Farewell to Cherry Blossoms...
... and hello to Apple Blossoms
Special Bonus: Welcome back Lilacs!
[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]
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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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The 10th Annual Shifting Gears Workplace Transportation Challenge (May 1st to 31st) will officially kick off with an event at B!KE: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop (336 Rubidge Street) on Wednesday, May 1st at 1 p.m. Organizers, workplace coordinators and dignitaries will be on hand to help celebrate.
"Shifting Gears helps to support our personal, community and environmental health through increased rates of physical activity and reduced vehicle emissions,” says Susan Sauvé, Transportation Demand Management Planner at the City of Peterborough.
There are many reasons to participate in Shifting Gears, for both employers and employees, with the benefits ranging from better personal health and air quality to lowered family transportation costs and reduced demand on parking spaces. Every employee can participate in Shifting Gears by signing up as an individual or through their workplace at Peterboroughmoves.com.
Employees who participate in the program can order a free walking, cycling or transit kit to help them shift gears. Quantities are limited, so register early. All participants also qualify for grand prizes, including the Grand Prize of a $750 gift certificate for Resorts of Ontario.
Shifting Gears is a program of GreenUP, the City of Peterborough, Wild Rock Outfitters, the Peterborough County-City Health Unit and B!KE: the Peterborough Community Bike Shop.
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From a City of Peterborough emergency management release today...
A flood warning remains in effect for the City of Peterborough. The Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) has advised that water levels will continue to rise along the Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River over the next fews days.
City staff are closely monitoring the situation in consultation with ORCA, Trent Severn Waterway, Ontario Power Generation, as well as local dam operators, and are prepared to respond as required.
Residents in low lying areas along the Otonabee River are encouraged to monitor water level changes on their properties and take necessary precautions to protect life and property. Docks and structures close to the water should be secured or moved and other personal effects such as lawn furniture should be moved to higher ground.
Residents are advised that they should have sufficient and appropriate emergency supplies on hand, and sump pumps and backflow preventers should be checked to ensure that they are functioning properly. Properties that are susceptible to flooding should consider acquiring supplies such as pumps, generators and sand bags from rental companies, hardware stores and landscape suppliers.
To report a flood in your area, call the Flood Watch Hotline at 705-745-5791, ext. 228 – available on a 24 hours a day.
If, at anytime, city residents feel that they are in immediate danger by rising water, they should call 9-1-1. Please refer to the City’s website www.peterborough.ca for additional information including what to do in the event of flooding and sandbagging techniques.
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Peterborough is a lot tidier today after the city-wide cleanup efforts of volunteers everywhere in the city. It's great to see everyone who has pitched in, no matter how small the contribution.
[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]
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Roll up your sleeves, Peterborough! The community is about to get its green on. The Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough have announced an exciting new community initiative, 7 Days of Green (hashtag #7daysofgreen on Twitter). Why? To increase Peterborough’s creative dialogue about local green activities while building awareness around green living and giving.
7 Days of Green kicks off April 16th with Random Acts of Green, a day when community members throughout the City and County are challenged to incorporate green activities into their lives—and each day forward—and share them on social media. Wondering what you could do? A few simple ideas to greenify your life a little more include:
Starting April 16th, spread the word about Random Acts of Green. Why? Because every green act matters.
Tweet your Random Acts of Green and pictures to @cfgp_ and use the hashtag #randomactsofgreen, or email your info and pictures to info@cfgp.ca and you’ll become a part of history.
Yep, history.
The Community Foundation is creating a community art installation from the images that you tweet and email that will be displayed over the next year throughout the community—starting at Lansdowne Place!
For more information and a full schedule of 7 Days of Green activities, visit www.cfgp.ca/green (we're a proud sponsor of this). All events are open to the public.
To learn more about the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, go to their Facebook page or website. And if you're on Twitter, use the #7daysofgreen and #randomactsofgreen hashtags.
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Peterborough has gone to the dogs...
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Time to sweep away the deadfall as Green Waste Collection starts up this week. All leaf and yard waste is accepted and there is no maximum amount.
Put it in paper bags (plastic not accepted), bushel baskets or garbage bins marked with "Green Waste" labels.
As you can see (picture at right), my sticker is getting kind of tattered so it's time for me to head down to City Hall (or one of the Home Hardware stores) to ask for a new one.
[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]
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It's pretty gusty out there! Watch out for the tumbleweeds tumbleboxes on your way home from work that are scattered on the side streets. [UPDATED] And indeed, high winds are scheduled for all week—causing the City of Peterborough to issue this release Tuesday (April 2nd)...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2013 Peterborough, ON --
Blowing Recyclables
High winds are forecast to continue throughout this week. In order to reduce the amount of recyclable items blowing around City streets, residents are asked to please wait till the morning of your collection to place blue boxes at the curb.
Tips to avoid blowing recyclables include:
• Do not over-fill blue boxes
• Place paper and flattened cardboard sideways in your "Fiber and Plastic Film" box, rather than piling upwards.
• Place lighter materials in a secure spot (e.g. put clear plastic trays underneath heavier steel and glass containers).
Residents are encouraged to write their address on their blue boxes, so they can be identified and returned if they should blow away from your property. Lost blue boxes will not be replaced for free.
For more details, please call the City of Peterborough Waste Management Division at 705- 742-7777, extension 1657.
[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]
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Photo by Julie Morris
The 8th Annual Seed Sale and Exchange known as Seedy Sunday took place this past Sunday at George Street United Church.
Photo by Julie Morris
Organizer Jillian Bishop from Urban Tomato Lady estimates that there were approximately 1,300 people that stopped into this year's event. Tomato seeds were a popular item from booth to booth, with a demand for all sorts of varieties in size and colour, and there were many questions surrounding growing tomato plants on balconies.
Photo by Evan Holt
One of the revisions they made this year other than extending the hours was moving the seed exchange area into the kitchen to allow for more room for people to shop and trade with others.
Also, Jillian tells us that over $250 was raised for Seeds of Diversity.
Photo by Evan Holt
Overall, it was a very bustling day as folks gathered what they needed to begin their gardening season. So wonderful to see so many people taking advantage of such a great event sharing the same love of gardening.
Photo by Evan Holt
[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris and Evan Holt]
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