April 2019 – Long Branch Neighbourhood Association

Jane’s Walk 2019

Jane’s Walks are citizen-led walking discussions that encourage people to build stronger neighbourhoods through conversation. Named for Jane Jacobs, an urban activist who was extremely vocal in protecting the needs of city-dwellers, Jane’s Walks provide a closer look into communities from the vantage point of the people who live there.

This year, the walk will actually be a ride led by David Juliusson from the Etobicoke South Cycling Committee and Long Branch Neighbourhood Association. David will be in a blue bike jacket.

In 2018, City Council adopted special guidelines to preserve the unique character of Long Branch. We will look at some of the historic sites and events. Long Branch has a rich heritage, ranging from Colonel Sam Smith building his home in 1797 to Hurricane Hazel to the first Heritage tree being declared. We will stop at those sites. In addition, the ride will go through Marie Curtis Park, pass historic cottages, and go to the border of Mississauga. We will pass murals, visit a cenotaph and enjoy the beauty that is Long Branch.

NOTE: This is a cycling tour.

Ride begins and ends at Colonel Samuel Smith Skating Trail on May 5 at 11 AM (65 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr, Etobicoke).

Here is the itinerary.

Colonel Sam Smith Park.
Long Branch Park. The site of the old Long Branch Hotel, with historic cottages nearby.
Marie Curtis Park at the cannon. Hurricane Hazel
Mississauga border.
Across from TTC station to look at the murals painted at the Long Branch loop.
Sid Cole Park
The Long Branch Cenotaph.
Return to Colonel Samuel Smith Skating Trail

It’s all free. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.

24 April 2019/by Ronald Jamieson

Community Safety, Programs, Useful Information

Preventing Basement Flooding

Long Branch is no stranger to flooding. Part of our history is the catastrophic flooding that came from Hurricane Hazel in 1954. Seven residents of Long Branch lost their lives and many more homes were destroyed or washed into Lake Ontario.

With more modern storm sewer systems and flood control, it is much less likely that we will see residents lives at risk from storms and flooding. More likely is that flooding will rear its head in our basements, where it can be an expensive nuisance.

Many residents of Long Branch are aware of the network of underground streams in our neighbourhood and we have frequently warned developers about the potential impact on residents by taking down trees and reducing soft landscaping that soaks up storm runoff.

A recent article in the Globe and Mail suggests that the cost of a flooded basement can be as much as $43,000, and this may not be completely covered by household insurance. in some cases, insurance companies are refusing to offer flood damage coverage on household insurance policies.

What can you do?

Fortunately, preventing basement flooding is not outrageously expensive and can cost less than $250 as the Globe article suggests.

Clearing out eavestroughs helps ensure your downspouts will be able to direct runoff from your roof away from your foundation. In some cases, you can do this yourself with a ladder, a trowel and a bucket.

Installing a backflow preventer will cost more that $250 but insurance companies will often give you a reduced rate for flood damage that will help you recover the cost over time. Also the City has a program of giving rebates to homeowners who install them.

A backflow preventer is a valve installed in your sewer line that only allows flow in one direction – to the main sewer line. It is intended to help prevent sewer backups which are far more messy to deal with than water coming in through basement walls and windows.

Waterproofing your foundation usually involves excavation around the foundation, replacing damaged weeping tiles and installing a waterproof membrane around the foundation to prevent groundwater from getting through your foundation and directing runoff to the weeping tiles that direct runoff away from your foundation.

It’s not cheap to do this, but it is better than seeing furniture or other valuables get damaged by flooding.

Installing a sump pump in your basement is a way of collecting groundwater and pumping it away from your house. New homes are required to have a sump pump installed.

We hope we’ve given you some tips you can use. Please let us know how else we can help you.

19 April 2019/by Ronald Jamieson

Events

The 2019 Long Branch Garden Tour is Coming Up.

Attention all gardening enthusiasts! Saturday June 22 is the date for the 2019 Long Branch Garden Tour. Mark your calendars.

This year marks the 135th birthday of this beautiful community, and the 2019 garden tour promises to be better than ever.

If you would like to have YOUR garden included as part of the tour, it’s not too late to register. We have to close registration soon to allow us time to design and print the brochure and map showing the participating gardens, so register yours by contacting us.

Then on June 22nd, come visit Long Branch between 10 am and 4 pm and enjoy over 3 dozen beautiful gardens. Best of all – it’s free!

To learn more, visit our website longbranchgardentour.ca

11 April 2019/by Ronald Jamieson

Events

Tree For Me

On-line Registration for your Free Trees is Now Open!

The LBNA is pleased to bring you Tree for Me this spring. On-line registration is now open by clicking on this link www.lbna/tree

Native Tree species, suitable for all yards, will be distributed by the LBNA on May 25th from 10 – 1:45pm in Samuel Smith Park during this year’s Spring Bird Festival.

If you have the space, we would encourage you to opt for the trees that will will grow into beautiful Large Canopy Tree species. Choose from the following:

Large Canopy Trees	Red Maple Bur Oak
Medium Size Trees	White Birch Northern Hackberry
Small Trees / Shrubs	Serviceberry White Cedar Red Osier Dogwood (NEW) Black Chokeberry (NEW)

We all have a role to play in making Toronto greener.
Let’s get planting Long Branch!

Pre-registration is required.

Each private property in Toronto with suitable plantable space is eligible for two trees – even if you received some already last year from the Tree for Me program.

If you prefer to register for your trees in person, we will be hosting a Tree for Me registration at the Long Branch Library on Saturday, May 4th from 10am – 1:00pm. Stay tuned for more information soon.

The LBNA is able to bring you the Tree for Me program thanks to a Grant from the Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation. Tree For Me grants support the City of Toronto’s 40 percent tree canopy cover target by encouraging tree planting and tree care on private property.

We all have a role to play in making Toronto greener.
Let’s get planting Long Branch!

Click here to register now for a Free Tree