Pesticides Banned in Ontario, Are Parks Safer?

Ontario’s parks became a lot healthier on Earth Day, April 22, 2009. That’s the date when the provincial ban of the cosmetic use of pesticides throughout Ontario came into effect. After listening to medical experts — like the Canadian Cancer Society — the ban was instituted to reduce exposure to pesticides, particularly by children who, because of their small size, are more susceptible to the toxic effects of pesticides.

I wonder what overriding concern demanded the application of an unnamed pesticide here in Springbank Park in London, Ontario. The small ducks swimming about the pond may, by the government's logic, be affected. I called the posted number but got an answering machine. I'm going to guess something has been used for fighting the West Nile Virus by going after mosquito larvae in the pond water. It would be nice if that information was given on the warning sign. The sign left a lot of strollers, especially those with young children, worried.

Healthy Living

I cannot recall anyone over sixteen running anywhere when I was young. It just wasn't done. I rode a bike until I was sixteen and I can assure you that that wasn't cool. Sunday it was hot and humid, more than 30 degrees with 94% humidity. Despite the muggy weather, London parks were filled with strollers, both the two legged kind and the ones on four wheels. These two jogging moms, one with pony tail bobbing from the fast pace, were staying in shape and giving their young children a powerful lesson in healthy living. (They also gave an aging photographer a workout. These two ladies were making good time as they pushed those strollers through Springbank Park.)

Pedal Pushers

The slope may be gentle but it's lengthy. Having pedalled some distance through London's large Springbank Park, and having struggled up some far steeper hills, this little girl is getting a little tuckered and appreciates a little helping hand from dad.

Better late than never . . .

About four years after her wedding, this Londoner put on her wedding dress Friday afternoon and headed for the park favoured by so many young brides - Springbank Park. With rain clouds quickly thickening and little drops of rain beginning to fall, her photographer worked quickly, taking advantage of the soft prestorm light. The photographer had the shoot wrapped up in mere minutes.

In The Pink

There are days I worry my aging camera batteries will fail before I am done shooting. I was already on my backup battery when I saw the little pet rabbit, wrapped in a pink blanket, being carried in Springbank Park; I knew I had to have this shot. It made me smile and I hope it makes you smile, too.

Worth Rising With the Sun

Photo tip: patience and planning make for better photography.
I've admired this twisted tree many times, but with my little point and shoot camera there was no way to do it justice - everything would be too sharp. It needed a little fog to make it pop. Sunday morning, rising early, glancing out our front door sidelights, I saw fog, thick fog. I immediately thought of this tree. I grabbed my Canon SD10 and headed for Springbank Park. In the fog, I couldn't find the tree but a couple of helpful joggers pointed me in the right direction. The result made it all worthwhile. Cheers, Rockin' On.

Thames Down But Not Out

Half a dozen kayak enthusiasts were sighted Saturday paddling on the Thames River despite the very low water level resulting from the failure of a gate at Springbank Dam. All the kayakers headed downriver through the open dam and disappeared heading in the direction of Kilworth. There may be adequate water for kayaks but larger canoes are another matter. Without the dam to raise the water level, the London Canoe Club will be unable to use the river again this summer.

Thames River Run

It's possible to jog from Byron in the southwest of London, Ontario, past the University of Western Ontario in the northern reaches of the city without ever being too far from the Thames River. This section of the trail, just upriver from Springbank Dam, is particularly scenic.

Merry Move London

A few year ago these carousel horses galloped off into the sunset. I believe the company that owned and operated them in Springbank Park went bankrupt. The city sat quietly by while the carousel was dismantled and removed for auction to the highest bidder. A lot of people were upset. They should not have worried. The City of London was the highest bidder and brought the horses home. The whole thing was a bit (forgive me) of a merry-go-round.

With hits to this site beginning to increase, in the coming days I will be adding the occasional photo tip. Cheers, Rockinon.

Not the Stairway to Heaven

Carving a curved path from above Storybook Gardens to Commissioners Road, in all the years I have visited the area, I have only noticed two people making the climb to the top.

Sunday is another warm, spring day in London with the high expected to reach 12 degrees under a partially cloudy sky.

A Water Colour Day

The end of the work week and it rained all day. Saturday promises more of the same with a dash of snow thrown into the mix. Oh well . . .
Cheers!

Swans at Springbank Park in London

Taken with a miniature Canon SD10, this snap of swans at Springbark Park still works - just don't enlarge it too much. The cool weather, it may have hit only eight degrees Sunday, kept a lot of the Springbank Park strollers at home.

Photo by Ken Wightman