Dear Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour,
1) Actually Breathtaking – Walk the old North End rail trails.
Join us May 9.
2) Reminder of Trail Clean-up May 9.
3) Volunteers needed for Family Friday Picnics in the Park
4) Ad Hoc Architecture Initiative
5) Ad Hoc Cycling Initiative
6) Your Input to the Official Plan Update
7) Raw Design and the Bailey Broom Company
8) Spin off from ON THE WALL
9) Other Upcoming Community Events and Summer Camps:
Janes Walks, Bottle Tree Summer Camp, Peddle and Paddle Summer Camp, May Long Weekend Family Music Event
10) Wellington St. Extension Update
1) ACTUALLY BREATHTAKING!
Some of the old rail/trail lines between John Counter and Railway.
Come explore with us by foot or by bike. Parking available.
11:30 -12:30 am Saturday, May 9. Meet at John Counter and Elliot
What do you think is the best path for cyclists to come into the downtown from the Trans Canada Trail?
Let’s get the K&P trail finished to the downtown!
2) REMINDER: MAY 9 TRAIL CLEAN-UP DAY
(RAIN DATE SUNDAY MAY 10)
9 – 11 am. Meet just north of Rideau and River Sts.
Coffee, fruit and goodies provided.
Followed by 11:30 rail to trail walk for those interested.
(See item 1 above)
3) VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP WITH FAMILY FRIDAY PICNICS IN THE PARK THIS SUMMER. Burgandy Dunn did a totally amazing job last year organizing our TGIF picnics in the park that included activities provided by the Boys and Girls Club each day as well as crafts or activities such as the Queen’s Barefoot Players, Stories in the Park, the Kingston Field Naturalists info and craft sessions etc. She is now expecting mid-summer and needs some help. She is happy to continue doing the basic contacting and organizing for each happening all summer long. But she would honestly truly appreciate it if anyone might consider stepping forward to help out by meeting and greeting people at one event and bringing along a watermelon for thirsty guests.
PLEASE – IT’S JUST FOR ONE FRIDAY PM IN JULY OR AUGUST.
It means everything. Otherwise we cannot continue these great community events.
4) AD HOC ARCHITECTURE INITIATIVE
Thursday May 7, 6:30 pm, City’s Planning Committee, Council Chambers, City Hall
Don Campbell has stepped forward to organize a small committee to press the city to make sure its new buildings in the North Block and elsewhere are stunning. He is doing a delegation at the City’s upcoming Planning Committee meeting. All welcome. More info? doncampbell1941@gmail.com
5) AD HOC CYCLING INITIATIVE
Roger Healey is chair of an exciting new group dedicated to:
a) making sure the K&P trail to the downtown is completed by Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017, and
b) creating a network of “cycle priority routes” on quiet back streets in Kingston and on pathways connecting neighbourhoods with one another and the waterfront. No extra infrastructure required. Simply signage and a reduced speed limit. More info? healey@queensu.ca
6) YOUR INPUT INTO THE CITY’S OFFICIAL PLAN UPDATE
Paige Agnew, City Planner, is inviting you to a morning coffee chat in a casual setting to talk about what is important to you in terms of city planning. She really wants to hear from Kingston citizens.
Thursday May 14, 9 – 10:30 am, Portsmouth Olympic Harbour Front Lounge Room.
More info and registration?
https://www.cityofkingston.ca/
www.cityofkingston.ca/
7) CITY IN CONSULTATION WITH RAW DESIGN INC from Toronto re possible building on the old Bailey Broom Company site. The buildings on their webpage look exciting. www.rawdesign.ca
8) SPIN OFF FROM ON THE WALL
Yessi Belsham Rivera has created a wonderful new webpage: www.streetartkingston.wix.com
9) COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS RE SUMMER CAMPS AND OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS:
a) JANE’S WALKS REMINDER FOR THIS WEEKEND
Inner Harbour Heritage Tour, 1 pm Sunday, meeting in the Anglin Parking lot behind OHIP off Wellington. If you haven’t already gone on one of these walks, you will find out all sorts of interesting things about the Aboriginal, French and Industrial heritage of the Inner Harbour. Stories and pictures from the past as well as discussion about the future included.
For other really interesting Janes Walks on both Saturday and Sunday, visit www.janeswalks.org
b) BOTTLE TREE PRODUCTIONS – TWO GREAT JULY SUMMER CAMPS. Each two weeks long and each culminating in wonderful public performances. The first is Cinderella; the second Puss in Boots. Both written by Charles Robertson with music by Michael K Myers. All experience levels welcome! More info? http://www.bottletreeinc.com/
c) PEDAL AND PADDLE CAMP – Cycle Kingston is pleased to introduce a unique human-powered summer day camp this July for youth ages 12-14. This camp combines skill-building with fun and exploration. Youth will learn safe cycling, cycling skills, bicycle maintenance and trip planning skills for half the week. Then they will learn canoeing safety, paddling techniques and canoe handling for the rest of the week. Fun games, swimming, and excursions around Kingston by land and by water also included. Cost $250 per youth for a one week camp. Camp is offered two different weeks: July 6-10 and July 13-17. Space is limited to maintain a high supervision ratio. Register soon. Info and registration? www.cyclekingston.ca/courses.
d) MAY LONG WEEKEND ALL-FAMILY MUSIC EVENT
Mulberry Waldorf School Sunday May 17, 2pm
Looking for a fabulous family event for you and your children this May Long Weekend? Look no further! Join Juno-nominated children’s artist, Gary Rasberry & The Woodshed Orchestra for a musical matinee at the Mulberry Waldorf School on Sunday May 17th, 2 pm. Music Festival Saturday June 20.
Tickets $20/Family $10 Adults $5 Children.
More info? gwrasberry@gmail.com www.garyrasberry.com
10) WELLINGTON ST. EXTENSION UPDATE
For the most recent information the wellingtonx.wordpress.com blogpage is the best continuing and up-to-date source.
For a recent staff report suggesting that money be spent on
a) preparation of a secondary plan for the Inner Harbour and Old Industrial Area, and
b) an update to the current Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Wellington St. Extension visit – https://www.cityofkingston.ca/
Our position is that a secondary plan seems like a good idea for both the Old Industrial Area and the Inner Harbour area. But that there is no rush to do yet another EA until other alternatives such as better transit options, increased numbers of park and rides, car sharing apps, as well as thorough examination of smart growth possibilities in the area has been completed. It is time for the city to show leadership by really working on sustainable alternatives in line with its stated aim of becoming Canada’s most sustainable city.
As always, thank you so very much for your support,
Cheers,
Mary Farrar,
President,
Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour