Graffiti on the Trail

Lower Don Trail graffiti

If you happen to be walking across the Bloor Viaduct from west to east and happen to glance down you may have noticed a new splotch of graffiti on the valley scape. This one is novel in that it inscribed vertically on the asphalt of the Lower Don Trail just north of Chester Springs Marsh. There are eight letters which spell out "SORTREMO". I searched on Google for this but nothing relevant appeared. A similar search for "omertros" also came up blank.

I came across it while cycling on the path. When you're on top of it, it's just a black and yellow smudge. To see it properly you need to be above it.

Crothers' Woods Article

An article by Joe Fiorito appeared in today's Toronto Star about Crothers' Woods. Fiorito is a columnist who has a rather rambling and laid back style, which is quite unlike other Star columnists. His folksy rhetoric likens itself to story telling rather than more traditional journalistic styles.

Fiorito visited Crothers' Woods accompanied by one of his dog owner friends. While he tried to get the point across that both bikers and dog-walkers can learn to live together, he seems predisposed to choose dogs over bikes. He barely mentioned the importance of the woods as a natural environment. He also seems to favour the woods as an off-leash area for dogs. Note that his dog owner friend blithely let her own dogs 'gambol' off-leash during his walkabout.

The article has attracted quite a bit of commentary from both sides of the issue (including yours truly). You can read it yourself and come to your own conclusion.

Trail Building in Crothers Woods

Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Visit

Date: September 13 & 14, 9am to 4pm

Location: Todmorden Mills and Crothers Woods

IMBA Trailbuilding School will start at Todmorden Mills for in-class training and then we will continue to Crothers Woods to build trails. This is a rare chance to work with the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew and improve your trail building skills and knowledge. During the field portion of the weekend we will be focusing on building advanced and technical stretches of trail.

Date: September 12^th, 7pm

The IMBA Trail Care Crew is also offering a Club Care Session at Todmorden Mills. Learn how to build, improve and sustain your bike club.

If you plan to attend this weekend event PLEASE REGISTER! Contact trails@toronto.ca or call (416) 338-DIRT (3478).

Fall 2008 Plantings

The fall planting season has arrived. Here is a link to the city's events. It includes events for the Don and other watersheds. Hope to see you out there!

Friends of the Don Fundraiser

Friends of the Don East are having a fundraiser (tonight!). Here are the details. If you plan to attend (based on this last minute notice).

Here's a copy of the notice sent out...

A reminder to all of our members and supporters than our annual fundraising dinner is Monday, September 8, 2008 @ 7pm (seating starts at 6:30 PM).

Tickets are now on sale, and are a great value, at just $65.00 each (the same price as last year).

Enjoy a 3-course meal, at Allen's on the Danforth, a complimentary pint of Mill Street Organic beer or a glass of VQA wine, and have your name entered into a raffle to win one of several prizes.

A charity receipt for $35.00 will also be issued.

This Ain't the Don Valley

Lake Opeongo, Algonquin Park

If loyal Don Watcher followers have been wondering why I haven't posted for awhile... here's your answer... I've been away for three weeks. Specifically I spent two weeks in Algonquin Park on a Limnology (study of lakes) course and then a week in the Boreal Forest on a Forest Conservation field course. Here's a couple of pictures so you can get the general idea.

Now I'm back in T.O. and should start posting about the Don again.


Clearcut harvest operation near Cochrane, Ontario