Waterfront Parks Manager James Dann took a crowd of us for a stroll starting at the Balmy Beach Club and ending at the Kew Gardener’s Cottage. Along the way he enlightened us about Blue Flag beaches. Beaches that meet the highest of international standards for clean water, clean beaches, excellent washrooms and conscientious environmental practices are allowed to fly the Blue Flag. Toronto has several of them.Technically speaking, dogs are not allowed on Blue Flag beaches, but James admitted that we ignore that condition in Toronto.
Dogs are recognized as family members by most Beach area residents, so they get large, fenced areas for off-leash romping. A member of our party took the opportunity to draw attention to a piece of seriously bad signage and James agreed that it would have to be replaced.
Wouldn’t you think, at a glance, that this sign OK’d off-leash dog walking right where it is posted? In fact, the tiny arrow in the red circle I have added gives directions to the real off-leash area, quite far away from the sign. Bad, bad, bad design.
We learned of plans for a public bonfire pit, ongoing maintenance programs for the boardwalk itself, visions of extensions to the waterside path, new, more frequent garbage pick-ups, and a determined effort to build and maintain the best of restroom facilities.
It was a special treat to get inside the iconic Gardener’s Cottage. It is unoccupied at present and usually closed to the public because it isn’t properly accessible. I’ll have to do a slide show of some of the pictures we took inside. Coming soon.
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A few things I learned from today’s Jane’s Walk: 1. there are new garbage bins coming to the boardwalk, ones city crews will empty instead of parks staff (I hope the city crews are neater emptying the beach containers as my street is more garbage strewn post pick-up).
2. significant attention is given to the washroom facilities along the boardwalk strip. I can’t remember ever using these facilities but now that I know the attention they get, I might do a pop-in.
3. our beach area has one of the greatest density of oak trees within Toronto, High Park also shares this acclaim.
Good points, all. Love your observation about the mess left behind on city streets AFTER the garbage trucks have been by. I remember, too, that James Dann said we could quote him when he admitted that, for many years, Boardwalk washrooms were “disgusting”.
You both look great! It must be nice to have good weather and spring.
Our leaves are just beginning. The snow has gone.