Comment from Bob Lansdale regarding proposal to remove sand beach between Etobicoke Creek and Applewood Creek

In earlier blog posts – which have been viewed and commented upon by many site visitors – I’ve shared photos from Robert Lansdale from the 1920s to the 1940s when a cottage community existed at the mouth of Etobicoke Creek.

I very much appreciate the fact that the Durance family has shared their historic family photos with me, and that I have the opportunity to share them with visitors to my website. The photos are evocative and enjoyable to view.

Durance family by Etobicoke Creek. Photo credit: Durance family © Durance family and Robert Lansdale

What is now Marie Curtis Park, as it appeared in 1947 (detail). Photo credit: Durance family © Durance family and Robert Lansdale

In a recent blog post I’ve shared information about the proposal to remove the sand beach between Etobicoke Creek and Applewood Creek on the Long Branch side of Marie Curtis Park.

I’ve also shared comments from David Switzer regarding the beach proposal.

Below are comments about the proposal from Bob Lansdale who also recently shared a photo of a 1917 photo of the “Y” Squadron at the First World War flying school at the Long Branch Aerodrome.

Bob Lansdale writes:

On 13-04-10 10:10 AM, Jaan Pill wrote:

– related to the beach between Etobicoke Creek and Applewood Creek at Marie Curtis Park.

I can’t see in the plans where they would “cobble” the beaches. It seems unnecessary from a history point of view. In my youth the best sand beaches were in the Rifle Ranges area with less sand (but good beaches) over to the Etobicoke Creek.

Adding the stone islands may be to protect the beaches from erosion but doing the same for the beaches would be insane and take away a feature that the public has enjoyed for decades.

The combination of these plans makes me wonder if there is something else in the works which we aren’t being told of. Such as raising the level of the lake to assist the St. Lawrence Seaway project. Raising the level was responsible for the destruction of all the housing along Lake Promenade in the “flats area”. The raised water level and the fall storms brought utter destruction as beaches were eroded away and then the houses destroyed.

Protective islands – maybe, the cobbled beaches – no!

Bob Lansdale

Contact information if you wish to share your comments

If you’d like to share comments with the Mississauga Waterfront Connection Environmental Assessment project team, please contact:

Michael Charendoff, 
Coordinator,
Watershed Projects,
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
mcharendoff@trca.on.ca
416 661-6600 ext 5280

If you’d like to share your comments with me, please copy me at jpill [at] preservedstories.com

Earlier comments from Jaan Pill

[Following email message sent to Michael Charendoff, Coordinator, Watersheds Projects, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, has been shared with a number of people.]

Hello Michael

Good to read your message.  I’ve copied this message to people connected with Long Branch who may have an interest in the topic.

Some people I’ve met, on the street or at a local supermarket, have asked me about the plans regarding the beach between Etobicoke Creek and Applewood Creek in Marie Curtis Park.

I’ve suggested they may wish to speak with you if they have questions or thoughts they may wish to share.

My thoughts

1. My own thoughts have to do with the memory of the mouth of Etobicoke Creek:

http://preservedstories.com/2011/11/12/355

But that was then and this is now.

2. I would be interested if there is evidence that you are aware of to back up or refute a comment shared by a Long Branch resident that the beach in question may be the last remaining “natural beach” in the Toronto area.

By natural I assume the reference may be to the fact that the sand still functions in the way that sand functions in a natural beach.

3. With regard to my own thoughts about the current beach proposal, I would say that it’s wonderful to have a natural beach.

I would also say that, as I’ve mentioned, I’m impressed with the communications associated with the Mississauga Waterfront Connection process. That inspires in me a sense of confidence. I have faith in the quality of the deliberations, and in the process by which community input is taken into account, at all stages that I have observed in the course of the planning process.

If in the end a pebble beach makes the most sense, in the current circumstances and in the larger scheme of things, then perhaps that is the way to go. However, that’s my personal view, based on a limited understanding of the facts and options, and others may have other views.

4. It’s my hope that the concerns and views of Long Branch residents will be taken into account, whatever those concerns and views may be.

Best,

Jaan Pill