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!

Inaccessible Tree and Shrub planting in Sam Smith's Warbler Woods

Earlier this month, a number of DASSP volunteers participated in the planting at Warbler Woods, across from the Pavillion in the park! The event was sponsored by Toronto Forestry and the TRCA.  

Unfortunately, DASSP was not notified by Toronto Forestry of a change in location, which differed from the flat, wheelchair accessible one agreed last summer.  When we arrived, the planting was completely being conducted in a rough area INSIDE Warbler Woods, which consisted of muddy ground with many branches strewn about limiting access, participation and enjoyment of the event, for physically disabled participants.

We were told of a "communications breakdown" resulting in lack of notification, but to date, we have not been advised by Toronto Forestry of how this happened, and what steps of remediation will be taken to ensure it does not happen again.  Obviously this is problematic and disheartening for our minority, as we are often subjected to being excluded in our lives, and our main goal is an inclusive park experience.

DASSP was listed in Toronto Forestry literature for the event, as a sponsor and promoting group. 

Hopefully, we will eventually hear back and be advised of what happened and receive assurances that this awful experience will not be repeated.

On the bright side, we were planting side-by-side with many developmentally disabled planters and helpers!  We planted many native trees and shrubs and hopefully all will be a great addition to the reforestation of this habitat within the park.

Many thanks to the DASSP members Vesty, Walt and Rob for turning out, as well as our new additions, Bob, Rob and Josephine, who did the majority of digging and ground work! 

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 !

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 !