SSP Construction Update meeting with TRCA - completion now delayed to 2029

DASSP attended last night's TRCA meeting on park construction. As I was the first person to arrive, I had all 3 of the folks to speak to.

TRCA stated that completion is now delayed a year, to 2029. This is no surprise as TRCA has a terrible record of completion on all their projects in S. Etobicoke over the last few years.

They stated that all the large gravel will be removed, and replaced with the original pea gravel, after re-grading, as before. Apparently, they took photos of the original pathways to use as a reference.

I asked that DASSP and FOSS have a walkthrough of the pathways, beaches and surroundings near the end of the project, to assess any issues identified or outstanding. Hopefully there will soon be access to a beach, for disabled park users, as there now is at Marie Curtis. Time will tell.

The gravel issue is huge for wheelchair users, mobility impaired and elderly folk with balance constraints

Path between the Jean Tweed Centre and Humber is now safe for Elderly and Disabled.

Last week, 311 workers finally repaired the path between Jean Tweed and Humber! This path, which leads toward Sam Smith Park both ways, had been in a terrible state of disrepair for quite a long time. 

DASSP is glad to see that this little part of the world will be a lot safer for elderly and disabled from now on.

Rebuilding the beaches at Sam Smith Park - Disability Impact 2025

The park fencing has gone up as of the end of 2024, and we are anticipating heavy construction vehicles over the first 3 to 4 months of 2025. This has already been delayed by 8 months.

The vehicles will likely ruin the eastern pea gravel path going into SSP. This, combined with the soft and muddy ground resulting from the winter freeze/thaw cycle, will likely disrupt the spring return of wheelchair and elderly folks into the park.

Hopefully the work will be well executed and completed in a timely fashion over the next 2-3 years, unlike the endless construction at Prince of Wales park, nearby at the end of Third St.

Time will tell....

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.

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.

Green Toronto Tree Planting - May 11th 10am - Partnering with DASSP and FOSS

DASSP will be partnering with Green Toronto and FOSS,  for a tree planting of Native trees and shrubs, across from the Pavillion, near Warbler Woods.

Please register and join us !

Colonel Samuel Smith Park Planting Event Wednesday, May 11 • 10 am - 12 pm Join us for a morning of planting trees and shrubs at Colonel Samuel Smith Park. One of Toronto's most unique parks, it's known for great bird watching and a great waterfront view. Native trees and shrubs will be planted to enhance the forest understory and provide valuable habitat. Event partners: Friends of Sam Smith Park and Disabled Allies of Sam Smith Park

Cancellation Policy & Site Information

An event will be cancelled if there is a greater than 70% chance of thunderstorm forecasted, or if hazardous weather arises. We will notify registered volunteers by email at 8 am on the morning of the event if there is a cancellation; however events may be cancelled at any time if needed. Please email greentoronto@toronto.ca if you're not sure if an event has been cancelled.

Planting and stewardship site conditions vary. Contact greentoronto@toronto.ca for information on site conditions including accessibility. If you would like to request accessibility support or accommodation, contact us as soon as possible.

Woodlot Restoration - Removal of Invasive Norway Maple species, planting of Native species

Kaylyn, of Toronto Urban Forestry, has provided us an update:

"As discussed at our fall site meeting, this year we will be working to restore the lower portion of the woodlot north of the pond (see map below). The understory of this area has been heavily impacted by trampling, which has led to soil compaction, loss of understory vegetation and loss of overall plant diversity. A planting event is being scheduled to take place in spring 2022 to help replace understory vegetation and increase plant diversity. Prior to the volunteer planting event, our forestry field crews will take on some site preparation work, including woody invasive species management and installation of temporary fencing.   

Woody invasive species management will help prevent native plant species from being out competed by invasive plant species. This work will involve the removal of a number of smaller diameter stems, mostly Norway Maples, and approximately 17 invasive trees between 10-20cm diameter. Without management, Norway maples will crowd out and shade native vegetation and young trees, preventing understory vegetation from establishing. Pesticides will be applied directly to each individual cut stump to prevent them from aggressively re-sprouting.

Woody invasive removal work is anticipated to begin mid - February. Brush piles may remain on site for a few weeks until our vehicle is able to access this site for their removal (weather dependent). Fencing will then be installed in early spring prior to planting to discourage further trampling and allow newly planted material to establish.

The overall goal of this project is to restore the forest understory and  improve habitat conditions for birds and other wildlife. 

Native species to be planted this spring will include white pine, red oak, bur oak, serviceberry, dogwood, choke cherry and raspberry."

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 !