This message was posted with permission of the coordinator. Please note that I am not affiliated with the CCFEW, I am simply posting this after being contacted by them last week.
Good Birding Jacques Giraud Col. Sam Smith Park under attack Nature lovers urged to block skateboard project >From CCFEW Citizens Concerned about the Future of the Etobicoke Waterfront 03.04.06 Col. Sam Smith Park, a popular waterfront area south of Lakeshore Boulevard West at Kipling Avenue, has been described as the jewel of the parks system in south Etobicoke. Thousands of park users enjoy its natural beauty and are appalled that the City is proposing to build a noisy concrete skateboard facility and skating rink in this precious natural resource at a cost of $2.5 million. A brochure produced in partnership with the City describes the Lakeshore Grounds, part of which is the park. The land is important for its habitat conservation. The grounds contain over 1,200 trees and house many migrating birds, due to the shoreline location and nearby vegetation. Wetland creation projects enhance bird habitat conditions, adding to the ecological significance of the park. The mammoth concrete skateboard/skating rink project is planned for a site about 30 meters from wetland, a creek and trees and adjacent to the Waterfront Trail. For many park users, it is difficult to see how it could fit in such an environment. Yet the local councillor, Mark Grimes, continues to insist that the Sam Smith site is preferred over all other locations in south Etobicoke. A Toronto Ornithological Club spokeswoman has spoken passionately to City councillors about the importance of the area as a migratory bird corridor. Monarch butterflies are seen gathering in the park by the hundreds if not thousands each fall, resting before they begin their amazing flight over Lake Ontario and their long journey south. How the development will affect them is not known. In an assessment report done for the City butterflies are not mentioned despite the fact a butterfly garden was planted in the Lakeshore Grounds last summer. Citizens Concerned about the Future of the Etobicoke Waterfront (CCFEW) has monitored developments on Etobicokes waterfront for years. The group believes this project could permanently impair the environment and have an adverse impact on wildlife. We are appealing to environmental groups and individuals right across the City of Toronto to help us stop this construction in Col. Sam Smith Park says Brian Bailey, president of CCFEW. We are issuing a broad geographic appeal because all the parks are interconnected. Birds and butterflies know nothing about municipal boundaries and even less about political jurisdictions. They make use of parks in north Etobicoke as well as Sam Smith on the lakeshore as they migrate, he says. He stresses that CCFEW is not against a skateboard facility for south Etobicoke. What were saying is that skateboard projects dont belong in naturalized waterfront park settings. Its that simple, he says. Action you can take Citizens Concerned about the Future of the Etobicoke Waterfront need your help. No matter where you live in Toronto please call your local councillor. Access Toronto, the City Directory and information line, at 416/338-0338 can give you the councillors number. Tell them that a skateboard/skating rink project doesnt belong in Col. Sam Smith Park in south Etobicoke. If they tell you the park is not in their ward, tell them the birds know nothing about municipal and ward boundaries and that you expect your local council representative to speak to their colleagues and persuade them to stop the development. The local councillor is Mark Grimes. His telephone number is 416/397-9273, e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mayor David Millers office telephone is 416-397-CITY (2489) e-mail <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Etobicoke-Lakeshore MPP Laurel C. Broten is also the Ontario Minister of the Environment. Her telephone number is 416-259-2249 and email is <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Check CCFEWs website at www.ccfew.org or call 416-253-9811 for further information.
