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Thanks @oala_on for bestowing this honour on our hardworking group. Thanks to Jane Welsh for the nomination and to Chris Veres, @bradfordgrams, @marymargaretbey, and @rimabernsm for the endorsement. Now the tough work is continuing as we work on the
Thanks @oala_on for bestowing this honour on our hardworking group. Thanks to Jane Welsh for the nomination and to Chris Veres, @bradfordgrams, @marymargaretbey, and @rimabernsm for the endorsement. Now the tough work is continuing as we work on the restoration piece of this process with @metrolinx , City of Toronto Forestry, @trca_hq and our partners!
A note from Celeste Shirley: Hi Friends of Sm Creek, Thanks for your March Newsletter and extremely concise covering of the events.  Thank you also for your community input question: We want to hear from you! What is important to have a
A note from Celeste Shirley: Hi Friends of Sm Creek, Thanks for your March Newsletter and extremely concise covering of the events.  Thank you also for your community input question: We want to hear from you! What is important to have as part of Small’s Creek Ravine? 1.  The planting of native wild flowers.   2.  An owl house I live on Copeland Ave, in The Yoga House which looks over Small's.  Since 2011 - 2020 an Eastern Screech owl has lived in the 90 years old Norway Spruce tree sometimes for up to 4 months of the year. My home is a yoga studio, and after class, we would go out and say Hello to "Willow" who was in the lowest branch, 4 feet above our head.  (Eric D. and his partner came and visited her in her branch one day when she brought her mate who was on another part of the tree.)  Eastern Screech owls are quite "social" and you can get very close to them.  (I  used to bring my laptop out and sit under her branch during the day.) I have shared 3 photos. 2 of Willow--one wet, one dry!  I also included two snails mating (6.5 hours of lovin'!) This is all from the ravine. I would love to be involved in planting flowers, or installing an owl house, when the day comes.
The planning to restore Small's Creek is underway!  We have been invited by Metrolinx/GOExpansion to participate in the Small's Creek Pathway and Restoration Working Group and are excited to have a voice at the table. There are so many possibili
The planning to restore Small's Creek is underway!  We have been invited by Metrolinx/GOExpansion to participate in the Small's Creek Pathway and Restoration Working Group and are excited to have a voice at the table. There are so many possibilities to explore in Metrolinx fulfilling their promise to leave this space better than they found it.  Here is just one vision: 1. A boardwalk system that protects the wetland and reconnect the walking loop that has been lost. 2. A second wall, positioned below the concrete retaining wall being installed by Metrolinx that will not just fit more naturally in this space but which will create a raised planting bed to allow trees, rather than just shrubs and ground cover, to be planted and become established. 3. Substituting the planned chain link fence above the Metrolinx retaining wall with a living wall that would allow for all safety and electrification guidelines to be met while also re-establishing the tree canopy that has been lost. @metrolinx #torontoforestry @trca_hq @bradfordgrams @rimabernsm @beynate @johntory
A slide show from the Friends of Small’s Creek to share with the community. It outlines our mission and our goals. Please let us know what you think! #communityengagement #urbanwetlands #urbanforest #climate #forest #advocacy @bradfordgrams
A slide show from the Friends of Small’s Creek to share with the community. It outlines our mission and our goals. Please let us know what you think! #communityengagement #urbanwetlands #urbanforest #climate #forest #advocacy @bradfordgrams @rimabernsm @beynate @torontonaturestewards @torontofieldnaturalists @trca_hq @metrolinx @abhijeetmanaygpo @marymargaretbey @paulafletcher @petertabuns @savejimmie @friendsofthefoundry @dont_mess_with_the_don
In February 2022, Metrolinx cleared half of the forest in Small's Creek Ravine, destroying a stand of 100-year red old oaks. In the process, they’ve severed a community trail, and are operating heavy machinery on the creek’s banks. Metrolinx took a much-loved green space away from the community, and they plan to do more work in the ravine, including the construction of a 3-metre tall concrete wall to hold this slope that will be topped with a 1.8-metre high security fence. Metrolinx is a significant contributor to deforestation across the Toronto region. We expect more from a public agency operating in ecologically sensitive areas. Metrolinx promised the Small’s Creek community a seat at the table. We have yet to receive an invitation. Metrolinx, we're ready to collaborate. Are you? Videography (Drone) : Alli Neuhauser, Bombus Haus Videography (Ground): Christopher Terry Wildlife Photography: Matthew Canaran, Martin Fischer Featured Art: Iva Jericevic, Mitch Robertson Video editors: Matthew Canaran, Alli Neuhauser Music: Looking In My eyes, Ann Abel This film features Land in Treaty 13: Toronto Purchase and Williamson Treaties. the creek featured was never given to the Crown as a part of treaty negotiations. @lostriversto @to_ravines @bradfordgrams @rimabernsm @mattcanaran @marymargaretbey @abhijeetmanaygpo @metrolinx @christopherterry541 @bombus.haus @ambrrrrrr @equinoxholistic
@Metrolinx crushing urban forest, wildlife habitat, dens, foodsources… 4th rail could have been installed without this kind of destruction. Video shot today, March 25th 2022, by Mitch Robertson shows a local coyote walking along at track level, looking for a place to get down to the ravine ( where it would normally go) it keeps looking back at the excavator rumbling along down into the ravine. Once destruction starts in Williamson Ravine (imminent) the Coyotes that den and live in this ravine will become displaced. . . . . @bradfordgrams @lostriversto @rimabernsm @marymargaretbey @abhijeetmanaygpo @torontowildlifecentre @torontonaturestewards @to_ravines #urbanforest, #urbanwildlife #habitatdestruction
A few tickets are left for this Sunday's Lost Rivers Walk featuring Small's Creek. Visit the Lost Rivers website link in our story. @lostriversto . . . . @bradfordgrams @rimabernsm @marymargaretbey @abhijeetmanaygpo . . . #urbanforest #wetlandres
A few tickets are left for this Sunday's Lost Rivers Walk featuring Small's Creek. Visit the Lost Rivers website link in our story. @lostriversto . . . . @bradfordgrams @rimabernsm @marymargaretbey @abhijeetmanaygpo . . . #urbanforest #wetlandrestoration #learnaboutyourcity
Excerpts from a @Mattrolinx interview with Gretel Green, Manager of Environmental programs and Assessment @Metrolinx about @smalls_creek_ravine. . . . . . @trca_hq @bradfordgrams @rimabernsm @beynate @marymargaretbey @abhijeetmanaygpo @alisametcalfe
Excerpts from a @Mattrolinx interview with Gretel Green, Manager of Environmental programs and Assessment @Metrolinx about @smalls_creek_ravine. . . . . . @trca_hq @bradfordgrams @rimabernsm @beynate @marymargaretbey @abhijeetmanaygpo @alisametcalfe @smallchangefund @equinoxholistic
Telling graphic showing what @metrolinx plan has wrought on the forest in a precious ravine. The red hatching shows what has been cut already the orange shows what will be cut. The green shows their original plan for reforestation...1/5th of the area
Telling graphic showing what @metrolinx plan has wrought on the forest in a precious ravine. The red hatching shows what has been cut already the orange shows what will be cut. The green shows their original plan for reforestation...1/5th of the area. The math is flawed. #urbanforestry #treecanopy #climatecrisis #buildtransitbetter #communityengagement #restoration #reforestation @trca_hq @bradfordgrams @rimabernsm @beynate @marymargaretbey @abhijeetmanaygpo @mattcanaran
Why is the soil being allowed to erode into the creek? What is @Metrolinx plan to mitigate this? Soil eroding into the creek negatively affects the water quality, the creatures that depend on the water to survive, the stability of the slope itself wh
Why is the soil being allowed to erode into the creek? What is @Metrolinx plan to mitigate this? Soil eroding into the creek negatively affects the water quality, the creatures that depend on the water to survive, the stability of the slope itself which can even affect the tracks, how was this not considered - before the trees were clear cut. Photo credit: Alisa Metcalfe @totrees @bradfordgrams @trca_hq @johntory @rimabernsm #urbanforestry #torontoravines #ESA
Thanks @oala_on for bestowing this honour on our hardworking group. Thanks to Jane Welsh for the nomination and to Chris Veres, @bradfordgrams, @marymargaretbey, and @rimabernsm for the endorsement. Now the tough work is continuing as we work on the A note from Celeste Shirley: Hi Friends of Sm Creek, Thanks for your March Newsletter and extremely concise covering of the events.  Thank you also for your community input question: We want to hear from you! What is important to have a The planning to restore Small's Creek is underway!  We have been invited by Metrolinx/GOExpansion to participate in the Small's Creek Pathway and Restoration Working Group and are excited to have a voice at the table. There are so many possibili A slide show from the Friends of Small’s Creek to share with the community. It outlines our mission and our goals. Please let us know what you think! #communityengagement #urbanwetlands #urbanforest #climate #forest #advocacy @bradfordgrams
In February 2022, Metrolinx cleared half of the forest in Small's Creek Ravine, destroying a stand of 100-year red old oaks. In the process, they’ve severed a community trail, and are operating heavy machinery on the creek’s banks. Metrol
@Metrolinx crushing urban forest, wildlife habitat, dens, foodsources… 4th rail could have been installed without this kind of destruction. Video shot today, March 25th 2022, by Mitch Robertson shows a local coyote walking along at track leve
A few tickets are left for this Sunday's Lost Rivers Walk featuring Small's Creek. Visit the Lost Rivers website link in our story. @lostriversto . . . . @bradfordgrams @rimabernsm @marymargaretbey @abhijeetmanaygpo . . . #urbanforest #wetlandres Excerpts from a @Mattrolinx interview with Gretel Green, Manager of Environmental programs and Assessment @Metrolinx about @smalls_creek_ravine. . . . . . @trca_hq @bradfordgrams @rimabernsm @beynate @marymargaretbey @abhijeetmanaygpo @alisametcalfe Telling graphic showing what @metrolinx plan has wrought on the forest in a precious ravine. The red hatching shows what has been cut already the orange shows what will be cut. The green shows their original plan for reforestation...1/5th of the area Why is the soil being allowed to erode into the creek? What is @Metrolinx plan to mitigate this? Soil eroding into the creek negatively affects the water quality, the creatures that depend on the water to survive, the stability of the slope itself wh

Updated as of February 2, 2021

Last night we held a webinar to update the community on the current state of things with Metrolinx.

We shared the information we have as it stands and heard updates from our elected officials.

If you missed the meeting you can view a recording here.

A .pdf of the slide presentation is available here.

Updated as of January 25, 2021

We received a response to our recent freedom of information request rejecting our ask for information on Metrolinx’s application for work in Small’s Creek. We plan to send a letter of appeal asking them to reconsider the request.

Response available here.

Updated as of September 13, 2021

Members of the community were invited to participate in a “Construction Liaison Committee” ostensibly to provide details about upcoming construction in Williamson Creek Ravine which is slated to commence October 1, 2021.

Metrolinx plans "clear all the trees and other vegetation on the south side of the corridor to build an access road to the south side of the culvert" in Williamson Creek Ravine starting at the current access point located at 110 Wildwood Cres. We’ve been told that construction is planned for overnight This means there will be construction in an Environmentally Significant Area overnight - - 11pm to 7am - chainsaws, grubbing and bright lights. Detailed construction plans (or remediation plans) have not been shared with the community, and the most Metrolinx has promised is a phone number you can call to leave a voicemail on that is returned a few times a day during business hours.

We asked for additional information as to what the construction plan specifically is for this area and so far, Metrolinx has not shared.

…..

Based on community feedback and questions, Metrolinx has committed to the following “action items” that they’ll address at the next CLC meeting (slated for October 5, 2021):

  1. Identify if the reference to ridership numbers exceeding 200 million annually was determined with pre-COVID estimates.

  2. Request for a more comprehensive, localized and frequent notice process.

  3. Provide additional information on noise and vibration monitoring, including if Metrolinx has access to and monitors the data.

  4. Determine if additional details of the TRCA application for Small’s Creek be provided.

  5. Determine if an after hours call line can be established for resident complaints.

  6. Provide further information on restoration in Small’s Creek specific to the construction access road.

  7. Provide additional information regarding the safety for individuals and property specific to vegetation grubbing.

  8. Provide further information specific to steps taken for light mitigation.

  9. Provide further information regarding the design of the lagging and pile wall.

A link to the power point presentation given by Metrolinx at the meeting is available here.

CLC Sept 9 update.png

Interviews with our Technical Team outlining their concerns with Metrolinx’s approach

Updated as of June 1, 2021

We sent a letter to Mayor John Tory outlining our concerns in respect of the project. That letter is available here.

Updated as of February 17, 2021

We received a response to our Freedom of Information request for the information held by the TRCA in respect of their review of the project. All of those files are available here.

On January 27, 2021 we had a Community Ecological meeting with Metrolinx. Notes from that meeting are available here. Metrolinx’s materials available here. Our materials (as prepared by Wilder) is available here.

On January 19, 2021 we gave a presentation to the City of Toronto. The materials we used for that presentation available here. The materials the City prepared are available here.

On January 7, 2021 we presented to Metrolinx - to the Director, Community Relations (Toronto Region Capital Projects) and the Senior Manager, Community Relations. The materials we presented are available here.

Updated As of Dec. 31, 2020

On December 29 and 30 we hosted Zoom information sessions to share what we know so far about the project. If you weren’t able to make the session we recorded one and it’s available to view by clicking here:

Click the image above for a .pdf of the deck we presented at the Zoom info session

Click the image above for a .pdf of the deck we presented at the Zoom info session

Based on the information we’ve received from the Freedom of Information requests (and the images below from Metrolinx) we’ve been able to pull together some renderings of what the end state in the ravine is likely to look like if the current plan comes to fruition.

All renderings available here

What we have now:

Before Photo 2 - Smalls Creek.JPG
Before Photo 1 - Smalls Creek.JPG

What our renderings predict:

01 13 21 Smalls Creek MTLX view looking south west by JACD.jpg

Confirmation of extreme destruction

Metrolinx has finally provided a document detailing which trees will be removed from Small’s Creek Ravine and Williamson Park Ravine. EVERY RED NUMBER IN THE PHOTOS IS A TREE THAT WILL BE REMOVED AND NOT REPLACED.

Image provided by Metrolinx (December 18, 2020)

Image provided by Metrolinx (December 18, 2020)

BELOW UPDATED AS OF DECEMBER 16, 2020

Freedom of INformation request of TRCA

We sent a formal Freedom of Information Request to the TRCA asking for the plans and documents that Metrolinx submitted as part of their request for TRCA review of the project. These documents confirm that the current heavily used public walking path doesn’t factor into the plan AT ALL and huge swaths of the ravine will be clearcut.

Full documents available here and here.

The below is our best guess illustration based on information provided by Metrolinx as to what the new retaining wall will look like:

12 28 20 Smalls Creek MTLX cross section looking west tuned.jpg
Metrolinx proposed drawings for retaining wall in Smalls Creek (image provided by Metrolinx)

Metrolinx proposed drawings for retaining wall in Smalls Creek (image provided by Metrolinx)

Cross-section of Metrolinx proposed retaining wall in Smalls Creek (image provided by Metrolinx)

Cross-section of Metrolinx proposed retaining wall in Smalls Creek (image provided by Metrolinx)