May 05, 2014

PTBOCanada Pics & Coverage From 2014 Peterborough Jane's Walk

May 05, 2014/ PTBOCANADA

Jane's Walk is a yearly celebration in memory of urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs, who promoted getting out and learning more about your community.

“No one can find what will work for our cities by looking at … suburban garden cities, manipulating scale models, or inventing dream cities. You’ve got to get out and walk.”
—Jane Jacobs, Downtown is for People, 1957

With the proposed bridge over Jackson Park, the Peterborough walk had a timely subject of Old Growth Forests in Jackson Park: Exploring Treasured Trees, Transitions, and Terminology. Walk leaders Chris Gooderham and John Etches guided us through Jackson Park, starting at the playground just off Monaghan and Parkhill.

Rain and chilly temperatures didn't deter people from learning more about our local park, such as the non-living aspects of the woods that play a part on its growth. Rocks, dead leaves, air and water are some of the determining factors that impact how the woods form. Dying trees as non-living aspects of the land also have a trickle-down effect by bringing things such as woodpeckers to the area in search of food.

We looked at everything from the forest canopy above to topography of the land below and how things such as how the trees have grown in response to the slopes of the hills.

John gave us a historical look at how Peterborough is covered in Glacial sediment (rock and mineral) from the glaciers ages ago.

Chris has us look for a tree with signs of animal habitation. An Eastern White Cedar with an oddly red trunk was pointed out, which Chris described as a "home" tree, abraded by the activity of squirrels which has turned the bark red.

Jane's Walks foster conversation during the walk, and interactive elements. Chris, along with two volunteers, measured the circumference of an old tree—which is believed to be about 200 years old.

Adjacent to an old growth tree is a pink marker, indicating the edge of where the proposed bridge will cut through Jackson Park—taking the tree with it. Chris and John agreed that oddly enough, where the bridge is expected to be erected, is also the most biodiverse section of the Jackson Park forest. The whole walk really tied the big picture together of how this area came to be, and what its future might mean.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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May 02, 2014

2014 Peterborough Jane's Walk Is This Saturday

May 02, 2014/ PTBOCANADA

Jane's Walk is a yearly celebration in memory of urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs, who promoted getting out and learning more about your community.

“No one can find what will work for our cities by looking at … suburban garden cities, manipulating scale models, or inventing dream cities. You’ve got to get out and walk.”
—Jane Jacobs, Downtown is for People, 1957

The Peterborough walk has a timely subject of Old Growth Forests in Jackson Park: Exploring Treasured Trees, Transitions, and Terminology. The walk starts at 9 a.m. Saturday (May 3rd) at the playground under the tall white pines of Jackson Park (top of Monaghan Road). It will be two hours long, and is family and dog friendly. There are steep hills and uneven terrain, so wear proper footwear.

"What makes a heritage tree? How does geology influence forest ecology? How old is old growth?
Join Chris Gooderham—Urban Forest Ecologist, and John Etches—Educator & Geologist, on an interpretive tour of Peterborough's greatest stand of white pine, maple, cedar, and hemlock. We'll walk through the oldest grove of trees in the heart of Jackson Park, examining tree growth, soil conditions, typography and ecosite transitions along the way.
During the walk, participants will engage in a conversation about why Jackson Park is one of the most cherished, unique, natural urban parks in all of Canada. We will also ponder what Peterborough stands to loose with the construction of the Parkway Bridge through the heart of the Jackson Creek Valley.
Walk will be approximately 1.5 to 2 hrs in duration on a combination of wide and narrow hiking trails, moderately steep slopes, and uneven ground. We'll make several stops along the way."

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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May 08, 2013

PTBOPics & Coverage: Jane's Walk 2013 Peterborough Creek Mystique

May 08, 2013/ PTBOCANADA

Peterborough had five Jane's Walks this year and we attended the Creek Mystique walk which was guided by Kim Zippel and Gina Varrin. This walk was to introduce us to the importance and historic past of Jackson Creek, which runs through the heart of Peterborough.

As everyone gathered to set off on the hike, there was a funny moment where our walk guides had to stop midstory until a noisy car had finished driving by, and yet nearby bicycles proved to be quite unobtrusive. Perhaps a nod to Jane's thoughts on urban lifestyle.

We learned that the Oak Ridges Moraine to the West supplies the headwaters for Jackson Creek and the creek itself is 155 km long. It even supplied water to local mills who processed Red Fife Wheat back in the 1840s, which is a living artifact that is part of Canada's living history (and can still be found in a locally brewed beer).

The walk had numerous stops along the way to point out changes over the years, to both the creek itself and the surrounding area. As we build up the city (i.e. more roads and development, less trees) there is an impact on Jackson Creek and its biodiversity. Man-made objects such as Gabion Baskets have been placed along a high ridge to keep the hill at bay, but as we learned later in the walk, while they are effective they might not be the best choice for a diverse ecosystem. With the natural riparian area displaced, we loose things such as filtration and a root system that prevents erosion.

One of the interesting projects that happened after the 2004 Peterborough flood was that of a downtown Peterborough business that was almost swept away due to erosion. The Otonabee Region Conservation Authority oversaw the restoration of the Jackson Creek banks next to this business. Cedars were harvested alive to keep the roots, with the hopes that they would grow back into the bank and help stabilize it. Stone, rock and rebar was used to help fortify it, and so far it has been successful (and a fairly new idea).

If you live downtown Peterborough, you might forget that the creek is even there, but you can see it disappear under the city at Brock Street and Alymer.

In 1955, there was a plan put forth to "daylight" the creek, which meant to expose sections of it to daylight. Again, this would help the riparian area, but as our walk leaders opened the idea to conversation we all agreed that it would also help the natural well-being of the public. The flowing water helps lift the moods of those within earshot, is visually appealing and could be made into a public attraction.

Kudos to the very knowledgable Kim and Gina and the Peterborough Field Naturalists for organizing this walk. Not only did they have plenty of historic tidbits, but in true Jane's Walk fashion they opened every thought for group conversation. There were no "wrong answers" and it made for very light and interesting discussion.

Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) was an urbanist and activist who envisioned cities as ecosystems that changed over time. She felt that it was better for both community and your own personal health for less auto infrastructure, and more of a diverse, greener, interactive community. You can read her book The Death and Life of Great American Cities and take part in the Jane's Walks which run every year in her memory.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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April 30, 2013

Peterborough's Jane's Walk 2013 In Celebration Of Jane Jacobs

April 30, 2013/ PTBOCANADA

Jane's Walk is a yearly celebration in memory of urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs, who promoted getting out and learning more about your community.

“No one can find what will work for our cities by looking at … suburban garden cities, manipulating scale models, or inventing dream cities. You’ve got to get out and walk.”
—Jane Jacobs, Downtown is for People, 1957

Chris Gooderham is organizing the Peterborough walks, in conjunction with the Peterborough Field Naturalists.

May 4th

10 a.m. - A Tour of Transition
2 p.m. - Contentious Ribbon of Green: Exploring the Parkway Corridor

May 5th

9 a.m. - Islands of Green
1 p.m. - Creek Mystique
3 p.m. - Mindfulness & the Art of Sensing

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada (hashtag #bethechangeptbo) or Like us on Facebook.

May 09, 2012

PTBOPics: Peterborough Jane's Walk At Mark S. Burnham Park

May 09, 2012/ PTBOCANADA

Last weekend, there was a Jane's Walk in Mark S. Burnham Park (Map). Originally a woodlot on the Burnham estate, the park was donated to the province, and is now an Ontario Park.