Humber River

Mid-Humber Gap coming before City Council

Fixing the Mid-Humber Gap will be considered by City Council on July 19 or 20.

The Humber River Trail runs almost uninterrupted from the lake up to Brampton, and—with one exception—the on-road portions are on quiet streets. The exception is here in Weston, where trail users are forced onto Weston Road and to squeeze under the bridge at St Phillips. The city says it “constitutes a significant barrier”.

This is necessary because of the Mid-Humber Gap—an 800m missing link that would join the two parts of the trail.

Earlier this year, city staff recommended fixing the gap with a path along the valley bottom with two bridges and a cantilevered boardwalk. The path is opposed by the Weston Golf and Country Club.

Humber Gap meeting

The city will be hosting a meeting ~~this~~ next week to discuss the Mid-Humber Gap—the infernal 8oom missing link in the recreational path which, if completed, would join dozens of kilometers of trails north and south of us, instead of forcing users up and out of the river valley onto Weston Road.

Months ago, city staff floated three possible designs, two of which would have required users to leave the valley. But—blowing away my expectations—they say the preferred option is the one along the valley bottom. It’s a complicated design, with two bridges back and forth over the river, and an elevated boardwalk.

The city has posted plans, and will be soliciting your feedback after the meeting, which will be Tuesday, May 17 at 6:30.

Hazel Remembered

Madeleine McDowell remembers Hurricane Hazel by the old bridge abutment in Lions Park.

A forlorn bridge abutment wrenched out of place by Hurricane Hazel on the night of October 16, 1954 is the closest thing to a memorial to the three dozen or so people who died that night as the Humber River overwhelmed the little community that lived along Raymore Drive. Local historian Madeleine McDowell, talked today about the storm which carried away the homes of many people in what is now Raymore Park. Madeleine was 14 years old at the time and had personal memories of the event which she shared today. The storm led to the creation of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. The Humber’s longest tributary measures only 100km but the vertical drop from source to mouth is several times the height of Niagara Falls. This was one of the reasons billions of litres of water were funnelled down the river that night. It’s also the reason the watershed is prone to flooding during not so dramatic events as Hazel.

Madeleine’s talk was organized by Sharon Glaves as part of the InTO The Ravines initiative.

The abutment as it looks today in its beautiful location by the Humber. All traces of the original treatment are gone.

The abutment as it looked during the official opening in 2004. Ward 5 Councillor Frances Nunziata is standing with Former MP Alan Tonks and former Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino.(file)

The bridge abutment was once beautifully decorated by artist Mario Noviello but sadly the image faded over the years. 3 Tempests Playwright Peter Smith was in attendance and stated that the neglect of what is in effect the only memorial to the Raymore Drive victims is a disgrace. He would like to see something put in place as a permanent reminder to the people who lost their lives there. He suggested that local artists could combine their talents and design a memorial for the spectacular location. The 70th anniversary of the tragedy is coming in 2024 and now is the time to start work on the project.

The original work by Mario Noviello (file). Only the plaque remains.

Ms. McDowell wasn’t finished however. The indomitable advocate of nature had one last thing to say. She strongly opposes the proposed highway that will run across the delicate Humber watershed’s upper reaches and urged people to oppose plans for the Bradford Bypass (aka Highway 413) which will link Highways 400 and 404, slicing through the Oak Ridges Moraine and dozens of waterways.

Incidentally, Ms. McDowell is made of sterner stuff and seemed comfortable wearing sandals and no gloves. I was wrapped up with toque, winter coat and gloves and froze in the 5° temperatures.