What Restoration Means
The Next Step for Small’s Creek
October, 2022
Much was lost when the Metrolinx construction crews moved into Small’s Creek Ravine. The tree canopy was destroyed along with the path connecting the east side with the west. The once shaded wetland was exposed and even now, we do not know what impact there will be on one of the remaining above ground creeks in Toronto. Yet, amidst the destruction and loss, there is the hope that by working together, we can look ahead and not behind us in restoring this space. Now the onus and responsibility lie with all of us – Metrolinx, the City and this Community-to protect and nurture Small’s Creek Ravine. The key is restoration. This hinges on all of us being aware of where Small’s Creek and Williamson Ravines fit in the larger circle of ravine life. By building and expanding on the rudimentary plans in place can we effect change in restoring this vital community resource.
Restoration means being responsible stewards of the land and not just until the warranty runs out on the new plantings. It took over 100 years to establish the tree canopy of red oaks that was wiped out in a matter of days. We lost the biomass that supports the biodiversity within the ravine so that there are now fewer birds and animals. Opportunistic non-native species like the Norway Maple and the Tree of Heaven are freely seeding and will overtake the native seed bank, disrupting the life cycle in this fragile ecosystem. The hydrology of the ravine and wetland has been severely impacted with the loss of these trees. They are no longer there to take up water through their roots, stabilize the slopes, and intercept rainfall events with their immense tree canopies. The onus now needs to be on guiding the landscape back to health and restoring the oak tree canopy that was lost. As a community, we need to push Metrolinx and the City for a comprehensive stewardship plan and management agreement. There needs to be a detailed plan that assigns responsibility for:
Managing the non-native species so that we can assist the oaks and other native species, giving them an opportunity to thrive and grow (e.g., the frequent scheduled removal of non-native species)
Designing safe and ecologically sensitive paths of travel and critical infrastructure for visitors to the site (e.g. extending the boardwalk, creating lookout areas with seating)
Long term maintenance and monitoring of the ecosystem that extends for decades and not just a 2 to 3 year warranty on the nursery-grown plants.
Restoration means engaging with the local Indigenous community and inviting them to be involved in this process in a way that is culturally appropriate and sensitive to their unique relationship with the land and nature. Restoration of Small’s Creek is an opportunity for the City to advance the actions outlined in their recently implemented Reconciliation Action Plan and for area schools, such as Wandering Spirit School, to have a voice in creating a space where land-based Traditional teachings can take place alongside ceremonies related to Water, Land and All our Relations.
Restoration means re-establishing the connectivity in the ravine. With some creativity and care, Metrolinx, in collaboration with the City, have the skills and resources to design pathways, walkways, seating areas and bridges that restore the connectivity and allow for nature and humanity to enjoy this space together.
Restoration means encouraging neighbourhoods to be stewards of their own land by planting native plant communities that include trees, shrubs, and the native understory plants in their own gardens (Wild Ginger, Virginia Bluebells, Zigzag Goldenrod and more). Carving out space in your front or back yards for native plant communities will go along way in supporting ecology and fostering biodiversity.
Restoration means collecting seeds from the remnant native trees in Small’s Creek and growing them out to become the new tree canopy, not just in the ravine, but in the surrounding neighbourhoods too. These tree species that once covered all of Toronto are largely lost now and can only be found in a few ravine lands, including Small’s Creek. This remnant patch of tree is a seedbank that represents the ecological legacy of our forests, and ought to be treated as such.
Restoration means finding ways to preserve and celebrate the last remaining open-air segment of a lost river in Toronto. Small's Creek used to run uninterrupted from North of Woodbine Station and down to Ashbridge’s Bay. Now, Small’s Creek has been buried and diverted underground. Out of sight and out of mind. At one time, the kind of landscape in Small’s Creek used to be common across Toronto. The City had many more open-air rivers than it does today. At a time when cities across the world are daylighting their rivers, we have a unique opportunity to protect and steward ours for future generations.
Restoration means looking to the science and steps that can be made to respond proactively to climate change and extreme weather events. A century-old layer of top soil and forested wetland in Small’s Creek Ravine is being replaced with more concrete surface. Concrete moves water quickly, possibly adding to flooding issues. What about other creative solutions including “sponge” cities or landscapes? Small’s Creek has a wetland that is naturally designed to absorb excessive rainfall and slowly release it back into the creek. It currently serves a valuable service but does the current construction plan, with an almost exclusive focus on a concrete culvert, adequately address this issue? Are the necessary steps being taken to protect this already existing and natural flood control measure?
Restoration means fostering community. Despite the destruction and loss, a positive outcome is possible because many are working together for the common good. We will continue to stand up not only for the beautiful natural environment that is Small’s Creek but our collective access to it too. Small's Creek has and always will belong to the community. The community has and always will stand up for Small’s Creek.