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Highlights of the HPCAC year 2005-2006By Ron AllanIt was decided at last year’s Annual Meeting to forgo the production of an Annual report and, in its place, record the highlights of the year in general and in our volunteer and allied City-sponsored programs in the Newsletter.One of the highlights was a Planning Day in February on “Shaping the Future of High Park”. Over 70 people participated, including a number of local residents, many of whom were unaware of the work pf HPCAC/HPI and their volunteer programs. The meeting produced a number of core values which were felt to be vital to the success of High Park in the near and longer term. These principles were modifi ed somewhat by the HPCAC Executive and approved with minor changes at the May 24th Council Meeting as follows:• Preservation, protection and restoration of the natural environment of the

Park• Preservation of the historical heritage of the Park• Restricted commercial encroachment• Inclusion of stakeholders in Park use and planning• Maintaining a balance of serenity and play• Political and public commitment to economic stability• Promotion of public environmental education in and out of the Park• Ensuring that the park is safe and accessible

continued on page 5...

The connection between oak decline and wildlife habitat in High ParkCara Webster, Natural Resource SpecialistCity of Toronto, Urban Forestry, Parks, Forestry & RecreationThe forest landscape in High Park has changed dramatically in the past 10 years due to the signifi cant decline of oak trees in the park. The past practice of removing all dead wood from the park has now been reversed where possible to improve soil conditions and provide wildlife habitat. The oak decline has resulted from trees reaching maturity and has been accelerated by multiple stressors including pollution, insect infestations, drought and soil compaction caused by human uses for recreation. There has been an ongoing tree health monitoring program in High Park since 2002 to monitor oak decline, conducted by Urban Forestry Health Care Inspectors. Oak regeneration has been impacted by the exclusion of wildfi re, invasive plant invasions, past mowing practices in natural areas and acorn predation by squirrels. Due to the initiation of a prescribed burn program, removal of invasive plants and active replanting by Urban Forestry staff and volunteers, oak regeneration is now found in several areas of the park. continued on page 6...

About Us 2Calendar of Events 3High Park Map 4High Park News 5-10High Park Groups 11-14

Built Environment &Safety Committee 15Children’s Garden 15Colborne Lodge 17Nature Centre 18

Natural EnvironmentCommittee 19High Park Initiatives 20

Contents...

HIGHPARKNEWSSUMMER 2006 VOLUME 9

Contact us...infoline: (416) 392-1748 website: www.highpark.orgYou can fi nd up-to-date information on the various programs through our infoline and on our website.HPCAC Executive 2005/06Chair Robin SorysVice-Chair Mark EllwoodSecretary Ken SharrattTreasurer Elizabeth LisNatural Environment CommitteeChair Karen YukichBuilt Environment & Safety CommitteeChair Paul HindleProgram CommitteeChair Ron AllanParks, Forestry & Recreation Ex-offi cioRepresentative Helen SousaColborne Lodge Ex-offi cioRepresentative Cheryl HartCouncillor Bill SaundercookCommunications Coordinator DeAnn JamesVolunteer Coordinator Jennifer FordeHPCAC Members-at-large elected June 2006Ron Allan Joshua BizjakJohn Cleary Robert GloverMerle Hudson Richard JoosKaryn Morris Grace PetrucciBernard Sanders Marcella Thomas

HPCAC Members-at-large elected June 2005Linda Curnoe Mark CyrMark Ellwood Elizabeth LisSharon Lovett John RomanovHPCAC Volunteer Program GroupsChildren’s Events Robin SorysHYPE K-9 Committee Jane BrownPark Watch Gloria WorthVolunteer Stewardship Program Jean VesikWalking Tours Nature Centre pro temMembers Representing Residents Assns.Bloor West Village R.A. Al DenovWest Bend R.A. Ken SharrattHigh Park R.A. Karen PalkowskiParkdale R.A. Graig PeskettRoncesvalles-MacDonell R.A. Peter ElsonSunnyside Community Assn Rinna BraySwansea Area R.A. Members RepresentingLong Term InterestsToronto Entomologists’Association Karen YukichToronto Field Naturalists Wendy RothwellToronto Ornithological Club Don Barnett

Parkdale High Park Rotary Club Scott BartleMembers RepresentingBusiness/Park EntrepreneursGrenadier Group Steve CaragianakosCan-Stage Company Paul ShawOFVIC April CornellCity-sponsored Programs, non-voting membersColborne Lodge Cheryl HartChildren’s Garden & Exploring Toronto Programs Keely ForthMembers RepresentingRecreational StakeholdersHigh Park Baseball League John PrimeauHigh Park Tennis Club Jane DevanHigh Park Demons Youth Hockey Bruce TokiwaCommunity Bicycle Network Arlene ClementHoward Park Tennis Club Randy StillHigh Park InitiativesDirector/Secretary Paul HindleDirector/Treasurer Angie BegitschDirector/H.R. Robin SorysDirector Eleanor MortonDirector Merril MascarenhasDirector/Marketing Pam FergusonP,F&R Ex-offi cio Helen SousaNature Centre Diana Teal

Contributors to this issue:Ron Allan Cheryl Hart Diana Teal Jean Vesik

John Cleary Paul Hindle Devon Turcotte Bob Yukich

Mark Cooper Lisa Kemp Cara Webster Karen Yukich

Keely Forth Sharon Lovett Gloria Worth

Editor: Ron Allan (editor@highpark.org)

Assoc. editor, design and layout: Lisa Kemp

High Park Advisory CouncilHPCAC, a volunteer group, began as an interim Committee in 1993. It was recognized by the City of Toronto as the High Park Citizens’ Advisory Committee in 1995. Its name was changed to the High Park Community Advisory Council in 2003.HPCAC is made up of a broad range of Park users, including individuals and representatives of organized groups. These include local ratepayer/residents’ associations, recreational stakeholders, long-term interest groups such as the Toronto Field Naturalists, business/park entrepreneurs and a number of members-at-large from the community. The Council meets on a regular basis and meetings are open to the public.The HPCAC mandate is:

• to facilitate ongoing public input and assistance in the stewardship of High Park for present and future generations of Park users

• to provide public input on Park policies, goals and objectives to the Parks, Forestry and Recreation, City of Toronto

• to facilitate volunteer involvement in Park initiatives• to promote public awareness and responsible

stewardship of the Park

High Park InitiativesAn affi liated charitable corporation called High Park Initiatives (HPI) was founded in 2003 to raise funds in support of various Park programs and activities. HPI has also assumed responsibility for managing the High Park Nature Centre, an education program operated jointly by staff and volunteers.

HPCAC CommitteesThe work of the Council is carried on through two standing policy committees, the Natural Environment Committee, and the Built Environment and Safety Committee. Meetings of these committees are open to the public and your participation is welcome.In addition, the Program Committee sponsors six volunteer-led programs in the Park.

• Children’s events• High Park Youth Protecting the Environment (HYPE)• K-9 Working Group, dog owners and walkers• ParkWatch• Volunteer Stewardship Program• Walking Tours

This committee also liaises closely with the Nature Centre, and City sponsored programs such as Colborne Lodge Museum and the Children’s Garden and Exploring Toronto Programs, both located near the south end of the Park.All activities are conducted on a regular basis throughout the year.

2 About Us...

september1 HPI Movie Night6 HPCAC Executive Meeting10 VSP Planting Event10 Walking Tours Birds of Fall13 HPI Board Meeting14 HPCAC Website Planning Meeting15 HPI Movie Night17 High Park Terry Fox Run23 Nature Centre Saturday Morning Naturalist Club24 VSP Plant Sale Preparation24 Walking Tours Event26 Nature Centre Knee High Naturalists Tues Aft Club27 HPCAC General Council Meeting30 Children’s Garden Youth Cooking Program

october1 HYPE Event1 VSP, Colborne Lodge Harvest Festival4 Nature Centre Saturday Morning Naturalist Club8 Walking Tours Event10 Nature Centre Knee High Naturalists Tues Aft Club11 NEC Natural Environment Meeting11 HPI Board Meeting15 VSP Buckthorn Cutting & Seed Collection15 HYPE Event21 Nature Centre Saturday Morning Naturalist Club22 Walking Tours Event24 Nature Centre Knee High Naturalists Tues Aft Club25 HPCAC General Council Meeting26,27 Colborne Lodge Haunted High Park for Adults28 Colborne Lodge Haunted High Park for Families29 VSP Fence Repair & Trail Closure29 Children’s Event Pumpkin Float

november1 HPCAC Executive Meeting4 Nature Centre Saturday Morning Naturalist Club5 Walking Tours Event7 Nature Centre Knee High Naturalists Tues Aft Club8 HPI Board Meeting12 VSP Buckthorn Cutting18 Nature Centre Saturday Morning Naturalist Club19 Walking Tours Event21 Nature Centre Knee High Naturalists Tues Aft Club22 HPCAC General Council Meeting25,26 Colborne Lodge Wreath Making Workshop26 VSP Buckthorn Cutting & Grape Removal30 Colborne Lodge Wreath Making Workshop

december2 Nature Centre Saturday Morning Naturalist Club2,3 Colborne Lodge Wreath Making Workshop5 Nature Centre Knee High Naturalists Tues Aft Club6 HPCAC Executive Meeting7,9 Colborne Lodge Wreath Making Workshop9,10 Colborne Lodge Centre-Piece Workshop8 HPI Board Meeting14 Colborne Lodge Centre-Piece Workshop

december continued...16,17 Colborne Lodge Children’s Trimming Workshop16 Colborne Lodge Decorate a Tree for the Birds Workshop17,19 Colborne Lodge Lantern Making Workshop20 Colborne Lodge Lantern Making Workshop22 Colborne Lodge Winter Solstice Procession

HPCAC: High Park Community Advisory CouncilHYPE: High Park Youth connecting People and the EnvironmentNEC: Natural Environment CommitteeVSP: Volunteer Stewardship Program

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3 Calendar of Events...

Dog Hill

LesyaUkrainkaMemorial

VSPAdopt-a-plots

VSPBoulevard Beds

GrenadierRestaurant

PortugeuseMonument

The Sunken Garden

HowardBurial Site/Memorial

Children’sGardens

ColborneLodge

Jamie BellAdventurePlayground

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The Queensway

Grenadier Pond

Spring Creek

Lake Shore Blvd

Black Oak Savannah

E.D. LottMemorial

NatureCentre

Sculptures

ForestrySchool

Bloor Street West

UpperSedimentationPonds

Howard ParkTennis Club

TennisCourts

Stormwater Treatment

4 High Park Map...

Highlights of the HPCAC year 2005-2006 continued...A number of ideas for making the Park a better, more accessible place were also developed.Children’s EventsAs in previous years, the three traditional family events were offered – the Pumpkin Float at Halloween, Winter Fun Day (the -15º weather wasn’t so much fun!) and the Easter Egg Hunt on Palm Sunday. All were well attended and thoroughly enjoyed.Park WatchDuring the year we recorded:

• 463 people hours• 63 inquiries and general information requests;

105 chats• 76 requests for directions• 24 warnings regarding use of charcoal Barbeques• 3 cases on bikes on trails• 8 warnings regarding feeding animals and birds• 4 instances of picking plants• 14 dogs off leash

Clearly, Park Watch is fulfi lling its role of providing a friendly presence in the park, fi elding inquiries and warning by-law offenders with tact.Walking ToursDuring the year, 15 walking tours were offered during the summer and winter periods reaching over 250 adults and children. The program has been taken over on an interim basis by the Nature Centre.Volunteer Stewardship ProgramDuring the 2005-2006 year, we held 31 events with 362 participants, compiling a total of 1210 person-hours of volunteer effort.K-9 Committee

• 6 meetings during the year with an average attendance of 12.

• 1 major cleanup event, 3 minor• 3 motions made to HPCAC• 28 signs installed (including repeats)• $350 in donations received

Report on Survey and ballot questions (20 respondents)• participants: 65• distance traveled to reach park (based on postal code) 2.6 km • number of dogs walked (average): 1.3 • number of walks per day (average): 1.3 times per day • times walked: morning: 52%, afternoon: 11%, evening: 37%• biggest complaints: bikes in off-leash area, lack of signs and

condition of trails• suggested improvements: better fencing and improved trail material

• about 75% of the people who fi lled out the survey form would be willing to pay a small voluntary fee to offset the cost of improvements.

HYPE (High Park Youth Protecting the Environment)Despite diligent efforts, we were unsuccessful in reviving the HYPE program. We are hopeful of having more success this fall.High Park Nature Centre The Nature Centre program continued to grow throughout the year, with the introduction of several new family-based programs. Thousands of adults, youth and children from the community, local pre-schools, elementary and secondary schools, day care centres and community centres got their hands dirty and hearts engaged in the stewardship of High Park. Participation was at an all time high at:

• 2136 students from local schools (seed collection, fall and spring planting, winter ecology programs, orienteering, and Hawkwatch)

• 735 children from day care/community centres• 425 adults and children in family nature programs

In addition, 1100 native plants were planted and 1000 seed balls tossed into the park.Also, 25 volunteer nature interpreters were trained and donated over 2500 hours of time during the year. Colborne LodgeTotal participation in Lodge programs was 11,843.This breaks down into:

• 4966 Groups (Birthday parties, ESL, Education, Travel Trade, etc.)

• 6106 General public tours, drop-in events and• 771 in pre-registered programs (children’s camps,

craft workshops, classes, etc.)High Park NewsThe quarterly newsletter completed its second year of publication and continues to be well received. Besides recording the activities of our various volunteer and allied city-sponsored programs, a number of interesting articles have been offered including (with the volume number in brackets): Protecting the Oak Savannah (5), Spring Creek (6), Urban Birds (6), Winter Photography (7) and Wendigo Creek (7). Jean Vesik almost completed the ABCs of the VSP (wildfl ower profi les) during the cycle. In the current issue, she reaches the end of the alphabet and begins again! Back issues of the News are archived on our improved, up-to-date website (www.highpark.org )

HPCAC – 11th Annual MeetingBy High Park CorrespondentThe 11th HPCAC Annual Meeting was held on Wednesday, June 21 at the Grenadier Café and Teahouse. 38 Council members, volunteers and local

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residents were in attendance along with three members of Les Amis de la Montagne, a non-profi t organization involved with Montreal’s Mount Royal.After a round of introductions and greetings from Councillor Saundercook and High Park Operations Manager, Helen Sousa, enthusiastic reports of the past year’s activities were received from selected program heads and others.

• Jean Vesik reviewed the history of the Volunteer Stewardship Program and the introduction of Adopt-a-plots, the Boulevard Beds Wildfl ower Garden, and regular plant sales to the public. She also outlined plans for celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Program on July 30th.

• In the absence of Diana Teal, Nature Centre Coordinator, Paul Hindle presented highlights of the Annual Report of the Nature Centre, copies of which were available at the meeting. A number of new family-based programs were introduced during the year. Also, joint holiday camps were run in partnership with Colborne Lodge.

• Mark Ellwood reviewed our Planning Day in February on “Shaping the Future of High Park” in which over 70 people participated. The Meeting generated a series of core values which were felt to be critical to the success of High Park in the near and longer term. These principles were modifi ed somewhat by the HPCAC Executive and approved by Council at its May 24th Meeting. They were presented here for fi nal approval.

• Karen Yukich reviewed the Natural Environment Committee’s activities and accomplishments during the year. A signifi cant innovation was the establishment of a NEC/K-9 Working Group to address areas of common interest.

• Jane Brown made some general remarks about the work of the K-9 Committee during the past year, including an intensive cleanup of Dog Hill and the surrounding area. John Cleary, head of the NEC/K-9 Working Group, spoke of fi ve concerns or priorities the Group is diligently pursuing – trail maintenance, signage, education, information, and fencing.

• Cheryl Hart reported on a successful year at Colborne Lodge including offering joint holiday camps with the Nature Centre. She displayed an attractive poster developed with various program heads listing summer activities in the Park. A similar fall poster is being planned.

The meeting then moved on to other items including:(1) Frequency of Council Meetings (the feeling was for 8 Council meetings during the year, along with the Annual Meeting),(2) A Letter of Understanding between HPCAC and HPI, which was approved by the Group, and

(3) A motion, with certain conditions, supporting Richard Joos’ Bird Banding Program.Seven new and three continuing members-at-large were nominated and approved for the 2006-2008 term. Their names are noted on page 2.The present executive was returned to offi ce for the ensuing year.The evening concluded with servings of ice cream generously supplied by the Grenadier Restaurant, which also served pizza at the start of the meeting.

The connection between oak decline and wildlife habitat in High Park continued...Urban Forestry staff are involved in both tree regeneration initiatives and hazard tree inspection and removal in High Park to promote healthy forests and to address public safety issues. A balance is targeted between maintaining park aesthetics and safety in manicured areas versus retaining wildlife habitat in natural areas of the park. Although dead wood left on the ground can look messy in the fi rst few months after it is cut down, over time the logs and branches are covered with native plants and are used by various wildlife species including insects, birds and small mammals. The dead wood retains moisture during drought and adds organic matter and nutrients back into the soil as it decomposes over time. The removal crews

are instructed to leave wood in large sections to mimic natural tree fall as much as possible, however this is not always possible depending on the location and condition of the dead tree and the equipment required to remove it. Some small brush piles can be left on site to provide wildlife cover, spaced apart to avoid smothering native vegetation. Large dead standing trees are also left in some places of the park to act as wildlife snags or cavity trees. Some of these trees are topped to remove heavy limbs that could become hazardous. Urban Forestry staff follow Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources guidelines regarding dead tree retention at six snags per one hectare

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area and deadfall retention at 10 logs per hectare. Red-tailed hawks use the dead branches as perches to hunt their prey. Downy and hairy woodpeckers also use the standing stems to feed on insects and can be heard throughout the forest. A large amount of resources have been dedicated to the removal of hazard trees and dead limbs in High Park in the last 3 years. Most of these trees have been dead oaks, but there has been a mix of other species throughout the park. The trees that are targeted for removal are along roads and major pathways in the park where they may endanger park users. Dead trees in natural areas are left standing if they are structurally stable and/or not within striking distance of a path. Some of these natural areas are not accessible to forestry

equipment and dead trees may be left in place to prevent further damage to the ecosystem with the introduction of heavy machinery if they are unsafe to climb. Forestry work in the natural areas is generally scheduled during the winter months when the ground is frozen to minimize disturbance to the ground and plant cover, however this is not always possible depending on removal crew work loads. In manicured areas, the dead trees are mainly removed completely since these areas are more heavily used by park users. Dead limbs and logs are not left on the ground in manicured areas to allow access for turf maintenance and to remove trip hazards etc. However, some snags and stumps have been left in place and have been cleverly

used by some groups for art display such as the stump in the south picnic area (see photo). One of the dead oak snags has also been carved this summer to turn the dead stem into a work of art.

The amount of resources dedicated to hazard tree removal in High Park over the past several years has delayed other Urban Forestry management targets to phase removals of non-native invasive trees such as Norway maple and Manitoba maple throughout the natural areas of the park. Urban Forestry hopes to continue this program to remove invasive trees where they are seeding heavily into open savannah habitat or causing slope erosion issues in some of the ravine areas through excessive shading. Any potential tree removals are always marked with green paint and/or tagged. Notices are also put up prior to tree removal in the High Park notice boards and posted along the perimeter of the targeted management areas.For more information about these forest management issues see the following websites:City of Toronto Urban Forestry:Oak decline, High Park Management Plan & Invasive Species information: www.toronto.ca/trees/ravines.htmCavity trees & dead wood retention:Ministry of Natural Resources Extension Notes http://ontariosforests.mnr.gov.on.ca/

The Gardens of High ParkBy Ron AllanIn one sense, the entire Park is a garden, an oasis in the middle of a busy urban setting. Yet, there are a number of distinct areas where particular gardens have been created. Let’s take a tour of the Gardens of High Park starting with the main entrance at High Park Avenue (see map of Park on page 4).The High Park Avenue EntranceThere have always been fl anking fl owerbeds at the main entrance but, in the last two years, they have been attractively enhanced by Park staff. Boulders have been brought from the Canadian Shield and placed in the beds amidst displays of native fl owers. Eastern white pine trees have been planted behind the fl owerbeds.The Butterfl y Garden a.k.a. Peace GardenThis garden was originally developed in 1995. Grades1/2 pupils from the High Park Alternative School grew and planted a number of fl owers native to the Park under the supervision of their teacher, Karyn Morris, one

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of our long-time High Park Council members. It remains a restful stopping place with its wildfl ower array, including more recently planted cupfl ower plants, some 10 feet tall. An undated bronze plaque set in a rock was later placed in the Garden, titled Peace Garden, “In recognition of today’s youth”.The Boulevard Beds Wildfl ower Demonstration GardenThis display was developed as a project of the Volunteer Stewardship Program at the perimeter of the Grenadier Café and Teahouse Parking Lot. The ground was dug up, sand and small boulders brought in and the whole area landscaped. A variety of native fl owers and shrubs were planted. The Boulevard Beds were offi cially opened in the late summer of 2004. With regular care and maintenance, it is a showcase of wild fl owers and shrubs common to the Park.The Hillside Ornamental GardensSome Ornamental Gardens were planted in the area south of the Grenadier restaurant as far back as the early 1900s. They were greatly augmented during the 1950s and 1960s. They now include:

• The Rock Garden: This beautiful display (one of my personal favourites) is located south and west of the Grenadier Café. A stream with a series of waterfalls meanders through a variety of fl owerbeds ending up at Grenadier Pond. (The water is recirculated from the Pond.) Each spring, it is a delight to see the Garden come to life providing, as it does, a habitat for waterfowl, birds, chipmunks and squirrels.

• The Maple Leaf Flower Bed: This impressive fl oral display, in the shape of a stylized sugar maple leaf, is located at the foot of the slope near the Rock Garden. It was offi cially opened by Queen Elizabeth during a visit to Toronto in 1958. The display is changed once or twice during the late spring and summer and is best appreciated from the top of the hill just beyond the Sunken Garden.

• The Sunken Garden: Off Colborne Drive South, this area has always been a pretty spot to wander through with its shrubs and water features (again using water recirculated from the Pond). Several years ago, the Ontario Branch of the Canadian Cancer Society came forward with a vision and a plan for redeveloping the site as a Garden of Hope, a memorial to those lost to breast cancer as well as for those who had survived the affl iction. Unfortunately, suffi cient funds could not be raised and the project was abandoned.

• The Hanging Garden: This charming site, just beyond the sunken gardens, with its variety of hanging plants, often provides a background for wedding party picture taking.

• There is a small rock garden in front of the Training Centre. Some of the pieces in the garden came from the ornate 1876 Customs House formerly located on Front Street West. The structure was demolished in 1919. Several carved stones were recovered and retained in the Park for a number of years until used as noted.

• There are several fl oral displays south and west of the old house originally built for John Howard’s tenant farmer, and smaller fl owerbeds on the fl at area just south of the restaurant.

It should be noted that, while many of these ornamental gardens are a welcome addition to the Park and enjoyed today by many visitors, there still remain some 50 hectares of natural Parkland, including patches of regionally rare black oak savannah, which Urban Forestry, working with the Volunteer Stewardship Program, is diligently restoring and enhancing.The High Park Children’s GardenThis is a City project initiated in 1998 to help

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children and youth from local schools and daycares to explore the basics of urban ecology and organic gardening. Through hands-on creative programming, participants are exposed to Toronto’s First Nations history, heritage, natural history, food preparation and a number of other topics. Wildfl owers, fruits, vegetables and culinary and herbs are planted and cared for in raised wooden fl owerbeds. The project includes a compost demonstration site. The Restored Gardens at Colborne Lodge John and Jemima Howard moved into Colborne Lodge in December, 1837, six months after Queen Victoria ascended the English throne. Like many in that era, the Howards shared a passion for gardening. They practised this art faithfully up until John’s death in 1890. (Jemima had predeceased him, dying of breast cancer in 1877).In recent years, the original garden layout and surrounding paths on the west side of the Lodge were carefully researched and laid out. Based on information contained in John’s meticulous journals, volunteers (The Friends of Colborne Lodge Gardens) and City staff, with fi nancial support from various sources, have recreated a Victorian Garden typical of the period 1860-1870 and similar to what the Howards would have enjoyed.The Kitchen Gardens on the east side of the Lodge have also been planted and nurtured to resemble what the Howards would have kept for their own use during this same period.The Allotment GardensThe Allotment Gardens were opened in 1974 and offer permitted plots to local gardeners for fruit, vegetable and fl ower plantings. They have been expanded from their original size and fenced to prevent theft of produce and tools. These gardens have successfully blended with the natural Park setting while providing an enjoyable recreational activity for Toronto residents.The Northeast Entrance to the Park: The northeast corner of the Park at the intersection of Bloor Street and Parkside Drive was the site of the Lott Memorial Fountain. The impressive water feature was

commissioned by the Lott family in 1961 in honour of a deceased member, H. D. Lott. For many years it was an attraction for birds, dogs and passers-by. In time, however, the plumbing supplying the water deteriorated and had to be shut off. The spot developed a forlorn look and was eventually fenced off for safety reasons.Currently, the area is being redeveloped by the City. It will again contain water features and suitable landscaping. With native tree and fl ower plantings, it will make a very attractive entrance to the Park, complementing the main entrance at High Park Avenue.Each of these gardens adds its own particular cachet to the Park. Take a tour and enjoy!

Rare Swallowtails in High ParkBy Bob YukichAlong with the abundance of fl owering plants in High Park and across the province this summer, many butterfl y species had an exceptional breeding season. Swallowtails and other larger species were particularly numerous. High Park had many resident Black Swallowtails and Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, including a rare second brood of the latter species in August.

The real excitement came when some of the rare, more southern species of swallowtail began showing up. In June, a Giant Swallowtail was seen on two separate occasions at the north end of High Park by Jay Palock. Around the same time, two more were reported along an old railway bed in the north end of the city. Until then, only a few had ever been recorded in Toronto and just one in High Park in August 2003.

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In early August a second brood of Giant Swallowtails began appearing at various locations along the north shore of Lake Ontario, as far east as Belleville, and in greater numbers than in June. I photographed this slightly worn male on August 10 at the ornamental waterfalls at High Park hillside gardens, as it nectared on Butterfl y Bush a few feet from me, oblivious to my presence.

Two days earlier I photographed this female Spicebush Swallowtail on the tablelands as it nectared on Liatris and Red Clover. This species is quite rare in High Park but has been known to breed in some years, using the abundant Sassafras as a host plant. It also uses Spicebush, its namesake, on which its larvae are usually more successful. This individual was likely an immigrant

from the south where it is more common along the shores of Lake Erie.Giant Swallowtail is common only in the southwestern part of Ontario (e.g. Point Pelee and Pelee Island) where the larvae feed on Hop Tree and Prickly Ash, neither of which occur naturally in our area (or not in numbers that would support a colony). Larvae of this species are also known to feed on ornamentals such as Gas Plant, as well as other citrus species in tropical regions.

Look for the Posters!

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Ontario Family Fishing EventBy High Park Correspondent The Ontario Family Fishing Derby was held in the Park

on Saturday, July 8th. The event was hosted by Toronto Parks. Forestry and Recreation, the Canadian National Sportsman’s Shows, the City of Toronto, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Greater Toronto Area Recreational Fishing Committee. Fishing equipment was provided to the large group of adults and children who assembled near the wharf on Grenadier Pond. It didn’t appear that too many fi sh were caught but everyone had a good time trying!

HYPEBy High Park CorrespondentWe are hoping to kickstart the HYPE program in the fall with several planned events.

K-9 CommitteeBy John ClearyA number of interesting and exciting changes have been occurring in the off-leash area and within the K-9 community during the summer months. On Dog Hill, there have been a number of improvements that visitors may have noticed. We now have a much-appreciated concrete slab around the fi re hydrant that serves as the watering station for dogs on the hill. The concrete slab replaces the dangerous and messy assortment of stone tiles that used to surround the hydrant. The replacement of the tiles was sparked by the increasingly poor drainage around the hydrant as well as the state of the tiles year round. To improve drainage, the concrete slab is now surrounded by crushed gravel and is slightly sloped so that water runs away from the picnic area and into a French drain on the other side. A proper drain for the concrete slab was considered but decided against given the proximity of the Dream site utilities, which would have resulted in signifi cant added expense.

Workers also replaced the rotting and split wood of one of the picnic benches to improve the seating area. The K-9 community would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to the staff of High Park and the Park Manager for the much-needed improvements to Dog Hill – two paws up for an excellent effort.Visitors may also notice the new fencing placed along the main off-leash trails just past the Allotment Gardens. This area was neglected in the original fencing plan for the off-leash area, an unfortunate oversight given the proximity to a patch of provincially rare Black Oak Savannah. Over time, the lack of fencing has lead to a widening of the trail and damage to the surrounding trees and forest fl oor. While no one likes to see more fencing in the park, as the saying goes “Good fences make good neighbours”. Now that the Black Oak Savannah is better protected, at least from the four-legged visitors, we hope long-term restoration efforts can begin in earnest.The K-9 Committee continues to work closely with the Natural Environment Committee (NEC) and the Volunteer Stewardship Program (VSP) to maintain the fencing in the off-leash area. The groups have recently focused on fi xing the fencing behind the Allotment Gardens, which, due to a number of fallen trees, is in poor condition. At the most recent event on July 25, a small group of volunteers, both two and four legged, worked to fi x vandalized fencing

along this path. In several places, fencing supports had been broken and the fence trampled, allowing access to the ravine. Working on a very hot night, the group reattached the fencing to the supports and ensured proper signs were in place. Volunteers looking to help maintain the off-leash area fencing are encouraged to contact the K-9, NEC, and/or VSP programs.On July 6th, a group of K-9 Committee

volunteers met to post new signs throughout the off-leash area. The Parks, Forestry and Recreation Department have generously provided a number of new signs to be used throughout the off-leash area. Through their interaction with the K-9 community, committee members have noted that many people don’t understand the limits of the off-leash area, mainly due to a lack of signs throughout the area. Fanning out into

two groups, the volunteers proceeded to attach signs in and around the off-leash area to inform both dog owners and general park users where the off-leash area

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is located and when it is appropriate to have animals off-leash. Park users are encouraged to report vandalized or removed signs to the K-9 Committee so that we can quickly replace them.The K-9 Committee has several events planned for the fall, including a Fall Cleanup day. This event, the sister event to our Spring Cleanup Day, will have the K-9 community helping to cleanup the garbage and waste that has accumulated throughout the summer and help prepare the park for the upcoming winter. The Committee is actively looking for local businesses wishing to donate items or services as prizes for the Cleanup day. If you know of an area that needs particular attention or wish to receive updates on the event, please contact the K-9 Committee. Plans are also under way for a Dog Hill Halloween social, complete with a doggie costume contest with prizes. More details can be found on our website closer to the time of the event.The K-9 Committee would like to draw the attention of the High Park community to the Dogs in Parks Strategy (DIPS). DIPS aims to set out a process to establish and govern, across the entire GTA, leash free zones by placing the key responsibilities on the Ward Councillor, local residents, as well as the Parks Supervisor and Manager. Given a disappointing lack of community consultation and being a hot-button issue in an election year, the DIPS report was returned to local communities for further discussion. The HPCAC is in an excellent position, due to the long standing presence of the off-leash area in the park, to offer the city advice on unsuccessful and successful ways to balance off-leash dogs, the natural environment and the park community as a whole. Individuals wishing to have more information and/or to offer suggestions about DIPS are encouraged to contact the K-9 Committee.The K-9 community is reaching out to the High Park community through our new website and phone number. If you have suggestions for improvements to the off-leash area, see something you think we should know about or just want to check up on the latest information about the off-leash area, check out the K-9 section of the High Park website (www.highpark.org) or call (416) 392-1748 and press 7 to leave a message. The K-9 Committee hopes to use these two new avenues of communication to reach out further into the K-9 and Park community.

Park WatchBy Gloria WorthAnother beautiful summer has ended. The Park was very busy along with a few incidents.We noticed a high level of illegal parking within the Park, the most popular was parking on the grassy areas near the picnic sites. Quite a few people were parking on the bicycle lane with an odd car on Allotment Garden Road and the road going to the Greenhouses.

I saw parking enforcement in the park about two weeks ago for the fi rst time. I contacted Helen Sousa and she said she would try and get them out on the weekends, which is also a thought for next summer.There were two incidents of geese getting their feet tangled in fi shing line and one is using only one leg. I was talking to the Wildlife Center and they were aware of these geese but have been unlucky in catching them. It’s still an open call.A good sign was that we saw a garter snake on Spring Road.We welcome two new volunteers - Laurel Tate and Glenn Dickler.

Volunteer Stewardship ProgramBy Devon Elizabeth Turcotte and Jean Vesik

The VSP volunteers have been very busy since the May plant sale. On June 4th site 10A near the Bloor St entrance was weeded and prepared for a planting that took place on Sunday June 18th. Twelve volunteers managed to plant 1300 plants in 2.5 hours that day.

Our volunteers have also been hard at work planting, weeding and pruning the Boulevard Beds this summer. In one event alone, 10 large kraft bags of plant material was removed from the beds. Adopt-a-plotters have also been hard at work weeding their plots and a few of them planted native wildfl ower, grasses and shrubs in the spring. The weather has been very favourable for many of the native species planted by the VSP. Big Bluestem, Indian Grass and Switch Grass are all thriving on the adopt-a-plots this year.This summer the VSP had only one fi eld trip to Todmorden Mills Wildfl ower Preserve on the July long weekend. Fourteen people made the trek to this 9 hectare natural area in the Don Valley and walked along the

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Oxbow Trail, a 0.5 km loop around a section of the Don River that was severed during construction of the Don Valley Parkway in the early 1960s. There are several habitats, a woodland, pond and swampy area, upland forest and meadow. The VSP volunteers came prepared with their fi eld guides and tried to identify many of the native plants they found along their way. Another highlight of the summer was the VSP 10th Year Celebration and pot luck meal held on Sunday July 30th. Approximately 30 people including several city staff and even some of the founding members of the VSP attended the pot luck and celebration. The event started off with

about 15 volunteers and restoration crew doing some weeding and maintenance of Black Oaks in site 10A. Delicious food and wonderful weather was enjoyed at the pot luck and many of the

volunteers had the opportunity to catch up with other volunteers they hadn’t seen in a while. This August the VSP spent their time cutting Himalayan Balsam down by Spring Creek, weeding in 10A, monitoring the adopt-a-plots and pruning and weeding the Boulevard Beds.As the summer winds down the VSP are getting ready for the fall activities. The big event coming up in the next couple of months is the semi-annual Native Plant Sale, which will take place on Sunday, October 1st, as part of the Harvest Festival. The plant sale will run from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Colborne Lodge. VSP volunteers and the High Park greenhouse staff will be preparing the

plants the week before, on September 24th. Our end-of-year potluck is also coming up on November 26th. Other events this fall include buckthorn cutting, seed collection, fence repair and trail closure with the City of Toronto restoration crew, all during our regular Sunday time of 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For regular events, VSP meets at the entrance to the Grenadier Café and Teahouse at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit our website at www.highpark.org/vsp.htm or call us at 416-392-1748. We look forward to seeing new and familiar faces at some of our events this fall!This edition of the ABCs of VSP brings us to the end of the alphabet, so we’ll be starting over from the beginning! This issue’s letters are Y, Z and A.Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.): Yarrow is commonly found in natural areas all over Ontario, including meadows, roadsides and lawns. This plant has also been found in the northwest corner of High Park and is one of several exotic species in the park. Yarrow is a perennial, and part of the aster or composite family Compositae. There are several ways of recognizing this plant. Its leaves are fi nely divided and feathery or ferny in nature, it is topped by clusters of small fl ower heads, with white ray fl orets and it has a sage-like aroma. Forms of this plant with pink, purple and yellow fl owers are cultivated as ornamental plants. The yarrow spreads through an underground root network, and can grow to between 54 and 108 cm (21 and 42 inches) tall. It fl owers from June to late fall. This is a very interesting plant. In the middle ages it was used for treating illness by stimulating sweating, reducing infl ammation and stopping bleeding. Young leaves were also used to make salad greens; older leaves provided a sage like seasoning or nourishing tea. Smoke from burning yarrow fl owers was said to repel both insects and evil spirits.Zigzag goldenrod (Solidago fl exicaulis): This plant is a native goldenrod to High Park and has been found in the south end of the park near Grenadier Pond. The zigzag goldenrod’s name comes from the zigzag shape of the stem. This perennial is part of the aster family (Asteraceae) and blooms in late summer and early fall. Zigzag goldenrods grow in small

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stands, preferably in shady wooded areas, and normally reach heights of 54 to 81 cm (21 to 32 inches). The most prominent feature of the zigzag goldenrod is that its yellow fl owers grow in small groups in the axils of the upper leaves of the plant.Green Dragon (Arisaema dracontium (L.) Schott): Although not found in High Park we thought this interesting and rare native Ontario plant deserved some attention. The green dragon is a relative of the Jack-in-the-Pulpit. The long, tapering tip of the spadix (“Jack”) resembles a lizard’s tongue and partly explains the plant’s name. Other ways to recognize this plant include its solitary, fan-shaped leaves, clusters of orange berries and its single pale green fl ower. The green dragon blooms in May and June and can grow to a height of 30 to 90 cm (12 to 36 inches). The stem is bitter to the taste and poisonous unless prepared properly. Indigenous groups and early European settlers used the plant for medicinal purposes. Since southern Ontario is at the northern limit of the green dragon’s range, it is likely that it was never a common plant here. The green dragon is a species at risk in Ontario, due to the depletion of its preferred habitat in wet wooded areas. The plant is found mainly on private lands today, and may also be spotted along stream banks.References:Muma, Walter. 2006. http://ontariowildfl owers.com/index.html, Ontario Wildfl owers website.Connecticut Botanical Society. 2005. http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/index.html.OMAFRA Staff. 2003. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/ontweeds/weedgal.htm, Ontario Weeds website.Lamb, Larry and Rhynard, Gail. 1994. Plants of Carolinian Canada. Federation of Ontario Naturalists, Toronto.Royal Ontario Museum and Ministry of Natural Resources. 2006.http://www.rom.on.ca/ontario/index.php, Explore Ontario’s Biodiversity websiteKershaw, Linda. 2002. Ontario Wildfl owers, 101 Wayside Flowers. Lone Pine Publishing, Edmonton, Alberta.City of Toronto. 2002. High Park Woodland & Savannah Management Plan. Corporate Printing. Toronto, Ontario.

High Park Walking ToursBy Diana TealThis spring, the Walking Tours “torch” was passed on to the Nature Centre by Ron Allan. After many years of coordinating the program, Ron decided to step back and let the Nature Centre take the reins. We thank Ron for all

of his hard work!Tuesday evening walks this summer have been very well attended, particularly the ever-popular “Bat Night” (led by Dr. Judith Eger of the Royal Ontario Museum) and Terry Fahey’s walk on “Iroquoian Infl uences on the Landscape of High Park”. Over 75 adults and children came out to “Bat Night”, “ooo-ing” and “ahhh-ing” at the sight of red bats, hoary bats, big brown bats and little brown bats fl ying overhead. “Moth Night”, organized by the Toronto Entomological Association, was also very successful. Adults and children alike excitedly monitored large white sheets set up in front of special lights to attract moths. “Moth broth”, made of beer and rotting fruit, was also painted on tree trunks to attract moths. 50 species of moths were identifi ed.Richard Aaron’s lively “Wildfl ower Names: History, Meaning and Lore” walk also received a great turnout, despite the sweltering heat of the day and evening. Participants learned about the fascinating history of plant names from Richard’s extensive research as well as the natural history of several different types of fungus growing in the park.The summer schedule ends with what promises to be two engaging walks – “High Park Then and Now” led by Harriet Xanthakos of Colborne Lodge and “Prescribed Burn Management in High Park” led by the City of Toronto’s Forestry staff.

Sunday afternoon walks will resume on September 10th with the Birds of Fall (this walk will start at 9am). Walks start at 1:15pm (unless otherwise noted)

and the meeting place is at the benches across the road from the south side of the Grenadier Café and Teahouse in High Park. For a complete schedule of fall walking tours, please visit www.highpark.org or email walkingtours@hpicharity.org. For more information, please call (416) 392-1748 ext. 4.

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Built Environment and Safety CommitteeBy Paul HindleThe Planning Session held earlier this year resulted in two key requirements to be investigated by this committee. One was a strong desire to establish a Visitor/Welcome Centre and the second was to improve/develop a non-intrusive transportation system to get people to the Park and around the Park. Well, in order to do that, we need people keen and energetic to assist in the planning and getting the projects started. At the moment, no one has stepped forward to assist, so until a few people volunteer, these projects will not proceed.You will see activity at the Lott Memorial Fountain

reconstruction at the corner of Bloor and Keele/Parkside. This should be completed by late September or early October and will provide a more formal entrance to the Park from that location. I hope to arrange a ribbon cutting event for late October to offi cially open this entrance.You will also notice that Helen and her Park staff have touched up parts of the Park with the re-painting of the exterior of the Nature Centre, painting of the gates and addition of new benches along Bloor Street. These benches are also treated so, if the Graffi ti artists attack, the defacement can be removed more easily. The planning still continues on an Aboriginal Art feature that has been designated for the area opposite the dock on Grenadier Pond. As well, a new home for some of the Centennial artwork is being investigated.

From the Security aspect, you may have noticed more of a presence from the mounted unit and bicycle offi cers. As well, random patrols have been added in the late evenings and weekends in some of the more remote areas to address issues around drinking and vandalism by teenagers. There have been several radar traps setup to try and slow the traffi c on West Road. The next meeting of the Community Police Liaison Committee is in September and I will be getting an update on how these new patrols have been working which I will provide in the next newsletter.The weekend road closures have been changed slightly to allow better traffi c fl ow and reduce costs of the weekend security guards. This appears to be working and we will determine if these should be made permanent. Please contact me at Built.Environment@highpark.org if you have any issues, questions or wish to volunteer for the committee.

Children’s Garden & Exploring Toronto ProgramsBy Keely Forth, RecreationistHello friends! The summer is near its end and the Children’s Garden and Exploring Toronto Programs are wrapping up their summer programs. Our school programs were very successful this summer, with lots of visiting children helping to plant the High Park Children’s Garden. Both of our community events were well attended and we have had a great turnout for the Family Garden Drop-in Program as well. Eco Camp had a very successful season and you may have seen our campers in the Children’s Garden or on the trails in the Park. We hope to offer school programming at the Children’s Garden this fall as well. Now we are turning our energy to planning for Harvest Festival and getting the garden ready for the fall. Please see below for our upcoming events and programs this fall.Volunteer OpportunitiesNow that our summer staff is heading back to school or winter employment the garden is feeling a little neglected. We are always looking for watering and garden maintenance volunteers, so if you are interested please contact Keely at kidsgrow@toronto.ca or call 416-392-1329. Upcoming Events and ProgramYouth Cooking ProgramSaturday, September 30th, 11am - 2pm.A fun cooking program for youth aged 11-16. Learn how to prepare simple, delicious, low-budget, fresh foods. Some tasting involved! The program is located at the Masaryk-Cowan Community Centre at 220 Cowan Ave. The program is free but registration is required. Please contact Christine Klianis at 416-338-5055 or kidsgrow@toronto.ca

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for further information.High Park Harvest FestivalSunday, October 1st, 12pm - 4:30pmThe Festival is co-hosted with Colborne Lodge and the High Park Community Advisory Council. Activities at the Children’s Garden appeal to young and old and include music and Garden harvest. Lunch will be served as long as food supplies last. All activities at the High Park Children’s Garden are FREE. The High Park Children’s Garden is located on Colborne Lodge Drive, south of the Grenadier Restaurant.For more information please contact Keely Forth at 416-392-1329 or kidsgrow@toronto.ca.

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Colborne LodgeBy Cheryl Hart, Site Supervisor

High Park Discovery Camp at Colborne Lodge ran for six fun-fi lled weeks this summer. Campers engaged in a wide variety of activities

focusing on the many wonders in the park. They learned about its history through storytelling about John and Jemima Howard, cooking in the Lodge’s historic kitchens and investigating its restored rooms. Outdoor explorations and adventures included trips to Grenadier Pond and the Duck Ponds, swimming in the High Park Pool, playing at the Jamie Bell Adventure Playground and running through the sprinkler on the lawn at Colborne Lodge. Wildlife around the Lodge was particularly plentiful this year with an abundance of toads and a couple of snakes taking up residence in the area. One parent jokingly suggested that we rename the camp Toads, Snakes and Derby Cakes (referring to one of the historic recipes the campers bake).The Discovery Camp is for children 7 – 11 years and is held every summer. If you would like to be informed when enrolment starts for the Discovery Camp or to be informed of the many other workshops and events the Lodge hosts, send your email address to clodge@toronto.ca.Coming up at Colborne Lodge:High Park Harvest FestivalSunday, Oct 1 - Noon to 4:30 pm Come celebrate the harvest, past and present, in beautiful High Park. Enjoy many family activities at Colborne Lodge and the Children’s Garden. Take a horse and wagon ride from the Grenadier Café, then participate in storytelling, face painting, historic tours, nature and garden crafts, pumpkin carving, and so much more! Visit the marketplace for foods, crafts, native plants and community displays. This event is organized by City of Toronto Culture, Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation, High Park Children’s Garden and the High Park Community Advisory Council. Admission to the grounds is free. Some activity fees apply. Special admission to Colborne Lodge is just $2. Haunted High ParkThursday October 26 and Friday Oct 27 - 7 to 8:30 p.m. (18 yrs and over)Saturday, October 28 - 6:30 to7:30 p.m. (For families,

not recommended for kids under 8 yrs.)Visitors will feel they have gone back in time to 1890 when John and Jemima Howard, owners of Colborne Lodge, had both passed away. That year their house sat dark and empty. Guests will be guided through the Howards’ property in the dark of night and hear tales of the ghostly Grenadiers and other eerie High Park legends. Pre-registration and pre-payment required. Oct 26 and 27 Adults $15Oct 28 Adults $10, children 8 & up: $5. Teachers! The start of another school year is just around the corner. The 19th century home of High Park founders John and Jemima Howard is a perfect location for your class to immerse itself in the setting of an early Canadian home, observe natural systems in a park habitat, explore human interaction with nature over time, and investigate geography in High Park, Toronto’s best known greenspace.Colborne Lodge conducts interactive programs covering the social studies, language, history, and geography curriculum. School groups booking both Colborne Lodge and the High Park Nature Centre can combine curriculum topics for a fuller experience. Discounts apply if booking both sites on the same day. For more details on the Lodge’s education programs, visit our website at www.toronto.ca\culture\education and click on Colborne Lodge, or phone us at 416-392-6916.Colborne Lodge is open for general public tours. Sept hours are Sat and Sun, noon – 5 pm. Oct hours are Tues to Sun, noon – 4 pm. General admission rates are $4 for adults, $2.75 for seniors/youths/students and $2.50 for children. Group bookings are available 7 days week by pre-arrangement

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High Park Nature CentreBy Diana TealWhen I was a child, I asked my mother what the high-pitched sound was coming from the trees in the summer. My mother told me it was a “zizzlebug”. According to her, the “zizzlebugs” sing in the trees to tell us that summer is upon us. So, when I heard my fi rst “zizzlebug” (also known as a cicada) of the summer during the Nature Centre’s staff training week in late June, I knew that summer was offi cially here – and the fun was just about to start. Summer is the busiest season at the Nature Centre, and is a time when the staff has the pleasure of welcoming and teaching many families, campers and day care centres from the community and the Greater Toronto Area. I am very pleased to welcome three new staff members to the Nature Centre team this summer - Sarah Halonen, Katie Krelove and Beth Kellar. Sarah started volunteering at the Nature Centre last summer and joined the Nature Centre staff in April as a part-time instructor for our Knee-High Naturalists Tuesday Afternoon Club program. Sarah did such a wonderful job that she is now a full-time Nature Interpreter along with her teaching partner, Katie Krelove. Katie started at the Nature Centre this spring as an intern from the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). We loved Katie so much that we asked her to stay, and she did! Beth Kellar is our part-time Nature Interpreter, who brings 5 years of experience in working at the Pinery Provincial Park. Beth’s dedication and enthusiasm is an incredible asset to the Nature Centre and we look forward to having her continue working at the Nature Centre this fall as our Weekend Instructor.

Our summer programs are fully booked for the second year in a row! The July sessions of our “Knee-High Naturalists” parent and child program for 3 to 5 year

olds and our “Nature Nuts” camp for 6 to 10 year olds were full to capacity and very well received by all. The August sessions of both camps are also booked solid. During the month of July, 270 children from 15 different day care centres attended various nature interpretation programs at the Centre to learn about the ecology of the park. We are expecting another 250 children from day cares during the month of August.We are very proud of our newest summer initiative; a

series of “Family Nature Walks” that take place on Tuesday afternoons throughout the summer. The walks are attended on a drop-in basis and cost $2.00 per participant. Each week, a different topic is presented on the walk. From birds to wildfl owers, we have taught over 110 visitors, big and small, how and why to appreciate the incredible diversity of life found in High Park. Our most successful and delightful walk of the summer was our “Enchanted High Park” fairy walk. Many children came dressed as fairies, full of stories about past fairy sightings. All were given a pair of green fairy wings to wear in the park, as green is the colour of the fairy world. Wearing green tells the fairies that you believe in their existence. From hollow logs to fi elds of wildfl owers, we searched for fairies riding on the backs of butterfl ies, dancing in the shafts of sunlight between the trees and hiding in chipmunk holes. There were many fairy sightings! We also encountered an American Toad on a trail, who is said to be a messenger, carrying secrets from one fairy to another. Each family built a fairy house in the park out of natural materials, complete with seashell bathtubs, acorn cap bowls and mushroom tables. Everyone left believing in fairies – even the skeptics, including an 8 year old boy who decided that maybe the tooth fairy was real after all. So, next time you are out in the park, keep an eye out for fairies, but remember – you must believe in fairy magic to see one!In partnership with the City of Toronto’s Parks and recreation department, we have been able to offer several “Behind the Scenes” tours of the High Park Zoo. Sonia and Chris, two of the keepers at the Zoo, have developed a wonderful program that teaches the children about growth and changes in animals, animal husbandry and respect for animals. We have seen a duckling hatch out of an egg, held a baby peacock, handfed bison and been “kissed” by a llama. The Nature Centre and the Zoo staff will continue to offer the Zoo Tour program to

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schools this fall. Thanks to Sonia and Chris for being such knowledgeable and engaging guides!This fall, we will kick off our programming for schools in mid-September with the “Hawkwatch” program; run in partnership with Don Barnett of the Greater Toronto Raptor Watch and Richard Joos of the Toronto Bird Observatory. We will also be offering our “Fall Planting” program, “Nuts about Seeds” seed collection program, and our “Changing of the Leaves” program to local schools. This November, we plan to offer a new program titled “Fall into Winter” which will teach children how the plants and animals of High Park prepare for the long, cold winter. The Centre’s popular “Saturday Morning Naturalist Club for Kids” for 6-10 year olds and “Knee-High Naturalists Tuesday Afternoon Club” for parents and 3-5 year old children will return in late September. Registration for these programs will open in mid-August.

I would like to extend a huge THANK YOU on behalf of the High Park Initiatives and the High Park Nature Centre to the John and Pat McCutcheon Foundation, whose generous donation will support our fall programming. We look forward to developing a strong partnership with your organization.

HELP NEEDED! The Nature Centre is looking for volunteers and donations/loans of tools to aid with our “Fall Fix-Up” campaign. The interior of the Nature Centre is in need of a face-lift – new curtains, a fresh coat of paint, refi nished fl oors, new lighting etc. We are currently seeking volunteers who can provide expertise in the following areas: sewing, carpentry, painting, refi nishing hardwood fl ooring, lighting, interior design and mural painting. Please contact Diana at 416-392-1748 ext. 6 or send an email to naturecentre@hpicharity.org if you can lend a hand.To be placed on our electronic mailing list or for more information on the Nature Centre’s upcoming programs, please send an email to naturecentre@hpicharity.org or give us a call at 416-392-1748 ext. 6.

Natural Environment CommitteeBy Karen YukichAlthough much of summer 2006 was hot and sunny, a few storms with heavy rains and strong winds brought down a number of aging trees and caused severe erosion on paths that were already in rough shape. Parks and Forestry staff are reviewing strategies for dealing with the

most serious examples of erosion. In some cases this means looking at where the water is coming from (e.g. runoff fl owing northwest from the Chess Club area down to Bloor St.), rather than simply repairing the washed out slope. In general, sound trail design aims to move water off the trail as quickly as possible, and avoid having trails that run straight downhill. Also, deep-rooted vegetation such as prairie grasses, shrubs and wildfl owers can absorb heavy rain and hold soil in place.The Natural Environment Committee is continuing to pursue the goal of sustainable trails. Over the summer we toured several areas of concern with the City’s trail representative, and our meeting on August 30 will focus on capital improvement proposals related to trails, signage and fencing.At the HPCAC Annual General Meeting on June 21, we were pleased to host a visit from our counterparts in Montreal’s fl agship park, Mount Royal. Three representatives from Les Amis de la Montagne joined us for a brief tour of the oak savannah and woodlands, and then attended our Annual General Meeting. They found that many of the issues we face in High Park are comparable to their experience in Montreal. We hope to maintain this relationship in the future and to consider Mount Royal as our “sister” park.

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High Park InitiativesBy Paul Hindle, Director/Secretary HPIThe HPI Board of Directors is pleased to announce a donation from the John and Pat McCutcheon Charitable Foundation in order to fund our fall program. John and his grandson recently visited the Nature Centre to get a better understanding of the programs provided and to ask questions. Upon leaving, he presented us with a cheque for over $12,000. Thanks to Scott and Erika from the Grant Writing Committee for a successful submission!!We have also been accepted for two grants from the City for approximately $4,000.Monday Movie Nights have been a big success this year. With sponsors Pizza-Pizza, Pepsi and the Grenadier Group, attendance has now grown to 700-800 and we are collecting donations of about $300 per night. As a result of some rain cancellations, we have rescheduled ‘Madagascar’ and ‘Poseidon’ for Friday Sept 1 and 15 beginning at 8PM. Thanks to Pam Ferguson for her

dedication in coordinating this summer long event!On Wednesday August 16, we were asked by Starbucks to be the highlighted volunteer group at the opening of their new store at Bloor and Ellis Park Road. Everything was provided free to the patrons and in exchange they were asked to consider a donation. In just over three hours, we received $300 in donations and talked to scores of people about HPCAC and HPI. Still on the funding side, we are also receiving a percentage of the sale of the David Allen postcards and pictures at the Grenadier restaurant. So, in buying his pictures, you are helping to fund our programs in the Park. We are always in need of donations and volunteers. Contact Diana at the Nature Centre at (416) 392-1748 ext. 6 or send an email to naturecentre@hpicharity.org if you have anything that might be useful to us or wish to volunteer some time.

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