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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday April 21, 2007 - 9 Adopting a park is easy way to be a friend of the environment By Karen Alton SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER As I write this piece on the verge of Earth Day 2007 the birds are chirping madly outside my window and I see the hint of yellow buds on the forsythia in the garden. The maple trees are budding too, and the hosta lilies poking up through the ground. The sun is shining in a clear, distant sky. All is right with the world. But it's not really, of course. There are troubling issues, mind-boggling issues that threaten the planet over-population, pollution in the air and water, resource depletion, threats to health and biodiversity - and the current, mother of all global catastrophes, climate change. It's a cliché now, but I act locally, in my own small ways to assuage these global threats. If everyone did, I think we'd soon turn things around. I am an optimist. A year or two ago my husband and I adopted. Our own children have grown and left the nest, indeed, we have a grandchild now and that, in a word, is wonderful. We are healthy and enjoy walking so we adopted a park, right outside our back gate. It keeps us grounded. And it gives our regular walks around the neighbourhood, with our litter bags in hand, an added purpose. It's a long narrow park, not exactly a trail, but a great place to walk dogs and ride bikes and get from A to B in a kinder, gentler setting. When we first moved to this neighbourhood in 1979 the official town plan identified the land behind our house as a road allowance which would one day carry noisy, smelly cars and trucks from Bronte Road down to the Lakeshore Road. Happily for us, the road never materialized and now we have this lovely park leading people, strollers, bicycles and dogs in a gentle meandering fashion down toward the lake and the shops. I tell you all this about our park ­ which is of course a public park ­ not to flaunt our good fortune, but to say that you, too, can adopt a park or a section of trail in Oakville, with a sign which reads, for example, "This park has been adopted by The Altons, or the Acorns, or the Platt Family." It will cost you nothing except a few hours each month to keep an eye on things and tidy up a bit. If there is a tree down, undue land erosion, major puddling or illegal dumping in the park, the town staff should be notified and the problem corrected. You will be the eyes and ears, the protector, of your park. Christopher Mark, Oakville's Director of Parks and Open Spaces, says with more than 14 kilometers of trail in the town, "There are lots of opportunities." You need only choose a section of trail or parkland near your home or business and commit to at least one year of stewardship. There is a colourful brochure now available in the libraries and community places with all the details of the Adopt-aTrail/Park program. While this program has been around for many years (we are among about 50 adopters to date), it is being re-launched in May or June with increased vigour. The person administering this program is Chris Mark's assistant Janet Devenish. I suggest you pick a parcel and e-mail Janet at jdevenish@oakville.ca or call 905-845-6601, ext 3076. She can get you started. To place your business logo or name here, call your Classified Sales Representative today! 905.632.4440 CARPET · ORIENTAL RUGS · VINYL · HARDWOOD · CERAMICS · CARPET HARDWOOD AREArRUG Clea ance In-stock only! From Iran Hand Woven , Persian Rugs Tabriz, Isfanhan Bidjar UP TO Area Rug s · · CERAMICS RUGS LF HA 2' x 3' s O R I E N TA L $ 1 60 2 29. Save up to % OFF to k ECaOainville C lv RI area rKulein g P collection "NEW " to DESIGNER RUGS MADE IN CANADA Floor Model Sale Making room for new products · VINYL 12 MM DESIGNER LAMINATE at compare $3.99/sq. ft. NOW · CARPET · $2.39/sq. ft. 2 Weeks Only! April 21st to May 5th Ceiling fixtures and mirrors excluded. · O R I E N TA L 00 Per (Limit One ) Customer WOOL & SILK TIBETIAN RUGS 3/4" HARDWOOD SELECT at compare $7.99/sq. ft. NOW $5.49/sq. ft. RUGS · WALL TO WALL CARPET CLEARANCE $3.99 HEAVY · CARPET at compare at compare BERBER $3.99 only $1.99/sq. ft. only $2.49/sq. ft. NYLON PLUSH at compare 50 OZ. $5.49 NYLON TWIST VINYL only $2.99/sq. ft. · · HARDWOOD CERAMICS BONUS INSTALLATION AND UNDERPAD INCLUDED! Don't Pay till 2008 Across from Home Depot Oakville Quality at Warehouse Prices! Outlet Store - Trafalgar Village · (905) 849-4472 Huge Super Store - 228 King St. E. Downtown Hamilton · (905) 546-1921 CARPET · ORIENTAL RUGS · VINYL · HARDWOOD · CERAMICS · CARPET · 309 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville ON Tel: 905.337.9494 ·