Rebuilding the beaches at Sam Smith Park - Disability Impact

NOTE: This activity has now been delayed a few months, until June 2024

Today I wheeled through the park and encountered a band of surveyors between the pond and third beach.

I spoke to the lead surveyor who stated that they were measuring the pea gravel paths to determine their width for heavy equipment which would be required to carry out the work next year.  Additionally, he was there to determine the impact of the heavy equipment on tree roots underneath the path.

This work will definitely impact the access of disabled park users, as the heavy equipment on the heavy traffic pea gravel routes would likely become impassable by wheelchair users, while vision impaired visitors would likely be unable to process audible environmental clues needed to make their way through the park unaided.

DASSP has learned of a Lakeshore Grounds Committee community group, of with FOSS is a member, operating out of Humber College, which learns of these project ahead of time.  DASSP will be seeking to participate in these meetings going forward, so that we can represent the needs of the mobility, visibility and hearing impaired park users, as well as the elderly.

As far as DASSP is aware, this work would commence sometime in 2024.  We would seek to ensure that all paths remain wide enough for disabled access, and advise on any other access impact/issues that we are currently unaware of.

Baby Snapping Turtles at Sam Smith Park

DASSP members participated in a Turtle Watch hatching over the weekend.  

Over 30 baby Snapping Turtles were released to the ground, very near the water, to allow the juveniles to find their own way down to the water safely, and without predation. While this species is not endangered, it is threatened.  

There are 3 other nests around the pond, so we will be hoping for further hatchings and releases throughout the remainder of the late summer and into autumn.

Dog Park accessibility opposite the Sam Smith Powerhouse.

DASSP has followed up with Jorge, from Toronto Parks, on this important issue (please see our earlier post).

The dog park remains largely inaccessible to our members in wheelchairs (both manual and power) due to the uneven tree roots and post rain mud and mire.

Please stay tuned.  We are hoping to have this sorted or at least an update before the autumn rainy season.

Assembly Hall - ART ON THE BRAIN : May 16 - June 14

The Brain Injury Society of Toronto is currently presenting an Art Exhibition at the Assembly Hall entitled "ART ON THE BRAIN" until June 14.  

These talented disabled artists have produced quite a thought provoking array of pieces. Please drop in and have a look on your way in or out of Sam Smith Park over the next few weeks.

Apologies to the artists for the poor quality of my pics.

SSP Spring Bird Festival - Saturday May 27, 10 am - 2 pm

Please bring your kids and family! Fun for everyone! 

Making the SSP Dog Park accessible for Wheelchair and Elderly dog owners

DASSP has made an application with Toronto Parks to make the Dog Park, just west of the Powerhouse, accessible and inclusive to all dog owners, and their wonderful dogs!

As you can see from the photo below, the muddy (after rain), uneven and exposed tree rooted terrain is unsuitable for walking, mobility impaired elderly, as well as manual/power wheelchairs and scooters. 

This remediation is long overdue and hopefully will be corrected in an urgent and timely manner. Please stay tuned...

  

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The two Maternity Bat Boxes have been installed in the Park!

After a long wait since late last summer, TRCA has finally installed the final two Bat Boxes in the Park, opposite the Observation Deck!

These are maternity boxes, so hopefully they will increase the number of little Brown Bats in SSP, as the species is drastically declining due to white nose disease.

Jessica of Toronto Parks stated; "The boxes were paired on the two best options with the S or E orientation and were labelled with large number markings so they can be distinguished from the viewing platform should anyone wish to report any activity".

These boxes are not black, as the previous bat boxes were, and can be seen from the observation deck, as Jessica mentioned.

Let's all hope for lots of exciting and enhanced bat watching in the Park this summer!