Problems and Follow-up 2008

July 8

Photos taken by a CELOS researcher:

The BMX track at the west end of the park
Click to enlarge.

Piles of dirt left by the BMX track.
Click to enlarge.

July 9

Email from Dyan Marie to Tino DeCastro, recreation supervisor

Note: Dyan Marie is the founder of a local community group called Dig In

Date: July 9, 2008
From: Dyan Marie
To: Tino DeCastro
CC: Adam Giambrone, Chris Gallop
Subject: Wallace Emerson Park - Bike Trail Mess at the west end (gang - Rexdale Boys?)

Hi Tino,

Are you aware of what is happening with the west end of Wallace Emerson Park?

There are several large dumps of new soil ready for expanding the unused, unattractive bike trail at the west end of the park, while many requests to address the concerns of local resident and park users have gone unaddressed for the past two years. Could we discuss that if the trail in place now is to stay, the following be undertaken (as promised in several past discussions with the designer and as part of the original agreement and design)

The hills repaired

Better landscaped,

The wood on top of the highest hill (that makes it look like a dangerous garbage heap) should be removed

The edge around the south side of the trail should be leveled out as a pathway for park user (as it stands now it cuts off the whole south edge of the park)

Grass should continue to be cut on the south edge to facilitate walking.

No new work should move forward without first addressing these outstanding promises - and then - only with community discussion regarding design.

Additionally - to my understanding - as reported to me by neighbourhoods and the owner of Lucky's food Mark on Lappin - The Rexdale Boys have rented a house that backs into the park (same house that has been a problem in the past). I am told that The Rexdale Boys have a gun history and have been using the long grass on the south edge of the bike trail - where they are hidden - to drink and lay about.

As you are aware, the bike trail did have some support in the past but because agreements have not been respected that is disappearing. Please take a walk out to see this and I’m sure you will also see why. I am disappointed with how this has turned out - on top of everything else - we have a gang moving in to use it.

We have an excellent maintained bike park in place meters away at the east end of the park, that Officer Mills help to locate beside the skating rink. Why is this one at the west end expanding when it's not used and a better one is readily available?

I may have missed some information that may change my understanding and am happy to discuss this but feel sure that this needs immediate attention in light of the unagreed upon expansion in process and the mess that the park is now in.

I greatly appreciate your suggestions and insight on this matter and help and leadership in figuring out how to resolve this.

Dyan

October 27

Photos of the park taken today by Dyan Marie:

BMX ramps in front of the community centre
Click to enlarge.

The BMX track at the west end of the park
Click to enlarge.

Garbage by the hockey rink fence
Click to enlarge.

BMX ramps at the east end of the park
Click to enlarge.

The BMX track at the west end of the park
Click to enlarge.

Burned BMX ramp on the rink pleasure pad
Click to enlarge.

October 28

Email from Peter Leiss parks supervisor and acting manager

Date: October 28, 2008
From: Peter Leiss
To: Dyan Marie
Cc: Roman Andryjowycz, Allan Crawford, Michael Heaton, Christopher Martin
Subject: Re: Wallace Emerson Park - today

Thanks

We are working on all of these issues.

Roman have Dans guys clean up the garbage.

Allan, Michael the BMX dirt track will have to be cleaned up and landscaped. Please work with Chris Martin on this.

Peter Leiss
Parks Supervisor Toronto East York
711 Lakeshore Blvd W
Toronto, Ontario M5V 3T7
416 392 7945 Office
416 392 4186 Fax
pleiss@toronto.ca

Email from Dyan Marie

Date: October 28, 2008
From: Dyan Marie
To: Christopher Martin, Tino DeCastro, Adam Giambrone, Kevin Beaulieu, Chris Gallop, Donna Cowan, friends of Wallace-Emerson Park
Subject: Wallace Emerson Friends - report - garbage - BMX - pool

Dear all,

News update for Friends of Wallace-Emerson Park.

Peter Leiss confirmed that garbage is being removed (the area behind the BMX court now has big stones discarded from the hills that make it hard to cut the grass.)

Chris Martin - mentioned by Peter Leiss - cmartin@toronto.ca - is our contact regarding what is being done to address the BMX track. I understand that there is a plan - Chris - it would be wonderful and much appreciated if you would let us know what the plan is.

Tino DeCastro says the pool is planned to open early in December.

No further word regarding damage to the ice rink - it may have melted pipes caused by the BMX fire.

Response - please cc Friends of Wallace-Emerson Park list above and please forward to others that may want to be informed as a Friend of Wallace-Emerson Park.

Thank you

Email from Peter Leiss

Date: October 28, 2008
From: Peter Leiss
To: Dyan Marie, Adam Giambrone, Kevin Beaulieu, Chris Gallop, Donna Cowan, friends of Wallace-Emerson Park
CC: Christopher Martin
Subject:Re: Wallace Emerson Friends - report - garbage - BMX - pool

Hi All

Tino DeCastro and myself are also the contacts for what is happening regarding the BMX trac. Chris will be working with me to improve the appearance.

Peter Leiss
Parks Supervisor Toronto East York
711 Lakeshore Blvd W
Toronto, Ontario M5V 3T7
416 392 7945 Office
416 392 4186 Fax
pleiss@toronto.ca

October 30

Email from Christopher Martin

Date: 0ctober 30, 2008
From: Christopher Martin
To: Dyan Marie
CC: Tino DeCastro, Adam Giambrone, Kevin Beaulieu, Chris Gallop, Donna Cowan, friends of Wallace-Emerson
Subject: Wallace Emerson Park - developing a planting plan for BMX area

Hi Marie

Thanks for your e-mail.

Forwarded e-mail advises steps taken thus far on this issue brought to my attention by Peter Leiss and yourself.

Regards

Chris

Forwarded Email

Date: October 30, 2008
From: Christopher Martin
To: Allan Crawford, Michael Heaton
CC: Roman Andryjowycz, Chris Katsandris, Peter Leiss, Dyan Marie
Subject: Wallace Emerson Park - developing a planting plan for BMX area

Hi Allan and Michael:

Please let me know if we can meet on site Monday or Tuesday next week, thus far I am available between 10 a. m. and 12:30 p.m. on both of these days?

Thanks

October 31

Email from Dyan Marie

Date: October 31, 2008
From: Dyan Marie
To: Christopher Martin, Allan Crawford, Michael Heaton, Roman Andryjowicz, Roman Katsandris, Peter Leiss
CC: Tino DeCastro, Adam Giambrone, Kevin Beaulieu, Chris Gallop, Donna Cowan, friends of Wallace-Emerson
Subject: Re: Wallace Emerson Park - developing a planting plan for BMX area

As mentioned - unfortunately I am only in town Monday next week but please don't let me hold you back - delighted that something moves forward regarding improving Wallace-Emerson Park.

For your meeting - appreciate it if you would consider the following outstanding concerns re BMX trail area:

• the path along the fence needs to be better established to maintain use so that it stops being a hang-out or cut off from the main sites of the park (thank you Rick and others that tried to flatten a path and plant grass seed)
• the hills are too high for all but experts and I have head that even they are afraid
• this has been a construction mess for the past two years and the area surrounding it has been damaged as well and is in need of landscaping repair
• earth, that we were told was for repair this year, was used to make the site even higher and larger
• blocked views in and out of the trail
• large stones and garbage are collecting behind the BMX trail
• needs to be more attractive in design and better integrated into the park so that is not a one use site, incorporated walking paths through it would help
• regarding water run-off ponds in the center, would be interesting to have them addressed as a park wetlands to add to the site
• greening the sides of the hills

Thank you for your attention.

Dyan