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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 six 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.
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. The Pomona Mills Park Conservationists
have agreed to maintain the wildflower meadow created
by the TRCA.
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.
There was a poster contest in which several local elementary
schools participated, and elected representatives from
all levels of government attended.
At
the May 2003 planting event a sign was erected to make
the community aware of the importance of the plantings
and who is involved so that more people would be encouraged
to participate in the future. This sign will be placed
at future plantings.
In
May 2004, the Pomona Mills Park Conservationists hosted
their 5th Annual Spring Planting event as well as a community
litter cleanup. A total of approximately 140 volunteers
came out to pick up 47 large bags of litter and plant
200 trees and shrubs. These events were dedicated to the
memory of Dr. Ann Fowle, former Vice President and Co-Founder,
who passed away in February 2004.
In
the spring of 2005 the group organized another very successful
riparian planting. Two clean ups were held in conjunction
with Pitch-In Canada. One Clean Up was located in the
park and another at Bayview and Proctor along the East
Don River. In total, 100 bags of litter were collected,
and the Pomona Mills Park Conservationists won the coveted
"Silver Trash Can Lid" Award from Markham Council.
In
April 2006, the Pomona Mills Park Conservationists collected
15 bags of litter along the banks of the East Don River
in the western section of the park. Considerable debris
had washed down during the August 19, 2005 flooding. In
late April a community clean up resulted in another 68
bags of litter collected. There were 83 bags in total
for 2006.
A
meadow planting was the focus in May 2006, and the community
planted over 100 native meadow perennials. The meadow
is very special because it is the only tableland within
the park. Thanks to the "Markham Environmental Sustainability
Fund" for their generous support! The finishing touches
on the meadow include two bird boxes and two bat boxes.
Swallows used one of the bird boxes in the spring. Please
see the gallery for photos.
Thank
you so much to the Pomona Mills Park Conservationists
executive and to the people in the community who have
come out to help pick up litter and plant native trees,
shrubs and wildflowers!
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