At the end of the week I managed to get away with my wife for a day of relaxation in one of favorite little get-a-way spots, Port Dover.  As usual being there on a weekday before the busy tourist season meant we were able to listen to the birds, wind and waves. We watched the birds play, people fish and a few boats come and go.

Gulls on the pier

Waiting for the lift bridge to rise to allow passage up river.

Reminded me of times gone by, so I processed for the vintage look.

Winds picked up, creating some rough waters late in the afternoon.

Just as we returned home there was a short squeal followed by a loud bang.  Police, fire and two ambulances on the scene but nobody needed to be taken away.  There are good days!

Sometimes you need to just slow down and look at the little things around you to appreciate life. Spring is a beautiful time to do that. Some of the little things in and around my yard.

Flowers have a fragrance. Do weeds? Ever checked?

Time to put this away for the year. Birds need to feed themselves. Besides, chipmunks are eating more than the birds.

Life Veins

Removing the vine, preparing for a new porch.

Be sure to take time to enjoy the little things in life.

Have a great week.

J.

A mid morning visit to Riverside Park this past weekend brought back memories of youth and emphasized the true value and meaning of the dam and mill pond on the Speed River at Riverside Park in Preston.

There on the banks of the river, were two children with a couple of adults.  I approached and asked the adults if I could photograph the kids fishing and told them that the photos would be on the Internet.  I explained I was a small part of a group interested in making sure the dam at the park would not be removed, thus insuring that moments like they were enjoying could continue for future generations.  They consented and I spent the next few minutes watching the kids.

As grandpa fished, in between untangling lines and hooks, and grandma continually went from one grandchild to the other I created. It’s interesting how we have to learn the peacefulness and relaxation of the art of fishing. It seems that to every beginner fishing is about the same thing; casting as far as you can and then quickly reeling in the line to see what is on it.  Patience, some learn it early, and some wait until late in life.

Week 17 – Project 52

Recently there have been many stories appearing in newspapers, on line newsfeeds, and on the local CTV news broadcast regarding the stocking of 500 brown trout in Mill Creek in Cambridge on or about April 25^th of this year.  Now, normally this would mean nothing to me and I would have just glanced over and then forgotten all about it. This year it is different.

My interest in seeing the preservation and restoration of the dam at King Street in Preston and thus keeping the historic value of the mill pond created by that dam, has changed my perspective on this fish stocking endeavour. Being one that hates to see hard earned tax dollars wasted or spent unwisely, my first question was “how much did this cost and who paid for it?” Thus I made this inquiry of councillors Tucci and Kiefer. To their credit, they both answered promptly. The problem, as is often the case when dealing with multi-tiered levels of governments or government agencies, is determining whose jurisdiction and budget the matter falls under.

Mr. Kiefer wrote:

“The Ministry of Natural Resources paid for the fish (trout) and the “Friends of Mill Creek” donated their time. It was done over the lunch hour so even staff donated their time. Virtually no cost.”

From Mr. Paul Willms, Sustainability Planner – The City of Cambridge, I received:

The trout were stocked through the Ministry of Natural Resources hatchery/stocking program, however this was the first year that the Friends of Mill Creek, City, GRCA participated in order to bring some awareness of a (rare) coldwater stream in an urban area. The Cambridge/Mill Creek stop was one of five that day across Southern Ontario.

So, it would appear there was some cost, (growing the fish, transporting them to Mill Creek) but it is unclear what level of government has this in their budget. To put it in plain English: It cost the taxpayer money but we’re not sure whether we took it from your left, right, or back pocket.

It is also the first time I have ever heard of the group “Friends of Mill Creek.”

So why is this of interest to me and what does it have to do with the dam at Riverside Park.

One of the arguments for removing the dam is that doing so will allow the water to run faster, without obstruction. With over growth and the faster flowing water the temperature of the water can be reduced which is better for the fish. In addition the removal of the dam will allow the fish to move up stream.

If that is the case, and we are concerned about the water temperature and the movement of the fish, then the natural question in my mind is why not remove the dam on Mill Creek at Shade’s Mill.  Would that not allow the fish to move upstream all the way to Aberfoyle?

As it is 500 trout were released into an area of Mill Creek that allows them the freedom to move approximately 1.5 miles.  In one of the articles in the press it was stated that if they (the 500 released trout) go beyond the Kerr Street Bridge they were likely to be washed downstream into the Grand River.

Here I have included a map of the area. On it I have highlighted Mill Creek in green, circled the approximate area of Soper Park (red), marked the location of the Shade’s Mill dam, the Kerr Street Bridge and where the creek comes out and enters into the Grand River.  (The stream flows underground from approximately Main Street until it enters the river)

ARE WE MORE CONCERNED WITH THE FISH ENJOYING SOPER PARK OR THE PEOPLE?

Before the naturalization of Mill Creek, there was grass all the way to the edge of the creek and a small dam in the park.  Throughout the summer you could find children playing in the water.  In fact if you look at the Google Map you will see where it clearly marks “Galt’s first public swimming location” However, swimming doesn’t happen much anymore because of the way the creek was naturalized. The thick growth around the stream has made it near impossible to enjoy.  These pictures show why.  The thick growth means you have to squeeze between thickets in many areas before getting to the water.

Looking downstream from the bridge at the back of Soper Park

Climbing through the thickets and looking toward the tennis courts.

This is approximately where the dam used to be and children would play and swim.

Duck sitting in one of the filthy ponds just off the creek.

Garbage in the pond just in front of the duck pictured above.

In the other pond a goose nests, surrounded by garbage.

Only a few days later was the opening of trout season. I went to the park where I saw about a dozen people fishing the waters of Mill Creek.  I had expected more after the publicity of the trout being released into the stream just 3 days earlier.  I heard a few “fish tales” about the guy upstream or was it downstream that had two 14 inchers.  I never did find him.  I point blanked asked a couple if they had even “seen a fish?” and got a shy “NOPE” from both.  My guess, most of the fish were in the Grand River by that point.

Opening day fishing in Soper Park

Lessons in fishing.

I did go upstream to where Mill Creek meanders through backyards between Mill Creek Road and Clyde Road.  It was interesting to see here how the shading over growth in many areas is from large trees and not just the thickets and brush along the side of the creek.

creek

Mill Creek between properties on Clyde Road and Mill Creek Road

I then went down stream to where the creek enters into the Grand River.

Where Mill Creek enters into the Grand River. Less than two miles from where trout were put in the creek.

I guess somebody that couldn’t catch a fish in Mill Creek decided to shop for their sea food this way.

Sea food shopping?

There are some beautiful sites in this city. Some like this duck can be found on any of our waterway, and aren’t limited by whether it’s Galt, Preston, or Hespeler.

One resident that doesn't care whether it is Galt, Preston, or Hespeler. Wonder how many votes he has?

Some areas along the river have that old fashioned European charm.

Are we spending the same money to beautify Preston and Hespeler as has been spent on Galt.

Then in researching this I found this article.  It seems that the city jumped at the chance of spending 356,000 dollars to put another access to the river in at the bottom of Dickson Street this summer.  I don’t recall there being any inquiries about this, like there are about the dam in Preston.

Is it about the dam and its historic place in the community and the benefits it offers to visitors at Riverside Park, or is it just another case of “it’s only Preston?”

For week 16 of project 52 I am again exhibiting a series of journalistic images.

ELEPHANT WALTZ 2012

This week I was invited to capture the moments and memories of the 2012 Elephant Waltz at the African Lion Safari.

It is my understanding that this is the 11th year for the Elephant Waltz.  For those that don’t know, the Elephant Waltz is a Gala Fund Raising event organized and put on by the Cambridge and District Humane Society as a means of raising the much needed funds that allow the Humane Society to carry out their duties to aid the animals in the community. The event is hosted at the African Lion Safari which is located south of Cambridge between highways 6 and 8.  The event is the largest fund raiser for the Humane Society.

As the guests arrive they are met by a few of the Safari staff and some of their very beautiful charges.  The knowledgeable trainers are very willing to answer all questions regarding the chitas.

Cheetahs and trainers welcomed the guests this year.

A local celebrity, Mark Paine, was the master of ceremony for this year’s event. I captured this image of Mark as he arrived and asked the trainers a series of interesting and insightful questions. Processing the image I couldn’t help but want to put a caption on it but couldn’t make up my mind of which best described his expression. You can be the judge.

Which caption do you like better?

First:  They said they wanted me to MC dinner for a bunch of animals, but….

Second:  I wish I could remember, did they say I was invited “for dinner” or “to be dinner?”

But seriously, the African Lion Safari were great hosts.

A warm welcome from the African Lion Safari

The only thing better than the table setting was the food!

Months of work and planning by these lovely ladies from the Humane Society paid off to make a fabulous evening.

Thanks ladies!

Everybody was so friendly and well behaved; well everybody except the party animals at one table.

How could this beautiful face be dangerous?

And when you got inside you were welcomed by hors d’oeuvres and a flare of colour.

Wearing their finest feathery

I don't know what kind of birds these are but they acted like "love birds." Embarrassing, they needed to get a room.

Other than all the hard work done by the volunteers there are two reasons the event is such a success:

The generosity of sponsors

The "Chinese Auction Table"

The "Silent Auction" table

And the second reason is the people that come and purchase the donations:

When it was time to get the festivities underway MC Mark Paine took charge of herding the animals to their respective tables. What an excellent MC he is. The audience never knew what to expect next, and as “off the cuff” as it seemed

Master of Ceremony: Mark Paine

it is all due to the organized hard work and planning of an outstanding professional.

Checking notes and preparing for the next moment. Organized and professional!

I had the pleasure of being seated at the same table as Mark. I reminded him the first year I did the “Furry Friends Foto Fun” as a fund raiser for the Humane Society, he interviewed me on Roger’s DayTime. I was more frightened of the questions he would ask next than of being on television.

It didn’t take Mark long to pinpoint the table of “party animals.”  You know there always is one. It doesn’t matter where you go, whether it be a dinner, a wedding, or an awards banquet, there is always that one table. The only common element is it is always led by “women!”

The "Party Animals!`

And fashionably late the guests of honour arrived just before dinner was to begin. All of the animals lined up at the edge of their cage to watch the arrival of the guests of honour and because they were the guest of honour they got to eat first.

Guests of Honour make their "grand" entrance

So hungry they couldn't even wait to peel the bananas

But the meal must have met with their approval because just look at that smile.

I was surprised when the elephant closest to me actually took an apple on the ground and using its trunk rolled the apple right to my feet. Unfortunately, by the time the trainer said “just roll it back” I had already put it back with the other food.  I felt so bad.  I am sure it must be something they do as part of their performance and I spoiled it.

After the guests of honour ate, we ate. Personally I thought our food was much more appetizing.

The "cold buffet" table

Bonnie Deekon, Executive Director at the Humane Society.

Bonnie checks out the bids at the silent auction table.  I don’t know if this woman even sat down at anytime during the evening. I saw her visit our table at least twice. Every time I saw her she was checking to make sure everything was going smoothly.   Everything did run smoothly. People bid.

and fun was had.

money was raised

and as the preliminary numbers came out over 30,000 dollars were raised to help the animals at the shelter.

Thanks to everyone who supported this very worthwhile cause.

And don't forget to come back and party with the animals next year.

On April 3rd, 2012 I attended the public information meeting in the boardroom of the Preston Auditorium to be informed of the options being considered with respect to the dam on the Speed River at the front of Riverside Park in the area of King Street.

There are basically two options being considered:

1. removal of the existing dam allowing the river to return to its original state and naturalize the area.  The cost of removal is estimated at approximately 1 million dollars
2. replace the existing dam will cost approximately 10 million dollars.

Is this work really necessary?

The necessity of doing this was my first question. Why would I question our politicians?  Do you remember the Concession Street bridge? The bridge that had been there, I believe, since the great flood (the one of Moses, not the one of 1974) was going to fall down any day. It was in terrible shape and had to be replaced immediately. They proceeded with demolition, setting explosives, and kaboom! The bridge didn’t move. They had to bring in more explosives to knock it down.

Personally, I think it was a con job by somebody that wanted a four lane bridge instead of the older two lane one. In order to justify it they made up a story and reports to condemn the health of the old bridge and construct the new one. I wonder if that was the case here. Does somebody have a reason to get rid of the dam so they are trying to condemn it. Apparently in 2008 the city applied 50,000 dollars worth of duct tape to prolong the life of the existing dam. Curious, I went to Riverside Park to have a look myself. The dam needs work.

Looking at the dam from Riverside Park you can see evidence of the "duct tape" where the rocks have been piled to reinforce the dam.

Looking up the Speed River from the King Street bridge you can see the rocks piled below the flood control gates on the south side of the dam.

A closer image of the rocks below the flood control gates on the south side of the dam.

The flood control gates on the north side of the dam show definite signs of deterioration,

This does raise the question “Is the entire dam in need of repair or only the flood gate controls?”

I don’t believe there are many users of Riverside Park that would disagree with the statement that it is a beautiful park. It is scenes like this that we will lose if the dam is removed and the mill pond disappears

Sunrise on the Speed River

You will no longer be able to sit here and look out on the peaceful mill pond. It will be gone.

This majestic pine will no longer reflect in the waters of the Speed River because they will have receded at least 10 feet from the current shore.

There will be little water left for reflections

The beauty of sunsets along the river will be lost forever without the dam.

OK, so we lose the beauty. What else might change? I was born and raised in Preston, and like many a local youth I learned to fish on the Speed River.

Fishing above the dam at Riverside Park.

Now, the people that were at the meeting were trying to put a positive spin on this by saying that the fishing would be better without the dam, as the fish would be free to move up and down stream which would result in a better variety of fish etc. I asked them where the fish were going to come from seeing as there is the Parkhill Dam in Galt, a dam in Paris, Brantford, and Caledonia.  That’s downstream. Go upstream and there are two dams in Hespeler, so where are all these great fish going to come from.

As I said I grew up in Preston, and as a boy our best fishing spots were further upstream.  If you are from the area you will remember Pattinson Dam at the top end of the park. Remnants of the dam can still be seen where the walkway bridge crosses the river at the back of the park.

Pattinson Dam was located here where the bridge now crosses the river.

Remnants of the dam can still be seen along the shore.

My favorite fishing spot was in the waters right below the dam. Having the dam here also meant better fishing water further upstream in Speedsville.  In the spring we would fish from the cement bridge abutments where Speedsville Road crossed the river. The removal of that dam dropped the water levels and today I never see anyone fishing these waters.

These waters were popular for fishing throughout the summer prior to the removal of Pattinson dam. Today in the heat of summer you will often find just a narrow stream flowing through here. This is what we will have in Riverside Park if they remove the dam at King Street. Is this what you want to look at or would you prefer this?

Speed River at sunset looking at the King Street bridge.

Looking upstream on the Speed River at Riverside Park.

 Surrounding Property Values Could Recede With The River

Many of the tenants and property owners along the river see value in the view. If the value of their property falls with the water level I would think the city could be held liable.

If the dam comes out what happens to the land resulting from the narrower river?

I asked this question of the team of advisers that were at the meeting on April 3rd. They would like to see it naturalized by planting natural vegetation. As I understand it, if they try and reclaim the land for the park they have to do environmental tests on the soil and deal with any pollutants that might be present.  Apparently if it was naturalized they don’t have to do that. (my understanding)

Regardless of what happens to the soil, I am totally opposed to ”naturalization.” If you want to see what happens when an area is naturalized I suggest you visit Soper Park in Galt on the east side of Dundas Street. Do you remember what the park used to be like with Mill Creek meandering through it? There was a little dam at the back of the park. In the summer you could find kids jumping in the water, hunting for tadpoles, and generally having a good time. There was grass right up to the edge of the water. Personally, I enjoyed photographing many weddings in the area.

Then somebody got the bright idea to remove the dam, re-route the creek, and naturalize the area.

What effect will naturalization have on the crime rate in the park?

This is something that someone needs to look into and the experience in Soper Park is a good place to begin looking. What was the crime rate in Soper Park in the 4 years prior to naturalization and the 4 years following the change?  Living in the area, my memory seems to recall hearing about a lot more crimes; particularly violent crimes, robbery, assault, sexual assault, and rape. It also has a very bad reputation for drugs now.  I recently took a couple of walks through Soper Park with my camera and here is what I found.

When they naturalized Mill Creek they added two ponds, one on either side of the creek.

These areas are collectors of garbage and much of the area is not accessible to clean it up.  Although these ponds are supposed to have some connection to the creek so the water is not stagnant, I think it was another example of “it looks good on paper.”  Walk by here in the summer and the stench of the still water is very evident.

One of the two smelly ponds in Soper Park. Almost always littered with garbage.

Garbage in the pond area. Too muddy to go and clean it out.

Ducks waddling through the muddy mess where water should be.

This is approximately where the dam used to be and kids played. Today you can't see the creek and in the summer the growth is so thick you can hardly hear the water washing over the rocks.

To see the creek you have to squeeze through the undergrowth.

The thick undergrowth catches garbage. Plastic bottles, wrappers, condoms are the obvious sightings.

More garbage

When the leaves come out the bush provides great cover and hiding spots. How much has the crime rate changed. Somebody should be looking into that!

What’s the real cost?

I am concerned that we are not being given the real numbers here and that somebody is trying to force a decision by presenting a one sided view.  We have heard that it will cost 10 million to rebuild the dam and only 1 million to take it out.

I would like answers to the following questions.

1. Where did the one million dollar number come from and what does it include?
2. Does the one million include renovations to the park and the naturalization project or is that over and above?
3. One of the great beauties of the Riverside Park is the creek and the pond located in the back half near the tennis courts. If the water level of the river is dropped are we going to lose this creek and pond?  I heard they would create a ”natural” diversion of water into the creek and pond.  Is that going to end up like the ponds in Soper Park that smell from stagnant water?  What is going to be the cost of the diversion?  Is that included in the one million dollars or is it another extra?
4. Can the ”flood control” systems on the existing dam be replaced or repaired if the rest of the dam is not in that bad of shape?
5. Where did the 10 million dollar price tag for a new dam come from?  How many estimates have been obtained.

This is the pond in the park. It is drained in the winters. This is what it will look like if the dam comes out and they don't build a diversion.

The stream feeding the pond is one of the prettiest parts of the park in the summer.

This is what we will see without the water diversion.

This is where the water enters the creek that feeds the pond. What is it going to cost to build a diversion here?

Another beautiful sight and access point to the river that will be lost if the dam comes out.

When I was creating the above 4 images I noticed an elderly gentleman walking through the park, taking in the fabulous weather we were having. He was sitting on a park bench enjoying the sunshine and the view as I created this image.  As I climbed back up from the bank he commented that it was a great day for taking photographs.  We chatted and I told him I was taking photographs to illustrate what we might lose if the dam at the front of the park came out.

It’s only a gravity dam!

He said yes it would be unfortunate to lose the mill pond and all its beauty. After all it has been there for over 120 years. The gentleman commented on what controversy it was going to create.  I piped in with my two cents worth saying it was the 10 million price tag on replacing the dam that was the problem.  He chuckled and said “I’d like to have that contract!”  He then told me he was now retired but spent over half his life building dams.  I then got a little lesson on dams.

The dam at the front of Riverside Park is a “gravity dam.”  It is not fastened to anything.  It is held in place by its own weight, and further constructed so that the weight of the water it is holding back also applies a downward pressure on the dam further enabling it to hold its place.  Rebuilding the dam should not be that expensive he said.  Simply come upstream 50 feet and build a new gravity dam and then blow the existing dam out.

Final thoughts and what I would like to see!

I have read in the paper that the ancient mariners would like to see the dam removed. The spokesperson that was interviewed for the article in the KW Record went on to say they would in fact like to see all the dams removed.  That way you could canoe right to Lake Erie.

I think this is a very narrow minded point of view. If canoeing on the speed river is so popular why are we not seeing canoes on it now?  Let’s be honest, removing the rest of the dams is likely not going to happen. Right now, I understand there are efforts underway to raise money to do repairs to the Parkhill Dam in Galt. That dam will never come out now with a multi-million dollar 5 - star restaurant sitting right next to it.

If it was the Parkhill Dam we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.

If the Parkhill Dam was removed where would they hold Riverfest and where would the Cambridge Rowing Club practise.  The comments from the ancient mariners was very self serving and focused on an extremely small percentage of the population.

I believe the mill pond on the Speed River is an asset to all of Cambridge. The cost of a new dam (if that is in fact what is really needed) is very small when you consider the life expectancy of the dam exceeds 100 years.

If a new dam is what is needed, I like the idea of moving it upstream 50 feet. Doing so could show many benefits:

On the Riverside Park side of the river is a separate mill run that used to feed power to the flour mill many years ago.

Mill Run

Connect this area to the main portion of the river below the dam and along the park side of the river where this currently is located build a fish stairway.  This would look after any concern of fish moving upstream.

Moving the dam upstream the 50 feet would contain it well with in the boundaries of the park.  It would be easy to build a portage area for canoeists within the park, eliminating any need to carry canoes any distance or cross any roadways.

More needs to be done to promote the usage of this wonderful city asset. Just a few suggestions would include canoe and paddle boat rentals, fishing derbys, a Preston rowing club. We could soon see this on the mill pond in Preston

But steps need to be taken now to save this beautiful asset

 J.

I delivered a set of portraits the other evening. One of the images was a portrait of the client’s grandchildren. The grandson has a great big smile on his face and his hands have been thrust into his pockets.

I had told him to put his hands in his pockets and then had to help him get them in there. What I didn’t know was this was the first time he had found the pockets in his pants. Although the portraits were commissioned to celebrate and remember the client’s wedding anniversary and remember this time in their lives, every-time she looks at this portrait she remembers it was the day her grandson discovered pant’s pockets.

Which comes first: the chicken or the egg? The portraits are commissioned to remember a special time in their lives and the session becomes another special time.

I love what I do!

J.

Yesterday (Saturday April 7th) the Business Improvement Association of the Towne of Preston held their 3rd annual Easter Egg Hunt in Central Park. This event seems to get bigger and better each year.  This year the turn out was so great the organizers had to send the Easter Bunny back down his hole to find more chocolate.

The event was enhanced by the decorating addition of bails of straw in the park, which provided more hiding places for the Eggs. There were so many large eggs in the park that several Robins were seen with confused looks on their faces.

A well decorated park

A huge crowd lined up waiting for the hunt to begin.

Bunny Hugs

This guy ranks right up there with Santa Claus in popularity

Look out! Here they come!

A Kodak Moment

Bails of straw are useful for more things than just hiding eggs.

An Easter Parade

An Easter Miracle: turning plastic eggs into chocolate.

Kudos to the Preston Towne Center BIA for another well run community event.

J.