Toronto's High Park

Toronto's High Park

Within a city, trees are important not only for their aesthetic value, but also for their role in maintaining a healthy environment and atmosphere.

Among other things, they are vital to the absorption of carbon dioxide; the reduction of heat accumulated from buildings, pavement, roads, and vehicles; and the control of stormwater runoff.

Trees within a city on private and public lands are collectively referred to as the “urban forest”.

Toronto’s urban forest has a mixture of native and non-native tree species, with thousands of different cultivated varieties. Trees of different species and ages growing throughout the city, on streets, in parks, and on private property, reflect the trends and fashions in planting at different periods of the city’s history.

All the pictures have been taken by Elena.

Spring in High Park. Its well drained acid sand supports prairies and savannah vegetation, characteristic of 4,000 years ago, when the area was warmer and drier.

The plant communities offer the opportunity to view many rare species of plants and wildflowers including Black Oak, Wild Lupine, Cup-plant and Sweet Flag.

Orange, yellow and brown flower (sunflower), close up.

Multicolored flower bush.Presented to the citizens by the Rotary Club of Toronto.

A magnifying glass isn’t necessary when exploring  natural spaces but it can help you get a closer look.Very brightly colored red flowers. Pink flowers, bush, close up.

The park contains Toronto’s largest pond and approximately 110 acres of remnant oak woodland communities, once common on the Great Lakes sand plains.

There is no provision for lighting on the nature trails. These trails are intended for daytime use only. 

There are different levels of difficulty: from Asphalt Path (easy, level terrain) to Woodchip Path (moderately slopped terrain) and Footpath (not maintained). Flowers white buttons - Pretty beige flower bush.

A fictional character with bright fuchsia hair and lips hidden behind the leaves.

The booklets which were developed by Toronto City Planning can help you uncover the broad diversity of spiders, birds, trees/shrubs, butterflies, fishes, mammals, reptiles and amphibians found in High Park and other Toronto’s parks.

Two loonies in Grenadier Pond.

The High Park administration recommends that you enjoy secluded areas in the company of friends.

You’ll be amazed at how many animals and rare plants you’ll see.

Keep your eyes open and listen carefully while exploring Toronto's Parks and Trails.

Sakura in winter. 

Nature in the City: You can also find an incredible Biodiversity Booklet Series available online and at Toronto Public Libraries. Flowers of sakura Purple blue flower (petunia), close up

High Park : Animal Paddocks, Baseball, Colborne Lodge, Dream Site, Fishing, Food Concession Grenadier Restaurant, Football, Hillside Gardens, Howard Tomb and Monument, Information Map, Lawn Bowling, Nature Trail/Foot Path, Outdoor Pool, Parking, Pedestrian path (paved), Picnic Areas, Playground, Road (vehicular access), Road (no vehicular access), Sculpture Symposium Site, Skating, Soccer, Stairs, Streetcar Stop, Subway Station, Summer Music Festival, Telephone, Tennis Court, Trackless Train Stop, Wading Pool, Washroom.For more information on area of the High Park history, inquire at the Runnymede Branch of the Toronto Public Library. For more information on parks and parks programs, please call 416-392-1111.

Immortal Life

Immortal Life

By Stanley Bing

Core Dump

“Okay,” Arthur said. “I wanna take about fifteen minutes to hear all the shit that's fucked up around here. And don't bullshit a bullshitter. I was laying it on people before some of you were born, and that's really saying something.” He looked around the table expectantly.

“Okay, Artie,” said Jerry, very, very respectfully. “We were prepared with some brief material in anticipation of this meeting. We just weren't sure if you'd be interested in the granular stuff.”

“Not too granular,” said Arthur. “Just granular enough.”

“We might as well start with the workforce issue,” said Jerry. “Allie?”

“Here, Jer.” said a young woman, practically baby, maybe only in her mid-fifties, who was standing near the smoked salmon display on the sideboard, sipping on a cup of coffee. She was tall and athletic, wearing a suit much like the one sported by the rest of her cadre except that where they had pinstriped pants, she had a pinstriped skirt that fell just above her knees. Her cranial implant was alabaster white and glowed behind her ear like an illuminated jewel. The only other gender-defining touches were a white silk scarf tied loosely around her throat and the pile of light-blond hair gathered at the top of her head. She was wearing large horn-rimmed glasses, which she pushed to the top of her head as she eagerly took center stage.

“Artie, this is Alessandra Morph, our head of Human and Artificial Resources. “She's going to scare the shit out of you.”

“Better men than she have tried,” said Arthur, and some in the room may have wet themselves, such was the intensity of their mirth.

“That's not much of an introduction, Jerry,” said Morph as she strode forward. She took a position behind the installed podium in the corner just pas the end of the table, and waved her arm in the vague direction of the wall behind her, which immediately disintegrated, turning into a translucent screen. On it were the words “A Workforce in Crisis.” Under that chilling title, a smaller subhead: “The New Employee: Dedicated, Industrious, and Incapable of Independent Thought.” 

Immortal brides. Photo by Elena.

«Well, that's not good,” said Arthur.

“You have no idea.” She stood near the wall that was now a display and let the headline sink in. “The situation is this,” she began. “A significant number of the citizens in Athena have evolved.”

“Evolved?” Arthur was mystified. “You mean... spiritually? Socially?”

“Genetically,” said Morph. There was a brief silence as people chewed, swallowed, and then digested this gristly nugget. “that in itself is not the issue,” Morph continued. “It happens. The circumstances of life change, and people change with it. This, however, appears to be progressing in a way that is unexpected over such a short time frame. And it has implications for the company in both upside and downside.”

A sequence of tedious graphics now accompanied the presentation to give people something to look at, with headlines and bulleted subordinate points.

“There are several factors that contribute to this weird development,” she said. “First, there is almost no functional limit to the age people can attain. People simply... cure unto a very advanced state. More people die in household accidents than die of old age.” There was a general murmur around the table. This was their ultimate fear: to break an artificial limb in a fall down the stairs or electrocute one's head in the shower.

Central Park Monuments

Central Park Monuments and Sculptures

A total of 29 sculptures have appeared since 1863 in New York City's 843-acre Central Park. While many early statues are of authors and poets along "Literary Walk" and American figures like Daniel Webster and "the Pilgrim", other early works were simply picturesque, like The Hunter and The Falconer; other notable statues include sled dog Balto, the so-called "Cleopatra's Needle"—an Egyptian obelisk—Alice of Wonderland, and most recently Duke Ellington.

Balto - Balto was dedicated to the sled dogs that led several dogsled teams through a snow-storm in the winter of 1925 in order to deliver medicine that would stop a diphtheria epidemic in Nome, Alaska. The sculpture is slightly larger than the real-life dog, and is placed on a rock outcropping on the main path leading north from the Tisch Children's Zoo. The sculpture was created by Frederick George Richard Roth, and placed in the park in 1925. 

Eagles and Prey, designed and created by Christophe Fratin, is the oldest known sculpture in any New York City park. It is made of bronze, and was cast in Paris, France in 1850 and was placed in the park in 1863.

Still Hunt by sculptor Edward Kemeys (1843–1907) was placed in the park in 1883. This bronze sculpture of a crouching cougar waiting to pounce, was created by Edward Kemeys, the famous American sculptor who also created the famous Hudson Bay wolves at the Philadelphia Zoo, and lions at the entrance to the Art Institute of Chicago.

Many other sculptures highlight the beauty of the Central Park. All the pictures have been taken by Elena.

Alice in Wonderland. This large sculpture depicts Alice, from Lewis Carroll's 1865 classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Alice is pictured sitting on a giant mushroom reaching toward a pocket watch held by the White Rabbit. Peering over her shoulder is the Cheshire cat, flanked on one side by the dormouse, and on the other by Mad Hatter, who in contrast to the calm Alice looks ready to laugh out loud at any moment. The poem, "The Jabberwocky" is also included; chiseled in a granite circle surrounding the sculpture: 'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe The design of the sculpture attracts many children who want to climb its many levels, resulting in the bronze's glowing patina, polished by thousands of tiny hands over the years since the sculpture was unveiled.

José Marti at the main entrance of the park.

Hans Christian Andersen, the famous Danish fairy-tale writer, his most notable work being "The Ugly Duckling". His statue features him sitting and reading to a stray duck. The 1956 work by sculptor Georg J. Lober was constructed with contributions from Danish and American schoolchildren. It was cast at Modern Art Foundry, Astoria, Queens, NY.

José de San Martin, national hero of Argentina.

Thomas Moore.

Simon Bolivar, freedom-fighter for Latin America. The equestrian sculpture of Simón Bolívar was originally sited on the rock outcropping between 82nd and 83rd Streets overlooking Central Park West, where the Bolívar Hotel, once facing it, commemorates its location.  After Sixth Avenue was renamed Avenue of the Americas in 1945, the sculpture was relocated in the 1950s to be adjacent to those of fellow Latin American revolutionary leaders José de San Martín and José Martí at the head of the Avenue of the Americas.

Obelisk. The 107th Infantry Memorial is dedicated to the men who served in the 107th New York Infantry Regiment, originally Seventh Regiment of New York, during World War I. The regiment was, as its name implies, stationed in New York, and consisted of males mainly from this region. In 1917, the National Guard's 7th New York Infantry Registry Division. 

Denizens of Earth

Denizens of Earth

It must be natural that if our local, observable universe is embedded in a larger structure, a multi-verse, then there must be many other places in this larger structure. These places, call them planets or drops of water for that matter, must have denizens in them that call their local environs the universe (the only one, the unique universe). Conditions in those other places could be very different. Or they could be pretty similar to what we have here on our Earth, so if they happen to drop by, they may cast a look at these photos and get excited about the fact of how similar we all are.

A natural but looking as an artificial blue cat.

A proud Goat.

Elk-medallion St. James Town West recreation park, an elk Medallion who lives there.

Fresh, healthy, fast. The fresh concept of the Marché Cow.

Loch Gal Frog King.

Yorkville Bear.

Jamaican Cats.

Stone Cat.

Leopard Cat.

Pusha.

Menace of Jamaica.

Loonies in High Park, Toronto.

Whitewater Around the World

Whitewater Around the World

The most scared I have ever been on the water was while making A River Wild in Montanta, says Arlene Burns, a member of the U.S. Women's Whitewater Team and one of the world's foremost experts on whitewater rafting, who was Meryl Streep's double in a film. Whitewater rafting isn't for the faint of heart, but it doesn't usually call for stunt doubles, either. Here are some of Burn's picks of the world's most unforgettable rafting spots.

Bio Bio River, Chile: Jungle sceneray, the Mapuchi Indians, and warm water are the draws for this classic rafting river.

Chatkal River, Uzbekistan: This big-water )class IV and class V rapids) river flows through the snow-capped Tienshan mountain range down south to Kisilkum. Where the land is lush, and finally dwindles into desert. The mountain and valley communities that lined the Chatkal were victims of Stalin's forced relocation policies, and the abandoned orchards and farms along the river give it a haunting quality. After theput-out, a trip to nearby Samarkand, one of the world's oldest cities, is a must.

Katnali River, Nepal: The Karnali originates in the Kialash area of Tibet, which Hindus and Buddhists believe to be the navel of the earth. From an altitude of 15,000 feet, the river descends some 350 miles through glaciers high in the Himalayas to the flatlands of Nepal.

Tatshenshini River, Alaska: The icy waters of the Tatshenshini frighten off a lot of rafters, but the rapids usually are mild, making the possibility of an unexpected swim unlikely. Located in the St. Alais coastal range, the river offers a mild float marked by passing glaciers, grizzly bears, black bears, bald eagles and osprey.

Zambezi River, Zimbabwe: The Zambezi is renowned as the biggest commercially run whitewater in the world. Rafters put in directly beneath the spectacular Victoria Falls and travel on through the narrow basaltic (volcanic formation) gorges that separate Zimbabwe from Zambia. Warm weather and beautiful, sandy beaches invite frequent swimming, but be careful – hippos and crocodiles are a real threat.

Best whitewater. Picture by Elena.

A Champion's Favorite Rivers

A Champion's Favorite Rivers

Where to go for the best whitewater kayaking in the country

Whitewater kayaking is not a sport for the timid. One of the first things any good kayaker learns, in fact, is “the roll”, in which one spins the kayak upside down, placing oneself briefly but enirely under water. As a member of the U.S. Whitewater Team and the 1987 winner of the World Whitewater Championships in France, Bruce Lessels has had plenty of experience rolling his kayak. Here, Lessels, who also is the author of the Whitewater Handbook, and the president of the Zoar Outdoor kayaking School in Charlemont, Massachussets, lists seven of his favorite places to kayak in the United States.

Tuolumne River: Stanislaus National Forest, California: Located near Yosemite National Park in a pristine land reserve, the Tuolumne has 6 miles of expert-only class IV and class V rapids at top. Below are 18 miles of slightly less demanding class IV rapids.

Permits: Granted to only 80 people per day to prevent overcrowding. For permit and river condition information, call the Goveland Ranger District in Stanislaus National Forest.

Rogue River, Southwestern Oregon: Expert kayakers love this river for its class IV and class V rapids. But warm water and a 40-mile run of class II to class V rapids also make it fun for novices.

Schools: Sundance Expeditions Kayak School and Rafting Company, based in Merlin, Ore., offers a nine-day introductory course.

Permits: A limited number are given out through a lottery system with a January 31 deadline for the Memorial Day through Labor Day season.

Loonies. Photo by Elena.

Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Central Idaho: A paddler's favorite, the Middle Fork is 98 miles of remote, wild river appropriate for beginning, intermediate, and advanced kayakers. The water is warm, many of the beaches are sandy, and along the way are excellent hiking, great trout fishing, and beautiful hot springs.

Permits: For private permit information or a list or area outfitters, call the U.S. Forest service, Middle Fork Ranger District.

The Clark's Fork of the Yellowstone River, Southwestern Montana: The whitewater and scenery are awesome, but non-expert paddlers should steer clear; the river's 37 miles of class IV and V rapids have proven deadly for even the most advanced kayakers. Wildlife is plentiful.

Permits: Because there is not a problem of overuse, no permits are required. For more information, call the Jackson Hole Kayak School.

Rio Grande, Big Bend National Park, Texas: Unlike most other American rivers, the Rio Grande is runnable all year. Hot springs warm the water to a perennially comfortable 70 degrees, making the river inviting to even the wimpiest of beginners. Rapids range from class II to class III, but the temperature and scenery make the river popular even with advanced kayakers.

Permits: Required for all paddlers and can be obtained on-site at Big Bend National Park. For more information, call the Park Service at Big Bend.

Chattooga River, South Carolina and Georgia: Deliverance was filmed here. The Chattooga's rapids are some of the most challenging on the East Coast, and the scenery some of the most beautiful. Few have successfully navigated the reacherous class IV section, and many have sustaned critical injuries in the attempt.

Schools: Beginners come here for the Nantahala Outdoor School in Bryson City, N.C. 

Permit: Kayakers running the river on their own can obtain the required permits at the put-in at the U.S. Route 76 Bridge near Clayton, Ga.

Sheenjek River, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska: Although the rapids on this river usually do not exceed class II, the temperature and volume of the water combined with the remoteness of the site make this almost a class III challenge. The area is accessible only by seaplane.

Permits: For information, call the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Battery and Hudson Parks

Battery and Hudson Parks in New York City

New York City Parks

Welcome to your park. This is a shared public space provided for your enjoyment and recreation. Dogs must be properly licensed and vaccinated. Be courteous and respectful to others, and please keep the park clean.

The Hudson River Estuary Program

New York State established the Hudson River Estuary Program in 1987 to conserve the estuary’s natural resources and sustain the benefits they provide. Based in the Department of Environmental Conservation, the program partners with state agencies, local governments, and private groups in carrying out projects to protect the ecosystem, promote access to an enjoyment of the estuary, and clean up pollution. The interpretive station, part of a network from Troy to New York City, furthers these aims by increasing public understanding of the estuary.

Park rules prohibit:

•     Loitering and dumping of debris
•     Smoking within the park
•     Barbecuing, except in designated areas
•     Unleashed dogs, except in designated areas between the hours of 9pm to 9am when the park is open
•     Using illegal drugs and alcohol
•     Feeding birds and squirrels
•     Entering the park after it is closed
•     Solicitation and obstructing entrances
•     Amplifying sound, performing and rallying, engaging in commercial activity, and vehicles, except by permit.

A fort or something... This mysterious structure is very big (look at the people walking around). Photo by Elena.

Robert F. Wagner Junior Park. Photp by Elena.

Stephan Weiss 1938-2001. Apple 2000/01. Dedicated by the artist to the city of New York and to the neighbors and neighborhood of the Far West Village that filled his heart. Stephan Weiss Studio. Photo by Elena.

Korean War Memorial. New York Korean War Veterans Memorial. Mac Adams, Artists, dedicated June 25, 1991. Photo by Elena.

The Immigrants. Dedicated to the people of all nations who entered America through Castle Garden. In memory of Samuel Rudin (1896-1975) whose parents arrived in America in 1881. Photo by Elena.

A Middle Ages wall. Photo by Elena.

New residential buildings in the Green village. Photo by Elena.

The path is going through half of New York. Photo by Elena.

The Hudson River park is a perfect place to admire the Hudson. Photo by Elena.

Another portion of this long park. Photo by Elena.

View on New York downtown and the Memorial center. Photo by Elena.

Hudson River trail. Photo by Elena.

American Merchant Mariners' Memorial. To all merchant mariners who have served America from the Revultionary War through the present day in the prosecution of war and in pursuit of peaceful commercie, unrecognized thousands have lost their lives at sea. Their sacrifices have helped secure America's liberty and prosperity. The sculpture was inspired by a photograph of the victims of a submarine attack during World War II. Left to the perils of the sea, the survivors later perished. This memorial serves as a marker for America's merchant mariners resting in the unmarked ocean depths. In recongnition and appreciations. Sculptor Marisol.

1941 - 1945 Erected by the United States of America in proud and grateful remembrance of her sons who gave their lives in her service and who sleep in the American Coastal Waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Into Thy Hands, O Lord

For three decades, this sculpture stood in the plaza of the World Trade Center. Entitled The Sphere, it was conceived by artist Fritz Koenig as a symbol of world peace. It was damaged during the tragic events of September 11, 2001, but endures as an icon of hope and the indestructible spirit of this country. The Sphere was placed here on March 11, 2002 as a temporary memorial to all who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. This eternal flame was ignited on September 11, 2002 in honor of all those who were lost. Their spirit and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

History of New Pier 1: New Pier 1 was designed by General George B. McClellan (of Civil War fame), first Engineer-in-Chief of the Department of Docks. It was constructed between 1872 and 1877 as part of a larger maritime complex that included a wharf and boat landing. The pier was later leased to the Iron Steam-Boat Company, which ran ferries to Coney Island beginning in 1881. The Steam-Boat Company erected a two-story pier building to house a restaurant, a saloon, and a dance hall.

By 1897, New Pier 1 was turned over to freight use, and in 1972, it was demolished to make way for Battery Park City. The white granite inlay in the pavement of this plaza indicates the aproximate location of New Pier 1 and the shorelines circa 1877 and 1886. The water around these piers was infilled in the early 1970s to creat Battery Park City, so the former site of New Pier 1 is now largely within the footprint of Robert F. Wagner Park. Photo by Elena.

View on New Jersey from the Hudson Park. Photo by Elena.

A structure looking like the head of the statue of Liberty. Photo by Elena.