Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Playground

Playground At The Copland Park, Age Has No Limits

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 03:38:03 +0000

Playground at the Copland Park probably has the highest slide, double turn, in the whole Aurora; unless someone will tell me there are others. Today we arrived just before noon. As we were coming down the hill towards the playground I noticed an older man sitting on the end of the slide. He just appeared.

Playground at the Copland Park

I turned to my husband and said, “I think this guy just went down the slide“. Before he could answer me one of his granddaughters asked the man probably in his late sixties the same thing “did you just went down the slide?“. We didn’t hear the answer but his second granddaughter asked “did you hurt your bum?“. Looks like he did go down the slide then.

Perhaps he was tempted to try this dare-devil slide and he didn’t hold back. When I was growing up these slides didn’t exist, just the straight down metal ones. May be when this man was growing up there were none.

Playground at the Copland Park

Most of our visits to the Copland Park are interesting one and this one was too. Matthew made friends with a little boy. They played very well together and when we asked Matthew that it was time to go home, the tree year old Mason said “you mom and you dad go home, Matthew will be playing with me“. But that didn’t sit well with Matthew. We allowed them to play for another 10 minutes. The two boys had a blast.

This is another super hero story. It is amazing how children engage to play so fast when they have somethings in common. Matthew brought his Man of Steel figurine and little Mason had Superman shirt on. Both of them played so well from the moment Matthew said to him “I love your Superman shirt“. They may not see each other again but they hugged like best friends.

Gold-y Fish Activity At The Cop-Land Park

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:57:30 +0000

One questionable activity at the Copland Park wasn’t enough to write about, but two – I definitely have to mention it. We have been regularly visiting this playground at the Copland Park because of the Wonderland-like slide – the double turn slide. Not to mention the trail between Aurora Heights Drive and Orchard Heights.

Let me go back to the Victoria Day weekend. We came to the park day after the Victoria Day. It was striking to see how bad the park looked with all the accumulated fireworks garbage. Town of Aurora parks and recreation worker was on the site cleaning up. As always we had fun despite the mess.

As we were leaving, strangely enough a man in a van pulled over and came to the park. He was looking for something around the garbage area. Nothing was found. The man left empty handed.

Copland Park, Aurora

Last weekend we or rather our Matthew decided on the Copland Park again. He just loves the double turn slide. When we arrived, already playing on the playground was a father and grandfather with a little boy and a girl. I mentioned to my husband, I guess on the playgrounds in general, weekends are father days and weekdays are mother days.

However, when we arrived there was someone else – a man walking around with the metal detector. He was looking for something – not hard to guess that he was looking for metal based products. He too left empty handed unless he found something before our arrival.

Copland Park, Aurora

So how wacky is that? Someone please tell me that we have a gold mine at the Copland Park in Aurora.

And now if you want to see something funny, here is priceless photo taken by Peter from Aurora – yes for real, the squirrel is really eating a cheese sandwich.

Northern Lights Public School, We Are Walking

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 03:40:28 +0000

We picked Northern Lights Public School – good school, close by and Matthew will only attend two days a week, and three days every other week in his first year junior kindergarten.

Few days ago I decided to walk with him to school. He didn’t resist but it wasn’t his best walking day so it was good to time the worst case scenario. It took us about twenty five minutes to slow walk. Hopefully by next week Thursday Matthew will focus on walking to school and my pockets will not be filled with stones, flowers and tree branches.

Northern Lights Public School, Bridgenorth Drive, Aurora

We decided no school bus. Matthew will walk to school, of course, I will walk with him. We walk around Aurora a lot, so I know he can do it. It is only two days a week, and no worries if it is raining or really cold I will drive him to school. We are not exactly close but 1.6 km is manageable.

Northern Lights Public School, Bridgenorth Drive, Aurora

We are definitely ready for school – knapsack, big lunch box (Matthew used to call it a big box of food), clothes and stickers.

But really, are we really ready? Matthew says he is. I on the other hand getting nervous for him, and, and, and I am going to miss him. I am holding back and saving all my tears for the first day of school, but today I almost let them out when I was making pancakes.

Northern Lights Public School, Bridgenorth Drive, Aurora

It is hard to believe that he is going to school. Over four years there was first day at the Hamilton Park playground; first time at the McDonalds and Tim Horton’s; first time at the Aurora Public Library and getting first library card; first time walking Arboretum; first time walking McKenzie Marsh boardwalk and Nokiidaa Trail Link boardwalk – etc etc.

Next week there will be first time going to Northern Lights Public School. I know he will be fine but I will not be able to see that ‘fine‘. All four years every day I was always around, but this time I won’t be. I will be only 1.6 km away and it will feel like 1600 km away.

Northern Lights Public School, Bridgenorth Drive, Aurora

Now I will have all this free time. I think to adjust to recent change I will be rubbing and scrubbing the house, or may be not. May be I will venture out more on my photo journeys around Aurora.

Or better idea, why don’t I hang out around the Optimist playground and when Matthew goes on the recess I can see him via my zoom lens. May be just for the month of September I be a stalking mom.

Northern Lights Public School, Bridgenorth Drive, Aurora

“True life is lived when tiny changes occur.” ~ Leo Tolstoy

McKenzie Marsh Aurora Ontario Great Blue Herons Moved In, Cormorants Moved Out?

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 02:16:43 +0000

For some time now I have stopped walking to the McKenzie Marsh boardwalk on the St. John’s sideroad. We never make it as Matthew prefers the community Arboretum, entrance on the intersection of Industrial Parkway and St. John’s. I don’t blame him – on the way home we visit three playgrounds – at the Optimist Park, Northern Lights Public School and Thompson Park.

However, that one day when we did go to McKenzie Marsh we encountered many Great Blue Herons. Firstly, they were flying around as something was about to happen. It was close to the lunch – so may be it was their hunger flight. They were setting themselves up, at least five of them.

Great Blue Heron, McKenzie Marsh, Aurora

One heron flew very close to the boardwalk and stood on the dead tree roots, usually where the red-ear slider turtles are found. I took many pictures of the heron and he didn’t mind. I am assuming that with so many photographers now visiting the boardwalk and even the constant traffic noise from the road, herons are adapting.

Many other birds flew over the body of water, but that day the herons were definitely dominating the McKenzie Marsh. And I was glad. Sometimes it is nice to have one species around so I can observe them closely.

Great Blue Heron, McKenzie Marsh, Aurora

In the past, we used to have an interesting crowd of the cormorants, but looks like the population of them declined over the years. They mainly occupied the landmark tree on the East side of the boardwalk. They are still around. I saw two on the tree the other day, but this is nothing compare to seeing about fifteen of them.

The cormorants are interesting birds, not to mention they are also invasive. I am sure that now with less of them hanging around the Great Blue Herons are having a blast. They can now hang out on the landmark tree.

However, on this side of the McKenzie Marsh I have never seen a cluster of them. Herons always like to sit by themselves scattered in all directions. One somewhere on the back of the marsh, one sitting on the landmark tree, the other one on the stump, then one hiding on the willow tree across and of course this one on the pictures fishing very near to the boardwalk.

Great Blue Heron, McKenzie Marsh, Aurora

Beside Great Blue Herons as always there were Canada Geese and ducks. Seagulls were flying over. Mind you I miss the Caspian Terns. They usually fish on the South side of the St. John’s (Atkinson Wetland). They can be mistaken for seagulls. Look for the distinct red beak and interesting fishing technique.

Great Blue Heron, McKenzie Marsh, Aurora

Southlake Regional Hospital Emergency Room, A Comment Hard To Absorb

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 04:51:15 +0000

I couldn’t wait until Friday to see our family doctor. There was definitely something wrong and Matthew wasn’t getting any better. Swollen glands, soar throat and mild temperature were few of the symptoms. To back track, while sleeping Matthew started to make snoring sounds.

It all started on Tuesday night, coincidentally a day after we brought him to the local splash pad at the Town Park. His breathing got worsen by Wednesday night. He was breathing through the mouth with swollen glands and soar throat.

Splash Pad, Town Park, Aurora

We arrived at the emergency around four o’clock afternoon on Thursday.

As usual warmly welcomed and immediately walked into a triage for interview as there was nobody in line before us. It is amazing how quickly the emergency areas are cleared these days just enough to fool you that your wait time will be short.

A wishful thinking. Perhaps, this type of action up front is beneficial as you are not sitting in the waiting room full of unknown bugs hovering around you.

At the triage we were questioned. I listed all the symptoms and I told them that what concerned me most was the snoring sound he makes when he sleeps. I can hear him when I am in another room. It concerns me because he is definitely not getting a good night sleep to heal.

Now this comment got me thinking and someone tell me if the hospital professional should actually throw comment such that ‘Or may be YOU are not getting enough sleep?‘. I elaborated further, ‘No not me, it just hurts me seeing him sleeping like that‘.

So throughout most of the night on Tuesday and Wednesday I spent by Matthew’s bed listening to his breathing. Second night wasn’t any better because he was also running mild fever.

May be it was a joke from the lady who checked Matthew’s weight, measured his temperature and heartbeat. May be it is a way triage nurses make their time more optimistic because it is kind of sad place to visit with all the worries around.

But when you see your child sick and are exhaused from all the worry and lack of sleep, having someone joking that I am selfish and that I brought my child to the emerge to ensure I can go back faster to my beauty sleep.

This didn’t sit well with me. I wonder what respond I would get if I joked like that about them? I probably be admitted to the Exit Zone.

We left emergency around eight o’clock that evening. Matthew was diagnosed with strep throat (bacterial infection of the throat).

This time we waited in the Yellow Zone and not in the Fast Track zone. It would be nice if someone explained to us what’s the difference, but it seems like everyone sitting at the hall waiting patiently for their turn eventually had their own definition figured out.

You will be send to the Yellow Zone when nurses at the triage don’t know what is wrong with you. Nurses will fast track you if you have obvious symptoms, like broken bone.

Next day, that is Friday, we visited our family doctor. He confirmed strep throat but said that Matthew’s case is severe one and we were advised to keep close eye on him for the next forty eight hours. If the antibiotic does not work the infection can enter his bloodstream.

And there goes my beauty sleep again for the next forty eight hours (a sarcastic remark).

Coyote Sighting, Hamilton Park Near Playground On Pinnacle Trail

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 19:15:15 +0000

It was kind of ironic that just yesterday for some reason I was thinking about the coyotes. It warmed up and we decided to go for a long walk. We walked from home all the way to the Arboretum entrance on Industrial Parkway.

Industrial Parkway, Community Arboretum

We walked the trail and walked out on the Somerton Ct and then headed for the playground at the Thompson Park. We usually walk all the way to the Optimist Park, but then thinking about the coyote made me cut our trail walk short.

Did coyote hear me?

Perhaps.

Today around eleven we were walking on the Pinnacle Trail. It was us, a caregiver with three children and other couple walking. Matthew with other little boy was running ahead of us.

At some point when we were calling them to get back to us – this dog came out from the Hamilton Park (soccer field) right onto Pinnacle Trail and headed West towards St. Andrew’s Golf Course. He was at least five houses away from us. When I walked up to the playground he was already gone.

Coyote Came Out From Here

At first I thought, oh no not another dog off the leash. But then it did not look like a dog. It did not walk like a dog. It was on the mission. It was definitely a coyote, and a good size coyote too – tall and slender. He crossed the road and walked on the sidewalk, definitely passed by the playground unnoticed.

Playground at the Hamilton Park, Pinnacle Trail

Later walking on the Rush Road we found garbage mess. We thought may be he was looking for the food – they always do. I think these sightings will be more common especially with all all the loose rabbits and chipmunks hanging out in our subdivision on our front and back yards.

Now message to all the parents – don’t loose sight of your child on the playground. The play structure can block your view. Stay with your child all the time especially in the areas where there is a lot of open park land and trees.

This was my second sighting of the coyote in the Hamilton Park. First time I was actually at the soccer field when I saw one snooping around on the other side. I don’t know how much we can do about the wildlife around us, but do keep your eyes open around you and watch your small children.

Sorry no picture – I wasn’t fast enough. It is usually the shock of the unexpected slows me down getting my camera. Not to mention safety is always first and we had two children ahead of us.

Popped My Identity At The Aurora Farmers Market, Just Like Pop-Corn

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:54:21 +0000

I blew my cover at the Aurora Farmers Market. Then really what cover? I never had one I just never told anyone what I do and who I am – I just take candid photos and then I write footage on my blog.