Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Arboretum

Winter Wonderland At The Aurora Community Arboretum, A Guest Photo

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 22:12:19 +0000

What a wonderful opportunity to conclude the 2012 year with a guest photo – a beautiful landscape of the Aurora Community Arboretum. A photo taken by Tom Yates. I don’t think I ever posted guest photo on this blog but sometimes I have to break the rules and may be stop being little ‘selfish‘.

Aurora Community Arboretum, Winter Photo 2012, Photography by Tom Yates, Portcullis

Few days ago (December 27th, 2012) I was cleaning Matthew’s bedroom and as always was thinking about something. Suddenly a thought came (Matthew would say an idea flew into my head). I left everything undone and sat in front of my computer at the office – just like that. The thought was to go and check out Evelyn Buck’s blog.

So I did and while I am reading her latest post that day titled The Good The Bad and The Ugly I came across section that read ‘Anna, if you are reading this post, maybe you could make contact with June and ask if you can share this and other beautiful photographs regularly presented in the Arboretum News.‘

After getting nice jolt of goose bumps on back of my spine I wrote Evelyn and Tom.

To make this long story short, Cllr Evelyn Buck tried to share beautiful greeting card she received from the Aurora Arboretum on her blog and wasn’t able to do so. So she called for help – ‘I have tried and tried to reproduce a Christmas Greeting received from Aurora Arboretum. The photo is spectacularly beautiful.‘

And she is right the photo is spectacularly beautiful and I am honoured to be able to showcase it on my blog. I never been to the Arboretum in the winter time and now I got an itch. I often forget how open fields and trails in the winter away from the major roads can still be covered with a prefect snow blanket creating winter wonderland scenes.

This time this scene was photographed by Tom Yates a member of the Aurora Community Arboretum. I also encourage you to visit Arboretum web site for more photographs (2012) of this scenic place. And while you are there, don’t leave. I was very intrigue by the information on that site – especially all the gardening and tree planting activities. I always wondered where all the trees came from whenever I took a long break from visiting; and I am not talking a small trees either.

Happy New Year 2013 Again!

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

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.

I Am The Lorax, I Stand To Recognize This Tree, The McKenzie Marsh Truffula Tree

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 23:24:38 +0000

I strongly recommend reading The Lorax book by Dr. Seuss (guaranteed that it will take you about ten minutes to read) or even better seeing a movie recently released that I saw. It was that one day when I read Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss that I decided to read ALL of Seuss’s books.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, July 2007

It was few months ago that I coincidentally found a copy of The Lorax book in our local Aurora Public Library. I was amazed and very supportive of Dr. Seuss’s environmental literary piece which he published in 1971. Now, I am also a proud owner of the book. Okay, okay, Matthew is..

McKenzie Marsh Tree, July 2007

I also read last week’s Weekly Notice Board and under the Public Notice I read the Have Your Say! Tree Protection Bylaw. They asked and here is my Say! And may be little out of context, but I want to speak for the trees, dead or alive.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, July 2007

Trees clean the air. Trees give us free cooling, that is shade. Trees enhance our neighborhood look. Trees provide food, yes apples grow on trees. Trees provide habitat for wildlife and attract nature’s best flying creatures, the birds. Okay, I am getting carried away; however, that must be enough reasons to stand by the trees.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, July 2007

So I read the TOWN OF AURORA GENERAL COMMITTEE Approval of Tree Protection By-law dated January 17, 2012 (watch out the link is for PDF file).

I itched and itched to comment on few paragraphs.

‘The online survey was completed by 100 respondents. This could be considered a relatively low participation rate and not indicative of community-wide public opinion, given Aurora’s gross population of over 52,000; however, staff was advised by our Communication Department, who assisted in the survey, that this survey was among the highest in participation of any previously conducted survey.‘

I did not participated in the survey. A one hundred people responded to surveys – a good enough number, I think. Other, over 51,100, did not participated because: many don’t have trees, many of them are children, and some just don’t bother.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, April 2011

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Great Blue Heron, August 2006

‘The current by-law provides for an exemption to golf courses. In reviewing the public survey results and other municipal trees by-laws, the By-law Review Committee sees a need to regulate the cutting of trees on golf course properties; however, the Committee also believes that golf course owners need a level of flexibility to be able to manage their business needs.‘

Oh that clause to exempt the golf courses bothers me. ‘… a level of flexibility to be able to manage their business needs‘ – why not be then in the forestry business.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Great Blue Heron, July 2007

‘Under the current by-law there are no applicable minimum/maximum fines for a first offence. The revised by-law now provides for a minimum fine of $500.00 on a first offence and a maximum fine for any offence of $100,000.00.‘

Yes, the town by-law enforcement officer (I don’t even know if we have one?) has difficulty to charge a dog owner for having a dog off the leash or for not picking up after the dog; do you really think that they will charge someone for cutting a tree. Or may be they will?

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Green Heron, July 2007

“Mister!” he said with a sawdusty sneeze, “I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. – The Lorax, Dr. Seuss.

So what really I wanted to talk about is the McKenzie Marsh landmark tree. No doubt it is dead but it has been indirectly alive and a great perching place for many marsh birds as you can see on all the photographs here taken over many years. I took many pictures over the years and yet found that every year I got a new surprise perching on this tree.

Once heavily preoccupied by Cormorants, the Gray Blue Herons stepped back. Since 2006 the cormorant population slowly declined in the pond and the tree space is often equally shared with herons, osprey and all other smaller bird species.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Osprey, May 2011

And yet I think we know very little about the tree. What kind of tree? How old is the tree? When did it die? Well today I stand to recognize the McKenzie Marsh landmark tree of which I/we know a very little about.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Trumpeter Swan & Mallards, August 2007

I will not be surprised that there is someone who knows a lot more about the tree, that is today still standing, strong and on duty protected by the marsh water.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Northern Flicker, June 2007

Yes, and the real point? The point is that we just need more trees in addition to what we have. We need to protect the trees, by-law or no by-law. As mentioned above they are good in many ways. They are good when cut, but better when alive.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Red Wing Black Bird Females, August 2007

Trees are not only cut at the golf courses, they are cut when new subdivisions are being build. Mature and healthy trees can live for a long time, yet we shred them to nothing. Best example, South East corner of Bayview and St. John’s sideroad. I was so used to this treed corner that since their removal I keep missing the intersection.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Cormorants, August 2007

Having said all that, did you know that you can get great deal of experience and a tree deal for participating in Backyard Tree Planing Program?

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Cormorants, May 2011

‘The Backyard Tree Planting Program is a partnership involving Aurora, York Region and LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests).

Through a full-service Backyard Tree Planting Program, a LEAF arborist meets with the participant in their backyard to select the best species and location. They teach the homeowner proper tree care and the benefits of trees. LEAF staff will return to plant the trees in spring or fall. The cost of this program ranges from $150-200 per tree (and this amount includes the consultation, tree, and planting service).

The Do-It-Yourself Program, participants complete an online workshop (education portion) and receive email advice on species selection from a LEAF arborist, picks up their tree in the spring or fall from a community event, and then plants the tree themselves. The cost for this program ranges from $25-$35 for small trees (for pick up) to $100-$150 for large trees (for delivery)‘.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Cormorants, October 2006

And regardless of the price you can participate in the Commemorative Tree Program in the Arboretum.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, July 2007

Even better, try not to cut the tree.

Thinking About Safety, An Accident On St. John’s Sideroad, Not First Probably Not Last

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 03:56:37 +0000

Many times it crossed my mind. The ‘it’ is that the St. John’s sideroad is a busy road not just for the motorized vehicles but as well for parents/caregivers walking with their children, walkers, dog walkers, runners and bikers.

St. John's sideroad, Boardwalk

Over 15 years living in the area St. John’s sideroad undergone major transformation – residential development along, schools, addition of major supermarket, water treatment facility, road widening, Community Arboretum and addition of the boardwalk.

Not to mention, all this happened between Yonge Street and Bayview. The transformation was definitely to accommodate increased population and preferably the drivers.

GO Train, St. John's sideroad

Going down the memory lane, I remember this small dead end street right across the St. Andrew’s golf course where we used to go and watch the Canada Day fireworks. Many used that area as dumping ground as well. It was the bare land then.

Atkinson Park, St. John's sideroad, Boardwalk

The nice thing about my neighborhood is that parks, playgrounds, schools and shopping can be accessed via non-motorized means. When weather permits I take Matthew for long walks to the nearby playgrounds, boardwalk, the Arboretum and shopping to the Superstore.

I also have noticed that I am not the only one, especially the increased number of caregivers in our neighborhood taking children to playgrounds or schools in the strollers or just walking with them (they can’t drive, probably not allowed). There is really no point to drive where everything is under your nose.

So I went off on a tangent. Yes, yes, the ‘it’ continuation. St. John’s sideroad has history of accidents. We don’t have to see the accident, but we can see the aftermath results – damaged curbs, damaged guardrails, damaged speed signs, damaged posts, damaged grass, or broken car body parts. Over the few years I have seen it all.

Walking along the busy St. John’s sideroad do I watch my back? Of course. How can you not, knowing that accidents happened there. This confirms my fear.

Knocked Guards, Boardwalk, St. John's sideroad

Last weekend there was accident on the St. John’s sideroad.

A Honda car drove towards the boardwalk knocking couple of guarding posts. Probably a combination of black ice, slopped road and speeding car. To be exact the accident happened near the entrance of the Nokiida Trail boardwalk, a second observation deck on the North side of the road.

Knocked Guards, Boardwalk, St. John's sideroad

So I said above to ‘accommodate increased population and preferably the drivers’. Well when Superstore rose from the ground the driving customers definitely were given the preferential treatment.

I wrote about my request to the town to install a sidewalk on the side of the Earl Stewart Drive so parents pushing strollers will not use the road to access or leave the property. Many months passed and I have not seen any activity from the town. I would have thought that if there is a safety concern then such item would have been flagged immediately – I guess not. I will check with them in the spring.

Perhaps I will talk my five cents on safety. Drivers need to be more responsible and obey the rules. We got to stop designing roads and considering safety last. Pedestrians and moving vehicles should be as far as possible from each other.

Cost effective band-aid solution such as more safety signs don’t work anymore. I prefer more law enforcement people. But then even with police traps drivers do speed along St. John’s sideroad. It all boils down to the driver’s responsibility behind the wheel – Be Responsible Be Aware Around You.

Barefoot Running, Nordic Walking, Something I Never Tried

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:44:03 +0000

Few months ago while walking on the Nokiidaa Trail Link boardwalk a barefoot runner ran by. That was kind of odd to see someone running barefoot. Not new to me. I grew up running all day barefoot. We never liked wearing shoes and we probably were more religious washing our feet before bed rather than hands.

Now days walking streets of the Aurora, not sure if I would ever want to run barefoot. That day the runner was lucky not to get any splinter, step into goose, duck or dog poop, bubble gum, glass or run over some spilled spoiled juice. Or may be he did?

While there are benefits to the barefoot running I don’t find it to be a very hygienic run. I am talking the true barefoot running because apparently there are shoes for barefoot runners, and they look more like gloves for the feet.

Nordic Walk, Sheppard's Bush Trail, Aurora

So while you deliberating if you should start the barefoot running next spring or summer (not sure if winter is suitable) you may consider the Nordic walking or pole walking. I spotted this sport couple of years ago when walkers were getting ready at the St. Andrew’s Golf Course parking lot. Regularly I see a group walking in the Arboretum or Sheppard’s Bush Trail during my adventures around Aurora.

Nordic walking is growing as an alternative to ordinary fitness walking because it can easily be mastered and can be performed year-round in any climate anywhere by a person of any age or ability who might otherwise walk without poles. It combines simplicity and accessibility of walking with simultaneous core and upper body conditioning and significantly enhanced aerobic effects quite similar to those of Nordic skiing. The result is a full-body walking workout that expends significantly more calories without a change in perceived exertion or having to walk faster, due to the incorporation of many large core, and other upper-body muscles which comprise more than 90% of the body’s total muscle mass and do work against resistance with each stride. ‘Normal walking’ utilizes only 70% of muscle mass with full impact on the joints of the legs and feet. Source: Wiki

Personally, I think this is one of the best sports someone would like to get involved. While getting exercise, you are also getting fresh air and exposure to daylight. Also it looks like a nice getting together event if you don’t want to walk alone.

For me? I don’t know. It would be hard because if I supposedly saw a bird on the tree, my Nordic walking would become Nordic chase-a-bird exercise. I guess we all got our preferences, and you already know where my preference is.

Canine Leash-Free-Park, Found Parking On Industrial Parkway To Access The Arboretum

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 03:13:02 +0000

I always walk to and enter the Arboretum from the Industrial Parkway and St. John’s Sideroad intersection. It cannot be missed. It has wooden pergola on the East side of St. John’s sideroad built by the Home Depot in Aurora. Beside there is a nice flower garden patch and further the trail information booth as shown below.

Nokiidaa Trail, Information Booth

It never occurred to me that the parking for the Canine Leash-Free-Park on Industrial Parkway is also parking to access the Arboretum. This is a good news in fact, because I can drive to the parking lot, and actually enjoy longer time on the trail as opposed to be walking along the St. John’s sideroad during high traffic hours – just too much road noise, and pollution. Never mind the accident that occurred few weeks ago on St. John’s sideroad. You just always have to look over your shoulder even on the sidewalk.

Aurora Community Arboretum

The other day I visited the Arboretum from the Industrial Parkway and used the parking lot for the first time. While there I took some pictures of the dog park and the dogs.

I have seen this park regularly from the other side of the trail, but I didn’t know that it was actually that big. I think this is great thing for the dogs, they need to have some freedom too. The parking is big enough to accommodate both dog owners cars and anyone who wants to access the Arboretum.

Canine Leash-Free-Park

Sometimes we don’t realize but we do have many great things here in Aurora. I was surprised to see all the recycling boxes and compost green containers on the site for the dog park users. Obviously there must be a regular garbage and compost pick up.

Canine Leash-Free Park

In lieu for that great land to use and service, Town of Aurora has a big sign asking users to adhere to Rules and Code of Conduct. I re-wrote the rules here, as I found it rather interesting. The list has 15 items. Well thought out and carefully written list. I couldn’t resist to add some of my thoughts too.

Rules and Code of Conduct

1. Dogs are allowed off their leash only within the fenced compound.
‘Yes, yes good point, just wished that in the land somewhere far far away from the dog park still in Aurora dog owners did not follow the same rule.‘

2. All dogs must be licensed and have up-to-date dog tags.
‘In fact every dog I saw up close had dog tag. Up-to-date tag, I cannot comment.‘

3. All dogs must have up-to-date vaccinations.
‘Yes, not sure if there are any means to verify it.‘

4. You must pick up and properly dispose of your dog’s waste.
‘There is a fundamental flaw with this item – there are still some that do not adhere to it. The parking lot in front of the wooden guard is full of it. I had to do my wild dance again to walk off the crap of my shoes.‘

Watch For You Know What Around Those

5. Dogs are not to be left unattended. It is recommended that dogs remain within sight and voice control at all times.
‘At the gate I saw four unattended dogs, beautiful dogs. However, they were within my sight and voice control, hopefully that counts.‘

Husky

6. It is recommended that you only take into the park the number of dogs you can control.
‘I must say, dog walkers like this park a lot. I hope they are dog walkers?‘

7. Aggressive dogs must be muzzled or removed from the park immediately.
‘Not sure if one dog wrestling another dog can be called an aggressive activity in the park.‘

8. Female dogs in heat are not allowed in the park.
‘No comment, it was cold day that day. Not sure what that means either.‘

9. Sick dogs are requsted no to use the park.
‘And if they do, that is torture.’

10. It is recommended that all dogs using the park be spayed and neutered.
‘Good idea.‘

11. It is recommended that dogs do not wear spiked or chain collars in the park.
‘Better idea.‘

12. Parents are stronly advised that this is not a suitable environment for children under the age of 12.
‘We stayed outside the dog park.‘

13. No vehicles are allowed in the park.
‘Not sure how one with a vehicle would get in.‘

14. Professional dog trainers are prohibited from using this facility to conduct their business.
‘How can you tell?‘

A Bench Inside the Park

15. Always respect other users of the park.
‘Yes, yes, yes …‘

Humming Hummingbirds, None This Year

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 20:11:16 +0000

I guess I wasn’t the only one looking for them. Couple of weeks ago THE AURORAN, Week of July 26, 2011 published in the section Letters to the Editor, a letter from David Tomlinson ‘Had hummingbirds drop in on you lately?‘. This week David is asking for help again in his another letter to the editor, ‘Reader still looking for hummingbirds‘.