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March 2000 Newsletter

Constructive Work in the Valley

On Feb17, Bill Powell, the founder of Festival of Friends and Earthsong, was our guest speaker. He presented some inspirational, creative and spiritual ways that the valley can be improved. An expressway was not even mentioned!

Mr. Powell has some fond childhood memories of Red Hill and believes strongly that one very important way to help save it from being destroyed is by changing the way it is perceived by a diverse range of people. Below are some of his ideas and visions. Perhaps you or someone you know has some expertise in one of these areas. Call Friends at 381-0240 if you like one of the ideas and can help out in some way. The region will have a harder time convincing people that it is worth destroying the valley as its positive and attractive features become known far and wide.

  • Interdenominational Wildwood Church - A chapel in a sylvan area with a prominent focus for a speaker, with split-stump benches for seating. A local church could supervise the area and provide it for weddings and other spiritual activities.

  • Community Gardens - Using a section of the valley to provide apartment dwellers with a place to grow vegetables. This has been a great success elsewhere in the city.

  • Butterfly Meadow / Hummingbird Haven - This involves planting seeds of colourful wildflowers in sunny spots in the valley. Very simple and quite an attraction once it is established.

  • Cubs / Beavers Overnight Camping - A great place to introduce kids to overnight camping. Safe and close to home.

  • Improved Bird Habitat - Erecting houses and shelters for bluebirds, wood ducks, and other birds is simple to do and could become a project for a local school or church group.

  • Stump and Stone Gallery - Use of tree stumps by local artists to display a memorial sculpture or carving. This area becomes a sort of outdoor gallery. The same idea has been used in Toronto to display historically significant cornices, gargoyles, and archways that would otherwise have been lost.

  • Aquatic Enhancement - Improving the creek and wetlands by increasing habitat and re-introducing former species.

  • Equestrian / Skiing - Trails in the valley could also be used for horses in the summer and for cross-country skiing in the winter.

  • Harrier Runs - Foot races which involve three "hares" who start 4 minutes before the rest. They mark the trail with paper pieces which are "corporate coupons". These are collected by the other runners who turn them in for prizes.

Consider becoming involved in one of these projects. Maybe you even have a great idea of your own. Bill Powell has generously offered to meet with anyone interested. He obviously has experience with success. With his help, we may be able to obtain business support for some of these initiatives.

"Whatever happens, remember by our actions we can create other stakeholders in the valley. Their interest and support will not only Save the Valley but make it the greenspace jewel of the east end." - Bill Powell


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