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October 2013 Update

Dear Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour,
Apologies that this October update is a bit late. We have been having a break out on our bikes a lot enjoying the great weather of August and September. Lovely – except for me crashing on the dreaded Empey Road on the way back to Wilton from the Cataraqui Trail last week. No worries. Only a few cuts and bruises.
And now it’s back to work.

THE TRAIL

Help is sought to help landscape the first section of trail just north of the Rowing Club – late November.
The City’s Parks Department is getting ready to incorporate a planting bed into the Inner Harbour Trail design.
There is space to incorporate approximately 9-12 large deciduous shrubs and 17-24 medium deciduous shrubs.
Should be fun – with goodies provided and maybe a beer at the Legion afterwards!
If interested, contact me at inverarymary@yahoo.com or Don Campbell at doncampbell1941@gmail.com

IMPORTANT UPCOMING MEETINGS
If you forget, visit the calendar at friendsofinnerharbour.com/calendar/

1) PUBLIC MEETING re CONCEPT PLAN FOR DOUGLAS R. FLUHRER PARK!
Wed., Oct 30, 7 pm. Memorial Hall. All Welcome.
The consultants from Thinc Design have put together an impressive concept for the park – “articulated wild”.
It was revealed at the small stakeholders meeting last week and we were all impressed.
Do come and give your input as to what you like and what changes to the concept you would like to see.

2) SHORELINE SHUFFLE FOLLOW-UP MEETING WITH DISCUSSION OF THE CITY’S NEW INTEGRATED WATERFRONT INITIATIVE!
Wed., Oct 9, 7 pm, Marine Museum of the Great Lakes, Ontario St. All welcome.
On Tuesday’, Oct. 1, Council meeting, Council moved forward on the establishment of an Integrated Waterfront Plan – for over 200 kms of waterfront!
A committee will be formed that will include 6 Community Appointees. Congratulations to David McDonald and everyone who was a part of the Shoreline Shuffle.
Also Su Sheedy is curating an interactive photography exhibit at the Pump House Museum scheduled for April, 2014 to highlight the event of last June.

3) PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION FOR RIVERVIEW PARK (opposite Rideaucrest on Rideau St.)
Wed., Oct 16, 6:30 pm. Rideaucrest Home, 175 Rideau St., Conference Rm B. All welcome.
Neal Unsworth, Manager of Parks is looking for input from people who care about this park to improve the play area, play equipment, play surface, adjacent pathway and benches. All welcome. Construction on the upgrades is scheduled for 2014.

4) PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION FOR FRIENDSHIP PARK (21 Carlisle St.)
Thurs., Oct 17, 6:30 pm. Rideaucrest Home, 175 Rideau St., Conference Rm B. All Welcome.
Again, public input is desired for proposed improvements to Friendship Park. Construction is also scheduled for 2014.

5) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: FRIENDS OF KINGSTON INNER HARBOUR!
Thurs., Nov 7, Councillor’s Lounge, 3rd Floor, City Hall, Ontario St. 6:30 pm.
This year, we will be looking to extend our community outreach and solidify our organization now that many of the trail, park and development projects in the Inner Harbour that have taken up so much time and energy are underway. Please come. We value your participation. Ideas for future directions welcome. Casual drinks following the meeting at the Pilot House or the Brew Pub – to be decided.

BELLE PARK UPDATE
City Council rejected a Request for Proposals report submitted by city staff that would have allowed the possibility of a private company or not-for-profit to bid on managing the golf course. As a result, the golf course will remain for the time being. Discussions are occurring as to how to improve conditions through better management. The Friends of Belle Park are interested in having input.
Andrea Blackwell, famed Kingston Olympic basketball player,champion golfer and golfing coach at Loyalist Collegiate and Vocational Institute, has stepped forward with a plan to involve Kingston high school golfers in using Belle Park for practice, recreation, and for tournaments this fall and next spring. On Tuesday, Oct 1 she organized a shotgun best ball scramble for recreational and competitive golfers in Kingston High Schools and on Friday, Oct 4, further golfing fun for grade 9 – 12 Phys. Ed students. Go Andrea!

PETITION
FYI – An important petition is currently being circulated that will impact life for residents of Kingston and the Inner Harbour (See attachment). It is a petition against the closure of Kingston Collegiate and Vocational Institute, a heritage building and a thriving downtown school. This is not an electronic petition. It must be signed and a hard copy sent to Christine Sypnowich, 249 Main St., Barriefield Village, Kingston K7K 5S5, or dropped off for Arthur Cockfield at the Queen’s Law School, Rm 526 Macdonald Hall, Queen’s University. DEADLINE OCTOBER 11.

UPCOMING BOOK LAUNCH

Maude Barlow will launch her new book Blue Future: Protecting Water for People and the Planet Forever
Wed. Oct. 16, Wallace Hall, John Deutsch University Centre, 87 Union St. Queen’s University, 7 pm. All welcome.
The final book in Maude Barlow’s Blue trilogy, Blue Future is a powerful, penetrating, and timely look at the global water crisis and what we can do to prevent it.
Barlow offers solutions based on four simple principles:
a) Water Is a Human Right
b) Water Is a Common Heritage and Public Trust
c) Water Has Rights Too
d) Water Will Teach Us How to Live Together

KINGSTON MAKER SPACE IN THE WOOLEN MILL AS OF NOVEMBER 1.
Maker Space is a gathering place for tools, projects, mentors and expertise – where people interested in arts and technology can come to collaborate, share tools and learn new skills. Members are typically do-it-yourselfer’s who want to make things and learn from others – and in the process get and keep children interested in Science & Technology. Kingston Maker Space is a registered non-profit organization with an endowment fund at the Community Foundation for Kingston and Area.
For the last year, they have been hosting free events called ‘Hack Labs’ to engage Kingstonians of all ages and all skill levels. At one of their events, a Queen’s Engineering professor teamed up with a group of 8 to 10 year olds. He definitely worked some magic as those kids brought more of their friends to the next event, and their parents are now requesting Hack Labs Summer Camps. The company, jNetrix, is supporting Maker Space by renting a space for them at the Woolen Mill.
Here is their wish list:

  1. Spread the word, forward this email to anyone else you think might be interested in participating / helping.
  2. Join our group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KingstonMakerSpaceInitiative.
  3. Join our Board or a Committee – many hands make the effort easier.
  4. Personal Membership – let me know if you’d like details.
  5. Corporate Membership – Help us pay the rent. I can send details if interested.
  6. Sponsor a Member – help a struggling family / person with their membership fees.
  7. Donate tools, supplies and tables – we’re starting with an empty 800 sq ft room, anything would be appreciated.
  8. Teach a class – we’ll be holding weekly workshops, instructors share a portion of the class fee.
  9. Make a charitable donation to the Kingston Youth Science and Technology Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation for Kingston and Area.
  10. Anything else you can think of – We are open to ideas / suggestions.

SEPTEMBER INNER HARBOUR SUCCESSES

DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
With the pounding of the drums, the paddles crashed into the water, and mighty dragons roared to life and surged forward down the river. It was the 14th annual Kingston Dragon Boat Festival with 14 teams from around Eastern Ontario racing for the fastest team title and for the team who raised the most money for Breast Cancer Action Kingston. Opening ceremonies kicked off the event on Friday in Confederation Park with the dotting of eyes of the dragons for good luck! Morgan Elliott, event organizer announced the races.
A special carnation ceremony celebrated those who have been touched by breast cancer. Two teams participated in the breast cancer survivor race and after the survivor race, they joined together and with carnations raised by paddlers and friends, family and supporters on the shoreline, all remembered as the song “Remember me” was played. Then carnations were tossed into the water in memory of a loved one. The song written by local Kingston Chestmate “Take it Away” was also played. As the team members came off the boats, they were encouraged with “paddles up” and cheers.
The Festival Champion was the local club team from the Limestone City Dragon Boat Club. Thanks goes to all who raced, participated and supported this awesome event and cause. www.cfka.org)

CLIMB FOR THE CURE
The Boiler Room Climbing Gym held it’s 3rd Annual Climb for the Cure event on September 21st, to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. Despite the rainy weather, the event raised just over $23,025! Participants raised pledges to climb the inside of the 100 foot high chimney, and rappel down the outside. There was also a pancake breakfast, BBQ lunch, live music, bake and craft sales, face painting, silent auction and more. The folks at the Boiler Room would like to say thank you to everyone who helped to make this event such a success. 100% of the proceeds raised were donated to the Frontenac-Lennox & Addington Community Office of the Canadian Cancer Society.

Once again, thanks to all of you for your support. Time now to keep eyes open for migrating birds.
Do send pics to include in the gallery of our webpage – www.friendsofinnerharbour.com.
Cheers,
Mary Farrar,
President,
Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour