This newsletter has been produced by residents and neighbours of the Lakeside Park community and is intended to be used to share information about happenings in the park including wildlife sightings, stewardship activities and any other events or information.

In This Issue: An Overview of the Lakeside Plan 2 Lakeside Park Fall 2014 Event 4 Ash Tree Removals in Lakeside Park 6 Interview with Tim Moher 7 Photo Submission from Susan Coolen 10 Lakeside Green Neighbourhood Award 11 Stewardship Volunteers vs. Himalayan Balsam 12 Water for Dogs & Other Memories of Lakeside 13 Birds by Number 15 Kitchener’s Natural Areas Program 16 Lakeside Newsletter Info 17

November 2014

Lakeside Park News

This award was presented to the Lakeside Park community. More information on page 11.

Lakeside Park in Winter Dress (Photo © Mary Ann Vanden Elzen)

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An Overview of the Lakeside Park Management Plan

By now you would have hopefully heard about the amazing work being done in the Lakeside Park community to develop a long-term management plan for the park. The development of a natural area management plan for Lakeside Park has been an ongoing process spanning several years and including informal events, meetings and discussions between neighbours, local residents and park users who share a common interest of protecting and improving Lakeside Park. It was through this network of residents, known informally as the ‘Friends of Lakeside Park’ that the City of Kitchener was invited to meet and discuss park issues, resident concerns as well as park improvement and community involvement opportunities. In 2013, the City of Kitchener initiated the formal process of developing a management plan that would help guide city decision-making and influence future actions focused on improving natural area integrity and health while encouraging proper public use, enjoyment and long-term stewardship of the park. The year-long process involved comprehensive public consultation and provided input into the management of natural, cultural and recreational values of the park. This plan represents an opportunity to engage and involve the community in a coordinated effort of positive action that serves to intervene against unwanted or negative trends and implement a long lasting sense of stewardship and engagement in the protection and conservation of our natural resources.

The following principles will guide decision making for Lakeside Park:

1. Protect and conserve the natural heritage of Lakeside Park and, where possible, restore the integrity of the floral and faunal communities.

2. Work with the community to develop a coordinated plan that values the ecological, cultural, social, and recreational attributes of Lakeside Park.

Submitted by Josh Shea

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3. Devise and implement a sustainable approach to ecological protection that incorporates the provision of public access and improves awareness of local environmental features and conditions.

4. Reduce negative behaviours and associated impacts caused by park visitors.

5. Involve, consult and engage the community in the active and on-going stewardship of the park in order to determine budgetary and park infrastructure needs.

6. Identify areas where municipal operations can be conducted in a manner that is complimentary to park improvement and ecological protection objectives.

The following management goals have been identified:

Conserve & enhance ecological health

Improve water quality

Increase environmental awareness & education

Support recreation compatible with environmental protection

Minimize negative human impacts/behaviours

Foster greater community engagement, municipal leadership & park stewardship

View the final plan at: www.kitchener.ca/parks

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Lakeside Park Fall 2014 Event In celebration of the

Lakeside Park management plan Submitted by Josh Shea

On October 5th, Lakeside Park neighbours and friends gathered for an afternoon to celebrate the launch of the Lakeside Park management plan. This event was an important step in the evolution of the Lakeside community and represented the implementation of the first action items that were recommended as a result of the public input for the management plan. Highlights from the afternoon included a special visit from Julia of Free Bird Falconry, kids’ crafts, face painting and the planting of 6 trees, 6 shrubs and 200 herbaceous pollinator and bird friendly plantings. These plantings were identified as a key action item for Lakeside and the effort to increase biodiversity and improve wildlife habitat. These plantings also begin the process of park naturalization where, over time, some areas will be selected for planting and will no longer be areas where grass is cut. It is important to note that much of the open areas of the park will remain, though reducing the amount of open space and grass cutting not only reduces maintenance cost but also supports some of the long-term goals for Lakeside Park. The location of these plantings is shown in the map below. Areas that are being removed from the grass cutting schedule will be marked so they are identifiable. An enjoyable time was had by all with good conversation, yummy cake and positive environmental actions being taken. This is only the first of many events and we look forward to more projects in support of a healthier Lakeside Park. Additional pictures from the event are included on page 5.

American Kestrel. Photo © Ruth Cummings

Yellow areas are the newest Lakeside Park naturalization zones

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Future park stewards hard at work. Photo © Mary Ann Vanden Elzen

Experienced park stewards and long-time Lakeside Park supporters making a difference. Photo © Minnie Mansfield.

Julia from Free Bird Falconry and Honey the Harris Hawk Photo © Mary Ann Vanden Elzen

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Ash Tree Removals in Lakeside Park

In an on-going effort to manage the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) pest in the City of Kitchener, the city will be removing approximately 9 trees from the open park area in Lakeside. EAB is an invasive pest that was originally discovered in Kitchener in 2010. This insect attacks and kills ash trees by laying eggs into the living layer of the tree. When the eggs hatch, the larvae feed between the bark and the sapwood of the tree which, over time, kills the tree by closing off the movement of water and nutrients. The removal of these trees is part of a larger EAB management plan which focuses on treating and protecting large healthy trees and removing smaller and unhealthy trees. Across Kitchener, 80% or approximately 5000 trees in total will be removed over the next several years. By removing these trees now, the city will be better able to manage the overall costs relating to this pest and focus on planning long-term reforestation efforts. At present, no capital funding has been allocated to replant all of these trees. Replanting will focus first on street trees and then in parks. Efforts to begin replanting trees in Lakeside Park will hopefully begin in 2016-17. More details on EAB and tree planting in Lakeside will follow.

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In Tune with Lakeside Interview with Tim Moher

Submitted by

Mary Ann Vanden Elzen

An accomplished local jazz musician and teacher, Tim Moher had just recently moved into the Lakeside neighbourhood. Unaware of the park and the lake, imagine his surprise upon discovering our hidden jewel! So profound was his reaction that he was inspired to compose an entire CD which he subsequently titled “Forest Hill – Summer.”

You are a long time resident of Kitchener but only recently moved into the Lakeside neighbourhood. What was it about the neighbourhood that appealed to you? After many months of searching around Waterloo and Kitchener, I found it very difficult to find an affordable home that I would be happy with. When entering Lakeside Dr. for the first time, I was very impressed with the mature trees and well maintained properties. I was totally sold on the newly renovated home as soon as I walked in. Shortly after making the purchase, I was very pleasantly surprised and, to be honest, shocked, at the beautiful Lakeside Park. I will always remember my first few walks through the park; I couldn’t stop grinning the whole time. The beauty and privacy is second to none in Kitchener. I feel blessed to have happened upon such an amazing neighbourhood. Describe your very first encounter with Lakeside Park. It was unbelievable! I had no idea it was here. I’m originally from North Bay and, by comparison, I was so saddened that there were so few lakes in southwestern Ontario. I can’t believe this small but beautiful lake is right in the middle of Kitchener. What a gem for the Forest Hill residents! How did this encounter with the park inspire you to create your “Forest Hill - Summer” CD? After embarking on this CD project, I knew I had to come up with a title and location for a photo shoot. Choosing the park setting was easy. I’m so inspired by the nature and the neighbours of Forest Hill. I wanted to mark this transition in my life with the beauty I’ve encountered in my new surroundings.

Tim in front of tree at Lakeside Park

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What kind of response has “Forest Hill - Summer” garnered? “Forest Hill – Summer” has garnered nothing but positive response from those who have purchased the CD. It’s on the soft jazz / easy listening side and I am very proud of the outcome. My only frustration is in getting it out there. Many jazz radio stations found it to be “too soft” for their audience, but I’m determined to find other avenues to get the music to the people. It’s great for entertaining, dinner music, late night down time, or in the car after a stressful day. You had a photo shoot for the album at Lakeside Park. What mood / spirit / character of the park were you attempting to capture? I personally find it difficult to capture the beauty of nature on camera. So I was very fortunate to be able to hire my son, Patrick, a second year creative photography student at Humber College and, because of his expertise, I believe we succeeded. Once the photo shoot was over and Patrick was walking home, he caught sight of the tree on the hill and captured it in a beautiful shot that was an easy winner for the cover. What is your earliest musical memory? Dancing to music on top of a small stool to my brother, Peter, playing piano in the living room. That event was cemented in my mind because of the ensuing, very long, tortuous car ride to the hospital after breaking my elbow from the fall off that stool. See, Peter was an awesome piano player. His teacher, a nun, had a terrific mind and a passion for music. Her schedule was booked solid, and I remember standing at the window of the conservatory, mesmerized, watching her teach her students. I wanted to be in there! Later that year, she had room for me in her schedule. I was thrilled with the opportunity, but not nearly so thrilled with the arduous discipline required to satisfy her expectations - 10 minutes a day of practice! From where does your inspiration come when composing music? The inspiration is difficult to describe. As Paul Klee, a 20th century painter, once mused, “I am one with the colour.” For me, to paraphrase him, I would say, “I am one with the music.” Melodies usually come easily. I’ll hammer the mechanics of getting it down on paper using different mediums (flute, soprano sax, tenor sax, piano) in order to play to the strength of each instrument. For the “Forest Hill – Summer” CD, each musical piece was co-written with Rick Hutt of Cedartree Recording Studio. Simply put, I would come up with the melody, record it, and then Rick would do much of the harmony. Together, we would then bring in other musicians to finish the piece. You are quite active in the local jazz scene. What local gigs have you had recently? I’ve performed at the Waterloo Jazz Festival, the Waterloo Region Record’s Grand River Show, the Waterloo Region Food and Drink Expo, and at various corporate events. I’ve played in terrific pubs, restaurants and wine bars. I’ve also done quite a few weddings, private events and backyard parties.

You have been involved with music for much of your life. What do you find most satisfying about it? At one point in time, I found practicing a burden. I still struggle with handling family commitments and being a musician. But more recently I’ve noticed that I’m having far more fun practicing and performing than ever before. Sometimes I’ll take a horn out, planning to practice, and find myself composing instead, and yet the act of composition really does help my playing. The whole recording process has been liberating, too, because I’ll go tepidly into the studio with something that I find to be simple and barely worth bringing to the table and then later it becomes one of my favourite compositions (e.g., Emerald Blues). I’m very intrigued with the entire process. I should add that as an itinerant music teacher with the WCDSB, I’m more convinced than ever of the power of music - for both the listener and the learner. I’ve seen many students who would otherwise go unnoticed through the school system flourish in this discipline. Their esteem rises (as did mine as a student), and they find their voice. Is there anything else you’d like to mention about your music in relation to Lakeside Park or in relation to the natural environment? I really think I’d like to get the birds on one of my upcoming “Forest Hill – season to be determined” albums. At first I thought I’d work chronologically through the seasons for my future albums, but I’m not so sure now. For more information, or to purchase a copy of “Forest Hill – Summer”, or to submit a captivating photo of the park for possible consideration on a future CD, you may contact Tim at:

Phone: 519-576-7699 Website: www.tmjazz.com

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Album Cover (Photo © Patrick Moher)

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Annual Spring Clean-up A photo submission of finds by Susan Coolen

Sunshine in Lakeside Park

Rebecca’s Tree Swallow Egg

Connect the Dots Tree Stump with Holes

FUNGI

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Lakeside Park Wins Green Neighbourhood Award Presented October 27, 2013

On Sun. Oct. 27, 2013, The Lakeside Park community was presented with the “Green Neighbourhood Award” at the City of Kitchener’s Festival of Neighbourhoods. This award is given for a neighbourhood activity centering on an environmental theme. The award was specifically presented for the “Great Backyard Bird Count” outing held on Feb. 16 which entailed viewing and recording bird species and numbers coming to backyard feeders and surrounding areas at three different homes. This outing would not have been possible had it not been for the organizing efforts of the Kitchener-Waterloo Field Naturalists. In acknowledgement of their contributions, the following is the

address given by Mary Ann Vanden Elzen to the KWFN membership at their November 2013 club meeting: I wanted to tell you, the members of the KWFN, (www.kwfn.ca) about this award – the Green Neighbourhood Award – which was presented to the Lakeside neighbourhood in Kitchener recently for “gathering neighbours for environmental action, conservation or beautification.” As some of you may know, the City of Kitchener encourages its residents to organize activities designed to bring neighbours together and promote a spirit of community within neighbourhoods. These initiatives are recognized at the Festival of Neighbourhoods (www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/FestivalOfNeighbourhoods.asp) held annually in the Rotunda a Kitchener City Hall. Awards are presented in various categories. And, this year, the Lakeside Park community won the 2013 Green Neighbourhood Award. Some of you may be puzzled as to why I’m mentioning this at a KWFN meeting. The truth is, we couldn’t have done it without you. We wanted to recognize and acknowledge the very significant role the KWFN played in Lakeside receiving this award. One could say this award belongs as much to the KWFN as to the Friends of Lakeside Park and we wanted to give credit where credit is due. Lakeside won this award specifically for the Great Backyard Bird Count event which was inspired by Graham Macdonald (President of KWFN) and planned by Jim Burrell (Outings Director of KWFN). Additionally, we observed backyard feeders at three different homes and were very graciously hosted by: Jim and Irene Cappleman, Amy Burke and Larry Lamb, and Brenda and Alan Holvey.

Plus, the official recorder of all bird species observed was Paul Bigelow. And, there is no event at Lakeside that doesn’t have the invisible hand of Marion Kelterborn somewhere in it. Marion, too, is a member of KWFN. And, lastly, the event was well attended by both Lakesiders and members of KWFN. I’d like to thank the KWFN in general and the individuals I mentioned in particular for their contributions toward such an enjoyable and successful and award-winning event.

Photo © City of Kitchener

By Mary Ann Vanden Elzen

2014 Page 12

Stewardship Volunteers vs. Himalayan Balsam

Himalayan Balsam. Notice pink flowers which appear in early July.

Stem of H. Balsam. Red/purple colour and hollow structure are main

ID characteristics.

Each year the City of Kitchener hosts a Youth Environmental Stewardship Program where high school students volunteer one week of their time during summer vacation to assist with environmental improvement projects. This program is focused around hands-on learning and is full of variety and full of fun! Much of the week is spent learning about local ecology, performing trail clean-up and maintenance activities, assisting with invasive species management programs, and contributing to ecological monitoring objectives. This summer, the stewardship volunteers helped tackle the growing problem of Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) that is found along the south edge of Shoemaker Pond. Fortunately the population of Himalayan Balsam at Lakeside is not large and can be controlled with time and physical effort. This plant is native to the Himalayas and was originally introduced as a garden ornamental plant. Now that it has escaped into the wild throughout most of North America, it is threatening native species (including the similar and related native Jewelweed) by creating dense thick patches and little opportunity for other plants to survive.

Submitted by Josh Shea

Stewardship volunteers at work. A few hours of effort will go a long way in supporting healthy habitats at Lakeside.

‘Water for the Dogs’ and other Memories of Lakeside Park

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Submitted by Harold Russell

Paul Synder and Dorothy White

(All photos © Harold Russel)

In my childhood, “The Waterworks Bush,” as we called it, was about a fifteen minute walk from my home in Victoria Park neighbourhood. I'm sure that my first trips were family walks led by my great uncle, Frank Schantz, with whom I lived. Frank loved spotting birds. He had joined a Berlin Nature Study Club in 1903. During the nineteen teens, he and his niece, who would be my mother, Dorothy, always awoke early during the month of May to identify warblers in the nearby park. In the 1930s, Frank was one of the founders of the Kitchener-Waterloo Field Naturalists club. The trails and fields around Lakeside Park were a great and convenient place to go birding and botanizing. In my collection are a set of winter photographs taken by my mother and her friend and neighbour, Viola Snyder. They show Uncle Frank and Viola's brother, Paul, on excursion to Lakeside Park on snowshoes and skis. In that simpler time, I can imagine them travelling most of the way by this means. The photos, however, are on tree-lined snow burdened country trails.

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A humorous moment is captured as Paul falls in his skis in deep snow and Frank enjoys the superiority of his snowshoes. In the distance we see wooded hills, split-rail fences, and fields long replaced by Greenbrook Drive. The clothes are not today's fashionable attire but layers of street-wear modified for enjoying a winter hike in the woods. In my childhood days in the 1940s, some trips were driven by a different motive. Uncle Frank kept a Beagle hound as a hunting dog. When the Beagle was not on the hunt, he was my pet, Sport. Down Schneider Avenue, my friend, John Fuchs, also had a dog, Rex. Once Uncle Frank had shown us the way through the postwar subdivision, we often went on our own with our dogs. Even in the days before dogs-on-leash laws, giving your dog a free run in the woods was great fun. In addition to the "bottomless" lake, there was a wooded hill and a creek feeding out of the lake. On a warm summer's day, John's and my rallying cry was, "Water for the dogs!" And away we would trek. What better playground could a boy and his dog ask for? The wooded hill was perfect for childhood adventure games; local boys had erected quite splendid log "forts." I have always come back for a quiet moment, a walk along the trails with binoculars to see what I can spot on the pond. An urban wilderness close at hand, the pond edges alive with song and flight. My mother and her birding friends knew it well. You could always find robins sheltered in winter or warblers passing through in spring. After writing this, I returned one April day and had one of my best mornings birding in the park!

Dorothy White snowshoeing with Uncle Frank Shantz at Waterworks Park.

Frank Shantz on snowshoes appears to be more stable than Paul Snyder on Skis!

Paul and Frank trekking in Waterworks Bush

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Birds by Number The following birds were observed during the spring

clean-up event - May 3, 2014

Observations by Ken Dance

9 Canada Goose 2 Mallard Duck

2 Green-winged Teal 2 Ring-billed Gull

3 Downy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 1 Least Flycatcher

1 Blue-headed Vireo 1 Blue Jay

1 American Crow 4 Tree Swallow 2 Barn Swallow

7 Black-capped Chickadee 2 White-breasted Nuthatch 10 Ruby-crowned Kinglet

8 American Robin 1 European Starling

1 Black-and-white Warbler 5 Palm Warbler

1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 Black-throated Green Warbler

1 Chipping Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow

1 White-throated Sparrow 4 Northern Cardinal

8 Red-winged Blackbird 28 Common Grackle

3 Brown-headed Cowbird 9 American Goldfinch

8 House Sparrow

30 different species discovered in the park in early May!

Pied-billed Grebe

This bird is now found breeding at Lakeside Park.

Although not recorded at the park in early May, they can be seen and heard

throughout the summer months.

Photo © Luanne Hickey

Kitchener’s Natural Areas Program (KNAP)

Discover nature in the city Kitchener's Natural Areas Program is an environmental program that is focused on the stewardship of natural areas in our community. In recognition that a healthy environment is critical to sustain the present and future population of the City of Kitchener, Kitchener’s Natural Areas Program works to fulfill the following: Engage the community in environmental stewardship projects. Educate people about Kitchener's natural areas. Create opportunities for people to experience nature in the city.

With the belief that greater knowledge of the environment will enable more respect and friendlier habits, Kitchener’s Natural Areas Program provides educational and interactive opportunities for people of all ages to get in touch with nature. Activities include nature walks (left), tree planting (centre), ecological monitoring, and restoration efforts. KNAP and Lakeside Park Over the past number of years, residents of the Lakeside Park neighbourhood have been working with the City of Kitchener on a number of projects and initiatives to help improve the natural environment and to engage neighbours, friends and families in the adoption and wise stewardship of their local park. Some of the past activities have included: annual educational hikes and events to learn about the ecology (plants and animals) of the park, restoration projects to increase native tree and shrub diversity, monitoring and protection of turtle (Painted Turtle and Snapping Turtle) nests and populations, and citizen monitoring of butterfly populations. Contact us to get involved and volunteer to improve this unique place.

For more information about KNAP Email: knap@kitchener.ca

Phone Number: (519) 741-2600 ext. 4177

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Lakeside Newsletter We invite and encourage your comments, suggestions and/or submissions (photo or

written) to the Lakeside newsletter. Contact Information: 519-741-2600 ext 4177 or knap@kitchener.ca

The development of this newsletter is made possible through the contributions

and efforts of the following people:

Mary Ann Vanden Elzen, Marion Kelterborn & Josh Shea

Photo © Jeff Schroeder

Upcoming Activities and Projects Relating to the Lakeside Management Plan.

Stay Tuned for Spring 2015 Events