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! 

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!

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 !