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Pomona Mills Park Conservationists: |
The Pomona Mills Park Conservationists Inc. was founded in 1999, by Valerie Burke and Dr. Ann Fowle, in order to help restore and rehabilitate the East Don River within Pomona Mills Park. This group of local Thornhill volunteers adopted the park and have organized ten community spring plantings, every year along the river, as well as three "Pitch-In Canada" litter clean ups. Over 1,000 native shrubs and trees have been planted including approximately 16 large trees. Volunteers of all ages from the community include: local elementary and high schools, the Thornhill Horticultural Society, the Lion's Club, the Society for the Preservation of Historic Thornhill, as well as local Brownies, Guides and Scouts. Mowing has been reduced to help naturalize and stabilize the riverbanks and increase wildlife habitat. The community enjoys a serene, natural walking path in the middle of Thornhill's urban sprawl.
The Pomona Mills Park Conservationists work in partnership with the Town of Markham, the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, and the community. Newly planted areas are maintained by the Pomona Mills Park Conservationists so that invasive species such as Manitoba Maples do not overcrowd the native species.
In 2000 the Pomona Mills Park Conservationists helped the Town of Markham in their decision to install a 5' wide crushed limestone path to link up to existing paths as a millennium project.
The Pomona Mills Park Conservationists work in partnership with the Town of Markham, the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, and the community.
In 2001 the Pomona Mills Park Conservationists were instrumental in saving a two-acre parcel of land known as Pomona Mills Meadow (now Thornhill Meadow) by St. Vlad's Church. This tableland was purchased by the Town of Markham and added to Pomona Mills Park. A bridge was put over the river, and a path has been installed creating a "western link" to the park.
In May 2002 the Pomona Mills Park Conservationists hosted the Third Annual Thornhill Community Environment Day. Over 150 people attended to plant shrubs and trees, enjoy the food, environmental and community booths and ceremonies.
A very successful 6th Annual Tree Planting was held in May 2005. Two clean-ups were organized in April, and a total of 100 bags of litter were collected. The Town of Markham awarded the Pomona Mills Park Conservationists the coveted "Silver Trash Can Lid Award" for the most litter picked up amongst the 48 groups participating in the Town of Markham's Pitch-In program. The first clean-up was located in the east end of Pomona Mills Park, and the second was in an "orphan area" along the East Don River at Proctor and Bayview Avenue. Special thanks to the ambitious young volunteers from Thornhill Secondary School!
Since its inception, The Pomona Mills Park Conservationists have arranged for 16 large native trees to be planted by the Town of Markham in the park, and 11 boulevard trees planted on John Street. A memorial tree grove consisting of 6 large native trees was planted in 2004 on the west side of the park in memory of the late Dr. Ann Fowle (Co-Founder). Many thanks to the members of the Thornhill Horticultural Society, as well as local residents, who generously funded the purchase of these trees for a living memorial to the much loved Dr. Ann Fowle, Co-Founder of the Pomona Mills Park Conservationists.