Downsview Lands Community Voice Association
Information forum on Downsview Park for residents and park enthusiasts
Newsletter 72 October 2021
Downsviewnewsletter@gmail.com downsviewlandscommunity.org
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No happy outcome for American Elm #668 in the William Baker woodlot
 While Canada Lands has not yet made its decision about the future of this mature tree, arborist Heather Schibli of Duggan & Associates says its days as a self-sustaining organism are numbered.
The long gash created by the splitting off a a third branch in late June turns out to be a decisive blow.
Because the bark cannot regenerate itself over such a large opening, and because no artificial coating can provide a replacement seal, this magnificent tree is susceptible to disease and infestation over the long run.
Even though the remaining two limbs are totally healthy and vigorous.
An unanswered question in the proposed Wm Baker District Plan?
Can the three-part heritage woodlot survive with 4000 condos all around it?
The currently protected woodlot is approximately 20 acres in size, being 1/3 of the area of the planned subdivision
The plan seeks to put streets all around the woodlot, a central path through it, and residential units all around it
The planners have all kinds of ideas for upgrading and improving this one-of-a-kind greenspace (while reducing its area), calling it a win-win scenario
This woodlot has been decades in the making, and despite occasional infestations and human interference, it has proved to be self-sustaining.
But what happens when you surround it with dense human development?
Can it survive this major existential shock?
The DLCVA remains deeply suspicious and has recently lodged the following objections with City's Planning Dept.
How invasive is this?
Summing up: William Baker District Plan
 Ya'ara Saks re-elected in York Centre riding
Ya'ara Saks (Liberal): 47%
Joel Yakov Etienne: (Conservative) 38%
Kemal Ahmed (NDP): 10%
Nixon Nguyen (PPC): 5%
As a self-financing federal park in a big city run by an appointed crown corporation, Downsview Park is very much aware of which way the winds are blowing in Ottawa.
Hence the importance of any federal election.
Ms Sak's constituency office is Unit 2, 2800 Keele St.
City councillor James Pasternak's office is Unit 1, 2800 Keele St
(side-by-side offices very helpful for citizens needing assistance)
Indigenous-themed art installation featured atop the Mound
What is this: temporary "sculpture" at the top of the (20m high) Mound in Downsview Park
Title: Wind Rose
Creators: Chris and Greg Mitchell
Why it resonates: the blue is for the elements always pushing and pressing against us
the white traveller is passing through
the black turtle is all about the land and being grounded
as would be appropriate for a Mi'kmac meeting place
How long is it here: until September 2022
State-of-the-art urban farm taking shape at south end of the park
What used to be barren grassland has been transformed into a multifaceted agricultural operation
At the moment it is a hyperactive construction site strewn with future trees/shrubs and heavy equipment
 Fully committed to organic and sustainable farming- Fully integrated 11-acre agricultural and educational operation
- Visitor friendly
- Teaching pavilion and washroom
- Growing area fully (post & wire) fenced
- New paved walkways give access to the park's circuit path and orchard pavilion
- Gravel perimeter pathway frames the farming operation
- Off-hour security enhanced by CCTV and electrical illumination
- Surface-level transit drop-off and pickup
- Additional vehicular parking spaces defined by naturalized stone walls
- Hundreds of native specie saplings and bushes planted
- Multiple windbreaks & natural drainage swales
Completion is scheduled for the end of 2021 ??? Well worth a visit !
The DLCVA's October 16 free tree giveaway / what species most residents wanted?
7 Sugar Maple (up to 60' high and 40' wide)
2 Hackberry (up to 40' high and 25' wide)
8 Red Oak (up to 60' high and 60' wide)
8 Eastern Redbud (20-30' high and wide)
3 Serviceberry (15-25' high and wide)
6 Grey Dogwood (15' high and 15' wide)
11 Purple Flowering Raspberry (5' high, 8' wide)
9 Bush Honesuckle (3' high, 3' wide)
TOTAL 54
Rita Delcasale Nikki Lobello Rosanna & Luciano Iaboni Giancarlo Randazzo
Trees were provided by the City of Toronto
The assistance of HomeLife Romano Realty and Wilson Village BIA is gratefully acknowledged
For various reasons, several trees/shrubs were not picked up.
These were donated to St. Conrad's school in memory of Olivia Sarracini, the 18 year old Downsview student fatally injured in a drunk driver accident last year
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