and Toronto Forestry agreed that the SE fringe of the area near Warbler Woods, would be a great location.

The area selected is far enough from the main path, to be safe during Covid times, is flat, and is also close enough for Seniors and wheelchair users to navigate.

DASSP is looking forward to participating, and very pleased that this time, we were included in the planning process. 

Below is a picture of the accessible area selected by DASSP, for next year's planting;

Sam Smith Park photography from one of our members, Vesty!

Dunlins, Herons, Turtle laying eggs, Dragonfly and Stormy weather. Oh my!

Sam Smith Park - Green Toronto inclusive Planting event was a great success!

On Saturday the 25th, DASSP participated in the Planting event, sponsored by Green Toronto.

Walt, along with, Frank and Sue, a pair of able-bodied members of DASSP, were asked to plant 3 different, bird friendly, native shrubs along the North Eastern edge of the large bowl, behind The Gatehouse.

We planted ninebark, witch hazel and and dogwood, and the timing was great, as a few hours later Mother Nature graced us with a rainstorm!

Many thanks to Janette Harvey and her friends at Green Toronto, for a well organized, and Covid distanced event! Participants were limited by pre-registration and completion of Covid assessments and forms.

Let's hope that this time next year, the birds are as happy as everyone at DASSP and FOSS were!

Inclusive Tree Planting confirmed for September 25th by Green Toronto

Janette Harvey of Green Toronto confimed to DASSP today, that the upcoming event at Sam Smith Park will be inclusive for Disabled and Seniors! 

Due to Covid protocols, only a limited number of participants are able to attend, and the slots have already been reserved for this year. 

Additionally, Green Toronto also confirmed that planning for the yearly events, starting in 2022 will also include feedback from both DASSP and Friends of Sam Smith Park (FOSS) on site selection so that accessible sites are located and approved. 

Many thanks to Janette, and all the folks at Green Toronto for listening and rapidly responding to the important issues which DASSP had outlined. 

Let the trees take root!

September 25th - Inclusive Tree Planting site selection at SSP, by Urban Forestry and Green Toronto.

This morning DASSP had a meeting with Ray Vendrig of Toronto Urban Forestry, and Scott Laver of Green Toronto.

In the meeting DASSP outlined the issues regarding the lack of inclusivity for the upcoming Tree Planting at Sam Smith Park on Saturday, September 25th.

Ray and Scott outlined the process of site selection, as it exists now, and noted that DASSP had not been included the the original site selection onsite review which occurred with FOSS only, early this year.

We are assured that DASSP will be included in the site selection next year, to ensure that inclusive planting sites are chosen from now on.

DASSP outlined three (3) inclusive sites for this month's event. Two of the sites are flat and currently occupied by goldenrod, while the other is a previously used tree planting area beside the Pavillion.  The site will be selected next week during another meeting, and all three sites support bird life and migration, while paying attention to the creation of shade as well.

This year's tree planting for Disabled and Seniors, would unfortunately, be on a different site, from the one selected by FOSS.

The meeting culminated with a discussion on tweaking the actual yearly planning process, to ensure that DASSP is involved for SSP planting events, and that other Disabled and/or Senior groups are involved in events throughout Urban Toronto Green parks, to support the inclusive expansion of the valuable tree canopy in Toronto.

Urban Forestry and Green Toronto both stated that they support DASSP's goal of all Toronto Park events being inclusive for all Black, LGBTQ+, Disabled, Islamic, Senior, Aboriginal, etc., citizens !

Stay tuned for next week's update !

September 25th Green Toronto Tree Planting at Sam Smith Park is NOT scheduled to be Disabled Friendly !

DASSP became aware of a tree planting event at SSP in September, sponsored by Green Toronto. 

We immediately reached out to our contact at Toronto Forestry, who was on vacation, but kindly gave us the group email for Green Toronto. 

DASSP was contacted by the City of Toronto's, Scott Laver from their Natural Environment and Community Programs Unit, who help coordinate the annual Spring and Autumn planting events. 

Green Toronto has said that it is too late to not discriminate against Disabled and Seniors in S. Etobicoke, at Sam Smith Park due to "internal communications and approvals required to plant at any given location".

DASSP has reached out to Mayor Tory and Councillor Grimes to determine who approved to discriminate against Disabled and Seniors, in this much anticipated bi-annual event. 

Our understanding is that ALL Toronto public events MUST be inclusive to LGBTQ+, Islamic, Disabled, Black, Aboriginal, Seniors, etc. ? 

With one month to go before the planting we are hoping that Green Toronto and DASSP can find a timely solution to the event, and moreover, educate Green Toronto, in how to correctly plan inclusive tree planting, and other events throughout Toronto in 2022 and beyond.

The Pavillion is finally Wheelchair and Senior friendly!

After almost 2 years of effort by DASSP, the Pavillion is once again Wheelchair and Seniors friendly!

Over time, the earth around the concrete base had settled to the point where it had become very dangerous (and almost impossible) to independently enter or leave the Pavillion. During sudden inclement weather and rainstorms, our group was unable to seek refuge in a safe and easy way. 

Now the Pavillion is once again inclusive for all, including families with strollers or prams!

Many thanks to Toronto Parks, Councillor Grimes, Mayor Tory and 311 staff, for all their efforts on this important remediation!

Sam Smith Park Cleanup - Sunday, April 18th, 9 am -3 pm !

Please help us to keep our Park clean! Social distancing rules will apply.

Wheelchair and Senior Friendly Park Benches at SSP !

Last autumn, the Parks Department installed a number of wheelchair friendly park benches near the eastern entrance to Sam Smith Park, at the end of Lakeshore Rd, in New Toronto. 

The benches have an extended pad, wide enough for a wheelchair user to sit beside someone while facing the Park, looking out towards the lake.  This wider pad is also useful for Seniors using their walker to sit in, making it easier to enjoy a conversation while sitting at the proper height for easy standing, upon departure.

Hats off to Jorge and his workmates from Toronto Parks and Recreation !

Braille signage in Sam Smith Park

Winter is a slow time for DASSP, and our members, as the cold, poor weather, and ongoing pandemic limit our ability to be out and about enjoying the park and its wildlife.

That's not to say that we haven't been beavering away behind the scenes.  Recently, Janette, from Toronto Forestry has been asking about the Braille signage we are most interested in obtaining for Sam Smith Park.   

One of our members, Vesty Roze, has forwarded his resource materials on the subject, and Janette will be following up, as she is extremely interested, and is one of our key Allies, who was instrumental in correcting the surface of the Observation Deck last year.

Let's hope we have some progress on Braille, and we will be following up in the coming months.

For more information please see:

CNIB Braille Signage resources