Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Water

Winter Skating Not Recommended On Natural Ponds Or Storm Water Management Ponds

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:51:20 +0000

It has been really mild winter here in Aurora and surroundings. Snowing one day, melting the other day. Temperature below zero, next day everything is melting.

I kind of enjoy this snow melting game because less dirty snow on the side roads. Nothing like a blanket of fresh white snow every time making everything look like winter wonderland.

Just recent cold temperatures allowed formation of ice on our local natural ponds or storm water management ponds, but the ice may not be too thick for skating. Warmer temperatures do add to potential hazardous conditions.

Atkinson Park Wetland

Due to mild winter conditions and not having outdoor skating rings, lot of kids manage to get out and skate on the local ponds despite all the warnings. Some ponds may not be even deep to be hazardous, but this is only an assumption.

When I moved to Aurora in 1997 the McKenzie Marsh always been a very popular place for public skating. The two lane St. John’s side used to be packed with parked cars on both sides when families came to skate.

When the boardwalk came along there is no more skating on the North side of St. John’s sideroad (McKenzie Marsh), but kids get away with skating on the South side (Atkinson Park Wetland). Now it is only a small group of boys playing hockey. Every time they manage to bring the hockey net which sometimes is half sunk in the pond.

Atkinson Park Wetland

According to the website, ‘The Town of Aurora strongly recommends that these bodies of water not be used for recreational purposes of any kind, including winter skating, as ice conditions on these ponds are extremely unpredictable and potentially hazardous.‘

Unfortunately, recommendations are not taken so seriously here in Aurora.

Atkinson Park Wetland

Splash Pad At The Town Park, Splash Splash Blues

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 20:24:13 +0000

It is nice that we don’t have to travel long distances to have fun, and now especially with the high gas prices walking and visiting locals in Aurora is even more encouraging. I think it is a good thing.

Well, lot of things to do here in our town and so little time for a one day. I had three things on my list to visit today in Aurora: the Great Canadian Cat Show at the Aurora Community Centre, the Sheppard’s Bush and the Farmer’s Market.

Why cat show? I don’t know, but I thought I practice some indoor photography. However, will my little boy enjoy it? Probably not this time. Sheppard’s Bush – who does not like to walk the trails in the shade, but there are always mosquitoes. The Farmer’s Market never fails – and guess what, the splash pad at the Town Park playground is OPEN for the summer.

Town Park Splash Pad (Wells and Mosley streets)

We didn’t bring any change clothes for Matthew since we thought may be it will be too cold. Cold in the summer? Oh boy, I was wrong. He played at the playground and occasionally he watched children play in the water. I gave in. I just could see in his eyes he wanted to be there and play. We all love water in the hot summer day, how can we let him miss that opportunity.

My Bundle of Joy Testing Water First

Children are amazing. I really enjoy watching them when they have so much freedom playing. Combined with right weather conditions, water is number one fun resource – so simple, yet encourages creativity and fun when playing.

Whoops, looks like someone just got splashed in the face.

Little Too Much Water In His Face

Speaking of creativity. On the picture below, a little girl is trying hard to capture the water in the pink bucket. At first she waited for it to stop shooting, and then she covered it up and waited for the water to come back in order to capture it in the bucket and not let it go out. I watched her couple of times, and she was quite successful yet brought others to observe too. Sometimes I wonder, how much toys children need. Little less brings up creativity and innovation.

Creative Playing

Oh this one in the pink dress was so adorable.

Little Ballerina

There will be lot of ohs in this post today. Oh for this little girl playing in the water (photo below). She is such a doll and a trooper. Walking off the splash pad she slipped and scrapped her knee. I didn’t hear a cry.

Enjoying Cool Water

Oh, oh and here comes my Super Man, Iron Man, Spider Man, Super Hero, my bundle of joy – Matthew. We took off his shoes and let him play. I just said, ‘let him go, the clothes will dry out‘. No matter where we are, Matthew always enjoys himself to the fullest, and I am glad that I am able to capture those moments because we just have too many of them everyday to remember.

Matthew

When I don’t take pictures, I record moments like that in my notebook. Last night we were at the Hamilton Park. There was no body there when we arrived. Soon three boys arrived, and here comes my boy yelling: ‘Hi boys! How are you doing?‘. At some point he came up to them and sang A B C song, and then asked ‘Do you know your A B Cs boys?’. They just looked at him and smiled. Well they were at least 10 years old or older so they better know their A B Cs. For the record, Matthew is three years old.

Sometimes it is hard for me to fit my one day of good experiences in one post. Stayed tuned for more of my eventful day today, this time at the Farmer’s Market.

Nokiidaa Trail Link, The Observation Deck Is Up

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 04:47:53 +0000

For those who do not have chance to follow progress of the Nokiidaa Trail Link through the marsh I though I post few images. This is also a follow up from previous post about the work in progress, Nokiidaa Trail Link Through the McKenzie Marsh Work in Progress. The main part of the link, the boardwalk seems to be almost done. Looks great, and we have the observation deck. I am surprised that the railing is ‘horizontally planked’, and does not match the current boardwalk on the St. John’s side road.

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk

As the McKenzie Marsh from St. John’s sideroad has landmark tree where usually cormorants rest, this one will have one too. It is always nice to see something that stands out. I wonder what bird will be the priority occupant of that three.

Nokiidaa Trail Link - Landmark Tree

On Sunday, I took pictures from the Hadley Grange and St. John’s sideroad intersection. I was at the peak overlooking the whole marsh. I am sure everyone noticed high winds this weekend. I had to discard many images, as the wind was really blowing me away and I ended up with many blurred images.

Nokiidaa Trail Link - An Observation Deck

Despite of cold weathers and constructions activity, birds are very active in the marsh – flying over and also playing in the water, something I wouldn’t do in the cold weather like that. I don’t see much of a variety from that far, but Canada Goose seems to be taking over.

The next step is probably to find out what is going beyond the boardwalk – closer to the Newmarket trail. Right now it looks like mess – piles of dirt. The soil must be very healthy there, as every time I see it it looks really dark, as close as the one on Holland Marsh. I hope all this dirt moving is not for the parking lot, it would be such a shame.

Next Generation Irresistible Water Savings Tips

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 04:46:51 +0000

Really what should I do next? The Banner on April 5th, 2011 informed me and probably rest of the Aurora world of wonderful water rate hike. I was pleased with town working on bringing the tax rate down, but I am not pleased with the water hike. If this is true that ‘The potential 9.95 per-cent combined hike in water and wastewater rates will cost the average family, which uses about 400 cubic meter per year, an extra $92.59 annually.’; then no wonder we are happy with the tax rate of 4.35 percent where ‘For an average Aurora property assessed at $300,000, this will mean a $0.13 daily increase in taxes, a monthly hike of $3.93, and an annual tax impact of $47.19.’ – as reported by The Auroran (Week of March 29, 2011 Vol 11. No. 22). Next time town pulls a trick like that on me, I would appreciate the bad news before good news; otherwise the health care in Canada will suffer.

I would like to extend my thanks and no thanks to The Banner for a wonderful set of water saving tips. Obviously tremendous effort was put into the list, but sorry I am already applying them all and running very lean. My mind is already working on next generation set of water saving tips. The next generation sounds sophisticated, but to your surprise you will be back to basics with my assembled water savings ideas for now.

1] Collect the rain water. Really, you can water inside and outside plants, water grass, wash cars, and if you wish fill up small swimming pool and take relaxing bath (applies to summer only). When you decided to take a bath, ensure to do body water sprinkle test. If you experience irritation, do not attempt to do this step. Do not attempt to drink this water as it does not fall under requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act, enacted after the 2000 Walkerton tragedy.

2] Carry plastic container with you (not that one!). When at work, fitness centre, public place or Tim Hortons after you are ready to go home just fill up some extra water. The costs are usually passed on the consumers, so why not – pass them back.

3] If you like to work-out at the fitness centre, in addition to the above, leave clean. That is, use their showers, come home clean. Just think on the end, it does not matter, time is time, now or later it is the same time different location. Then, if for some reason you don’t shower after working out – don’t tell, nobody needs to know.

4] When nature calls you, go out to nature and visit Jerry on the job. The portable toilet systems can be found around the town and out of town. Don’t worry Jerry usually isn’t on the job anyway. Word of advice – you may want to bring your own toilet paper, just in case. Remember though that when entering construction site, it is solely on your own risk. Don’t use ‘crackberry’, read newspaper or listen to your iPod – you are not alone; listen to the sounds around you. I said sounds around you, and not your own sounds!

Jerry On The Job, Nokiidaa Trail Link Construction Site

5] If you have children and they like to play in the water, find other neighbour and ask if your children can come and play in their pool. Leave a penny in the water afterwards, to appreciate their service. Pennies will be obsolete soon or later, so here is a way to use them up.

6] Remember the more you plaster yourself with make-up, deodorant, hair sprays and perfumes, the more shower taking you may have to do. I can guarantee that if you eliminate all above, you will stay fresh and clean for days. Not to mention, savings on the above items in addition to water savings. Note, if you don’t feel fresh, let the rain and wind freshen you out. Oh and start using the designated water cup when you brush your teeth – its there for a reason and not show or hold your toothbrushes.

7] You drank too much, got another nature call. Try European style or doggy style, you know what I mean. Please be discrete though, I already blush when people romantically kiss in public. Oh, ladies this may not be for you, too much crap going on in the bushes.

8] For those who own swimming pool let the rain fill it up for you. Unfortunately, you may be waiting a long time if you have big one. You can always ask your neighbour for extra rain water. Note the rain water may be polluted, but then chlorine water is not any better for you.

9] Kill two or three birds with one stone. If you are family of three or four people, then line up to use washroom and flush the toilet once or twice only. Guarantee you will cut the water use in half, but I don’t guarantee decrease in the stink factor.

10] Reduce and reuse your clothes. Instead of washing clothes frequently, just hang them outside to freshen them up. Your neighbour will think you are super clean.

11] Another way to reduce your laundry. Wash going to bed instead of out of bed. Your bed sheets will stay clean longer. On the side note, I still don’t get the shower in the morning thing. Why would you go sleep dirty?

12] Drink less, oh what the heck eat less. The less you drink or eat, less water consumption by in or out.

13] Reduce and reuse your shower water. This requires some plumbing work by connecting drain pipe from upstairs shower to downstairs shower. Depending how sophisticated you want the design to be, the simple way is to have two people take shower at the same time, one upstairs and second downstairs having shower from the rinse water of the first person. I think you know what I mean. This retrofit is not required if you have a mate.

14] I could go on and on, but then I found that we don’t have meter for water out. How stupid is that? Why should I pay for the same volume consumed versus drained? Theoretically the household will not drain the same water it consumes. Think, you drink at home and go washroom at work, you water plants so they grow, you water garden outside, you wash a car. It all goes to the ground, and why should I pay for someone who flashes toilet more than me. Oh, I get it – we all get billed equally. There goes my idea of watering grass with shower water.

This post was written not to offend anyone. This is how I handle stress when comes to rising prices. After all what choice do I have? Only left with one – to pay the bill.