UPDATE – This event will not take place on Sunday.
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Allison Young who lives in the neighbourhood would like to raise awareness of the upcoming City Council meeting about the future of the Medway Valley Environmentally Significant Area. As Sunday is Earth Day, she was hoping you would join her between 10-12 am on Sunday, April 22 on either side of the bridge at Wonderland Road where it crosses over the Snake Creek portion of the Valley, just below the Museum.
People could make signs (‘Save Medway Valley’ for example) and bring their kids dressed up as animals if they have any costumes laying around.
Allison will contact the media (CBC London and the Free Press) so we will get some coverage.
It will only be effective if people show up though, so all those interested should email Allison at allisonyoung73@gmail.com directly so that she can get a feel of how much support there is for this. If she gets a good response, she will confirm the details tomorrow, Saturday.
The draft Medway ESA Conservation Master Plan went to the City’s Planning and Environment Committee of Council for review on Monday. After 11:30 pm Monday night, this ended in a 3-3 tie vote. Councillor Park moved a motion to remove the bridge in our area, and got support from Hopkins and Turner (our Councillor, Phil Squire, is not on this Committee, and was therefore not eligible to vote, but he is certainly opposed to the bridges). The motion to remove the bridge was opposed by the Mayor, Councillors Helmer and Cassidy.
Because this was a tie vote, this means the staff recommendation goes to the full council next week (April 24th) for debate – the STAFF recommendation is for two bridges.
An engineer from the consulting firm which builds bridges indicated it is likely the span of the bridges will be about 25 m – roughly 75 feet across the Medway.
Enlarged Map – Site of proposed bridge site D in Medway (near Doncaster entrance)
If you are concerned about these proposed bridges and want your message heard, you should contact each Councillor. You can also put your comments on the public record by having them included on the Council agenda. Here are the e-mail addresses:
For the Council agenda, letters should be address to the Mayor and Members of Council and sent to lmorris@london.ca with a request that your comments appear on the Council agenda of April 24th.
For writing Councillors individually, here are the addresses:
What about the tree cutting that has taken place near to where a bridge is proposed?
This is a London Hydro project. They are replacing the hydro poles.
Sherwood Forest School Site Meeting – Wednesday, April 18
Don’t forget the meeting tomorrow night at 7 pm on the second floor of Medway Arena where the agent for the developer will be discussing the plans for the residential housing on part of the former Sherwood Forest School. At our AGM in May, a representative will be talking about the parks planning process.
London Artist Studio Tour – April 20-22
The 2018 London Artists’ Studio Tour is April 20th, 21st and 22nd. This self-guided tour offers the public an extraordinary opportunity to meet local artists in their working environments and learn more about their creative processes. Friday, April 20th is opening night. Between the hours of 7 and 9:30 p.m., tour-goers are treated to refreshments and first choice of the artists’ works. Studios remain open Saturday, April 21st from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 22nd from noon to 5 p.m.
There will be booklets for the tour available outside the home of local artist Marlies Gueth at 60 Bloomfield Dr.
PD Camp at the Museum of Archaeology – April 27th
It’s a day of hands-on learning at MOA’s PA Day Camp on Friday, April 27. Types of activities: nature hikes, creating pinch pots, cookie excavations or other crafts.
Save your spot and register today! Call 519-473-1360 or go on line for a registration form
Community Garage Sale – May 12th
Saturday May 12 th from 8am to 12 noon. Clean the house….Clean the garage… Join the fun. Make some cash… “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure…” Details to follow.
AGM and BBQ May 24th at Orchard Park Public School
Join everyone at 6 pm for hot dogs and hamburgers followed by our Annual General Meeting. This is rain or shine, we will have a number of pop up tents available to keep off the rain or a hot sun.
Keep an Eye Out
There was a report of a group of young men smoking dope while driving a white/ grey run down Honda near Orchard Park Public School who harassed and chased some younger children. This was reported to the police.
Invitation to a community information meeting about the residential infill development by Forest Park Homes for part of the former Sherwood Forest Public School site:
There is a proposal for two new, likely large, bridges across the Medway including one adjacent to the “beach” in our area. (On the maps in the report, they are called “trail linkages”). This is a significant change to this Environmentally Significant Area and to our neighbourhood.
There has been an off and on effort from the City to bridge the Creek for the last 20 years. Each time our community has been outspoken with our concerns about the negative impacts on the natural environment increased use will cause. As you will note in the report and on the maps, there are large areas of habitat and examples of species at risk that are already stressed. Continue reading “Lots of Neighbourhood News…”→
The final report and background material for the Medway ESA Conservation Master Plan Review can be found at 