October 20 - another successful nature walk with beautiful fall colours. Drew Monkman was a very informative guide. Jim Demers offered to lead a winter walk if we wanted.
Aug 7 - Planning meeting discussion of 6 hours left everyone numb again and the EA was rejected - finally - but a referendum on the parkway was approved. Final approval will be in October at a council meeting.
July 31
July 29 Planning meeting was very interesting. Brent Wood gave an excellent presentation as did Stan Nowicki. James Burrett suggested that the parkway be delayed 5 years while the city took the necessary steps to take it out of the official plan. Aug 7 the planning meeting continues with all councillors present for debate. Trent Radio will broadcast the meeting at 7 pm on Friday August 2. I am attempting to get city hall to allow us to broadcast all meetings at city hall.
July 26
Beyond the Parkway, a Peterborough citizen's coalition dedicated to lobbying for more progressive transportation policies, announced today a "Green Ribbon Campaign".
In order to show support for more progressive transportation policies, all city residents are being urged to tie something BRIGHT GREEN in their front yard or on their front porch. Green ribbons, green scarves, green bows and green Christmas wreaths are examples of what might be used. Green ribbons to be worn on the sleeve are also being distributed.
Rather than waste money on lawn signs, Beyond the Parkway will donate $500 to Green Peace Canada to help with environmental causes. This donation was made possible by the generosity of single Beyond the Parkway member who wishes to remain anonymous.
Beyond the Parkway believes that the desire to spend twenty to forty million dollars on a new road when there are so many other urgent priorities indicates a lack of judgment by some city politicians.
Beyond the Parkway believes some city politicians are suffering from a severe lack of judgment as indicated by their desire to spend twenty to forty million dollars on a new road when there are so many other urgent priorities in the city.
Discover the Backyard You Never Knew You Had !
July 14 - There were over 100 people who showed up for the nature walk today so I'm glad I rented the megaphone! Mark Williamson and Jerry Ball gave us a very informative talk about the different features of the area as we walked slowly along the trail.
There are many trees in the area that are unique and very old. At the beginning of the walk near Hilliard Street we stopped to admire one of the few remaining large Elm trees in Canada that is over 75 years old. Researchers from other provinces have studied it and have taken samples to try and find out why it survived the Dutch Elm Tree disease.
Further down the path are several very large white pine trees over 80 years old. These are similar in age and size to the ones growing in Jackson's Park. Further along the trail we observed the white cedar forest that protects the entire downhill slope from being washed away. This forest absorbs all the excess runoff during times of heavy rains. If a road was built this forest would be removed and severe flooding for those living below would probably result. We have already seen this happen where the parkway has been paved near St. Peter's High School. In the Bear's Creek ravine there is a cedar tree that is over 110 years old.
The following lists the variety of trees that grow in this area and as you can see it is quite diverse: Red Oak, Ironwood, Walnut, Butternut, White Ash, green Ash, Sugar Maple, Prickly Ash, Tartarian Honeysuckle, Siberian Elm, Common Buckthorn, Hawthorn, Balsam Poplar, trembling Aspen, Staghorn Sumac, Pin Cherry, American Mountain Ash, Apple and Crabapple
June 17 - city council sent planning report goes back to planning committee. This could be the end of the parkway and the beginning of the official greenway that will make Peterborough famous world wide.