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October 2016 Newsletter

Dear Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour,

1) Personal Disclosure,
2) Doug Fluhrer Park, K&P Trail and turtles
3) New “NO THIRD CROSSING” Group: Important Meeting Thurs, Sept 29!
4) Death by Chocolate!
5) Ideas for spring opening of K&P Trail?
6) ON THE WALL revisited?
7) Great Bailey Broom Factory Piece
8) North King’s Town Visioning-no WSE?
9) City Brownfields Survey – Wow!
10) Free Workshops for Interested Seniors
11) Petition: Save Kingston Park Land
12) Just for fun – Imagine this in the Tannery!

1) PERSONAL DISCLOSURE:
As some of you may know, my personal life has become somewhat complicated recently with my husband suffering from dementia and currently being at the Behavioural Support Transition Unit in Belleville.  I am considering resigning from the presidency of the Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour although I would definitely remain involved – especially with the news updates.  We could really use some help – especially in looking after minor events, applying for grants, and also helping with the finances of the corporation.  If any of you are interested in helping in some small way, we would be most grateful. Many hands make light work. Contact me at inverarymary@yahoo.com

2) DOUG FLUHRER PARK, K&P TRAIL and TURTLES:
If you have been to the park recently, you will have seen the huge upheaval.  Amazing work happening so quickly.  Joe Quattrocchi says he has never seen the city work so fast!!  Great that the path will actually be ready for the July 1, 2017 deadline.  Wow!
One thing I feel greatly saddened by however is the cutting down of my favourite shade tree in the park – the one nearest 9 North St.  This beautiful old tree has generously provided us with shade for the past 5 years during all of our family events in the park.
Farewell old friend.
Also, although it is truly wonderful that turtle basking logs have been provided along the shoreline by the Woolen Mill,  we do also need them further south in the park where many turtles also live and where 25 -30 nests along the retaining wall were compromised during trail construction. Neal Unsworth of the City’s Parks Dept sent the following:

“In the K&P project, we’re only doing work close to the edge of the shore along the south facing shore of the Woolen Mill site. The future renovation of Doug Fluhrer Park will be able to consider habitat improvements with the waterfront works in that project. The future nesting area will be near the Woolen Mill and the big dead tree that was removed at the east end of the retaining wall area…near the big barge wreck that is above water this time of year.”
It really is wonderful that the city is creating a new turtle nesting area there. Questions or comments about trail or turtle habitat creation? Neal Unsworth – nunsworth@cityofkingston.ca.
Background info? www.friendsofinnerharbour.com

FYI:  Interesting piece on turtles in Kitchener hatching from newly constructed habitat:
http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6860704-hatchlings-begin-to-emerge-from-kitchener-s-first-turtle-beach/

Finally, many thanks to Vicki Schmolka and Susan Irving of Sandy PInes for putting together a couple of grant proposals to expand out turtle work next summer – with TD and the World Wildlife Centre.  Here’s hoping.

3) “NO THIRD CROSSING”
VERY IMPORTANT NEW COMMUNITY GROUP:

FYI: Inaugural press release:
“The relentless City Hall marketing campaign to sell the third crossing project to Kingstonians has met growing resistance, and sparked the formation of an opposition group – nothirdcrossing. www.nothirdcrossing.ca
If you believe the City is digging deeper and deeper into your pocket for yet more tax dollars to construct a project of dubious merit, we sincerely urge you to attend the City’s Open House to let your position be known:
City of Kingston Open House, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm – Thurs, Sept 29, LaSalle High School, 773 Highway 15 in Pittsburgh District

Members of nothirdcrossing will be there. This is one of the only opportunities the City has scheduled to get information, ask questions, and make comments about a project that will impact every Kingstonian.”

4) DEATH BY CHOCOLATE:
We are extremely grateful to Sandy PInes Wildlife Centre in Napanee for caring about our local turtle population.  This summer we assisted them in the release of two Snapping Turtles, two Northern Map turtles and 5 Northern Map hatchlings into Doug Fluhrer Park.  We are happy to assist with their fund raising appeals.

Calling all bakers! It’s almost DEATH BY CHOCOLATE time again, and this year’s new organizer, Nicole Butler, is looking for your help to donate chocolate goodies for this Sandy Pines fundraiser. It will be held Thurs, Oct 27, from 7-9 pm at the Napanee Golf and Country Club.”
In the meantime, if you can help phone Marsha, the fund-raising coordinator at 613-354-4010.

5) SPRING OPENING OF K&P TRAIL?
If you have any ideas you would like to propose, please get in touch.  At present, we are considering some sort of ride in conjunction with South Frontenac and also with Cycle Week and the Commuter Challenge riding from the Trans Canada Trail in Sydenham to Kingston’s downtown, picking people up on the way.  Also possibly a 5, 10 15, 20 km family run/cycle/wheelchair/whatever – beginning and ending in Doug Fluhrer Park.
All ideas welcome.  Contact inverarymary@yahoo.com or Chrystal at the Kingston Outdoor Adventure Club – kayakchk@gmail.com.

6) ON THE WALL AGAIN?
Should we try one more time in 2017?
Should it have a theme associated with Canada’s 150th birthday?
Better to simply become a legal wall?
The city is willing to put forward a bit of money to help!
Would you like to help too?  With organization?  Promotions?
Contact inverarymary@yahoo.com

7) BAILEY BROOM FACTORY ARTICLE:
Great informative piece in Whig-Standard:
http://www.thewhig.com/2016/09/18/city-finds-buyer-for-old-broom-factory
Such a wonderful initiative – selling the property to the developer for $1.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the city could repeat that with all of the 60+ vacant lots in the downtown.  Just think of the tax dollars it could generate!

8) NORTH KING’S TOWN VISIONING – OPPOSITION TO THE EXTENSION?
Lovely CKWS piece.
http://www.ckwstv.com/2016/09/19/public-weighs-in-on-north-kings-town-project

9) CITY BROWNFIELDS SURVEY
For once- a city survey where you can actually speak your mind.  Amazing!!!
https://youropinion.cityofkingston.ca/surveys/websurvey/brownfields-survey/?p=1&s=eyJwYWdlcGF0aCI6IFswLCAxXSwgInJhbmRvbV9zZWVkIjogIjA0YWU4MjJkZGNiMjU5YWUwY2M3NmM3ZTEwZWE2NmQ1ZmYzYzhjZGUifQ%3D%3D&h=5d18c4e266949328170c970d29cb8c54&k=2cc23d9ae8a6f64f13a08a8c1ebbd0bb72910bb8&__cache_key__=93f71a9d10082dc41a10e95197e49a4f

10) FREE WORKSHOP FOR SENIORS
Transformation of Doctor’s Visits from the 1800s to today.
Place: Museum of Health Care, Ann Baillie Building National Historic Site (32 George Street)
Dates: Friday, Sept 30 and Sat, Oct 1
Time: 10:00 am to noon
Cost: Free
Pre-registration required: Call 613-548-2419, email info@museumofhealthcare.ca, or book online.

11) PETITION – SUNNYSIDE PARKLAND:
FYI:  From sister community organization: OurNeighbourhood.ca

Dear Friend of Our Neighbourhood,
Please support this effort by SIGNING AND SHARING the petition at:
https://www.change.org/p/kingston-city-council-sunnyside-neighbourhood-parkland-petition?recruiter=429730106&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive
In addition to this online petition, a paper-based petition is being circulated. If you can assist, please let us know ASAP by return email. Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated,
Rob and John, Co-chairs                                            www.OurNeighbourhood.ca

BACKGROUND
The following Motion was approved by Our Neighbourhood at its General Meeting of September 13, 2016.
THAT WHEREAS THE ST MARY’S SCHOOL SITE HAS BEEN A DOWNTOWN EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL AND PUBLIC GATHERING SPACE SINCE 1949;
AND WHEREAS KINGSTON CITY COUNCIL HAS ACQUIRED THE SITE FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES, PRIMARILY PARK SPACE;
AND WHEREAS THE FUTURE — USE OF THIS SITE IS OF SIGNIFICANT INTEREST TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE SUNNYSIDE NEIGHBOURHOOD AS WELL AS FORMER AND FUTURE SITE USERS:
NOW THEREFORE CITY COUNCIL BE REQUESTED TO INSTRUCT STAFF TO ESTABLISH A PROCESS SUPPORTED BY A PROJECT PLAN FOR DETERMINING AND IMPLEMENTING THE BEST — USE OF THE SUBJECT LANDS, SUCH PROCESS TO INCLUDE:
1. A DETAILED PROJECT PLAN OUTLINING KEY EVENTS AND TIMING INCLUDING A PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT COMPONENT, SUCH PROJECT PLAN TO BE SUBMITTED TO COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION AND ENDORSEMENT PRIOR TO FURTHER ACTION BEING TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO THE DISPOSITION OF THE SITE,
2. A LAND — USE AND SITE DESIGN STUDY TO  DETERMINE THE MOST APPROPRIATE USE(S) OF THE SITE, BEARING IN MIND IT’S LONGSTANDING — USE AS PUBLIC SPACE, IT BEING UNDERSTOOD THAT SUCH STUDY MAY INVOLVE THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSIDERATIONOF MULTIPLE SCENARIOS FOR POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT,
3. A ROBUST PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS, COMMENCING WITH THE PRESENTATION OF THE PROJECT PLAN AND AN INVITATION FOR INTERESTED PARTIES TO PROVIDE IDEAS AND INPUT.
AND THAT COMMUNITY SUPPORT BE OBTAINED FOR THE ABOVE BY ALL POSSIBLE MEANS, INCLUDING A PETITION AND/OR OPEN LETTER TO THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

We believe that the process followed by the City in this case will set the stage for the redevelopment of surplus school sites across the City. The City is long overdue for a clear policy and citizen-based process (that is consistently followed) related to surplus public lands.
All Kingston Neighbourhoods, their Associations and occupants are invited to join us. Please visit our website below for further information.
Rob and John Co-chairs                                             www.OurNeighbourhood.ca

12) JUST FOR FUN – IMAGINE THIS IN THE TANNERY!

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/toronto/which-high-profile-musical-couple-now-owns-rosedales-curvy-castle-of-calculus/article31983170/

In the meantime, best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving – only two weeks away!
Cheers,
Mary Farrar,
President, Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour