The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is about to start on major shoreline maintenance work in Colonel Samuel Smith Park, which will take three or more years to complete. The TRCA has currently proposed a construction access route that cuts right through the park, fencing in and closing popular paths, blocking the Waterfront Trail, and restricting public access to much of the eastern side of the park. The proposed route also poses a significant threat to many trees, some more than a century old, and it will be disruptive to the abundant wildlife that visits or resides in the park, including the sensitive pond area.

This proposed route is detailed at the TRCA's project webpage.

We the undersigned object to the TRCA's currently proposed construction access route for the upcoming shoreline maintenance in Colonel Samuel Smith Park.

Since there are other route options that are more direct and less disruptive to the park, its wildlife, and its users, we believe that there's no compelling reason for park and Waterfront Trail users to endure the three plus years of park restrictions that would result from the proposed route.

We call upon the TRCA and the City of Toronto to do the following:

1. To acknowledge the many ways in which the currently-proposed construction access route is harmful to the park and disruptive to park and trail users, and to commit to reconsider all route options.
2. To revisit objections to truck traffic on Colonel Samuel Smith Drive, to acknowledge that this road currently carries truck and bus traffic without noted problems, and to explore ways in which the required shoreline construction truck traffic could also be accommodated on this road while also addressing any concerns about safety.
3. To hold a public hearing at which the construction access route options can be reviewed, objections and concerns can be discussed, and the best possible solution determined.

Because the TRCA wants to start the maintenance work this fall, it is urgent that the access route is reviewed ASAP so that this poor choice doesn't commit the park and park users to three or more years of park restriction and disruption. 

Thank you for reading; we hope you'll add your name, and please send this to your friends and neighbours, to help us get this done.