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1878 Map of Lavender Creek (Formerly known as Rowntree's Creek)
January 2004 |
1878 Map of Lavender Creek |
Do you want to know why Lavender Creek was once called Rowntree's Creek? It is because William Rowntree was a former landowner in this neighbourhood. Use this map to find out more about Rowntree as well as other landowners such as, Silverthorn, Rogers, Nairn, Gilbert Thomas and more. An interactive map of Lavender Creek from 1878 is now available here. This information was obtained from St. Clair West in Pictures by Nancy Byers and Barbara Myrvold.
This map was created by Luis Santos |
Students Complete Detailed Survey of Creeks
November, 2003 |
Overall Research Areas map |
Michigan Research Area |
| GIS students have completed a survey of the local watershed and have produced a series of detailed maps that can by utilized by other classes. The research areas are approximately 100m in length and have been named, from east to west, after the five Great Lakes. Individual classes have begun to adopt research areas for a variety of uses such as tree-planting, clean-up, flora and fauna analysis, wildflower garden planting, etc..
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Tree Planting and Restoration Resumes
September, 2003 |
Romero Students Planting Trees |
Students at Work |
| Students have begun the new school year by planting over a hundred trees along the banks of the creek. Plans this year include dividing the creek into smaller research areas which can by adopted by individual classes.
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Our Efforts to Restore Lavender Creek Recognized at City Hall
July 24, 2003 |
Romero Representatives with Councillor Nunziata |
Sewer Outfalls Along the Creek |
| Councillor Frances Nunziata thanked Romero staff and students at a City of Toronto council meeting today. She presented a motion to council that commended our school community for its leadership, initiative, and strong environmental advocacy to save Lavender Creek. To view the City's water quality report, click here.
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Students Praised in Latest Toronto Star Article
July 13, 2003 |
Toronto Star comunist, Joe Fiorito continues to follow our efforts to save Lavender Creek. To view the his latest column, click here.
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REACH Chosen As Runner-Up in Canadian Environment Awards - Green Team Challenge!
June 2, 2003 |
Students Planting Trees |
Students Remove Shopping Carts From Creek |
| REACH (Romero Environment and Community Helpers) is now recognized as one of the Canada's most innovative and effective school-based initiatives that is having an impact on preserving or restoring the local environment. Congratulations staff and students!
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Industry Begins Massive Creek Clean Up
May 13th, 2003 |
One of Seven Dumpsters |
A Shocked Mr. Cassano |
| Very good news! Ryding-Regency Meat Packers Ltd. has begun cleaning up the heavily polluted section of the Lavender Creek ravine behind their factory. Read the York Guardian article here.
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Earth Day a Huge Success!
April 22nd, 2003 |
Politicians Meet Romero Students |
MP Alan Tonks Plants a Tree on the Banks of Lavender Creek |
| Staff, students and community groups worked cooperativley to restore Lavender Creek on Earth Day. Hundreds of volunteers planted numerous trees along the banks of the creek on a very productive day. They also removed massive amounts of trash from the area, including beds, shopping carts and a ladder. Local supporters in attendance included MP Alan Tonks, MPP Joe Cordiano, Metroland Newspapers, TrashBusters, and Canadian Tire. Donations were received from Home Depot and the City of Toronto. Our efforts were also acknowledged in the York Guardian, read the story here! . |
Local Papers Removed from Ravine
March 20th, 2003 |
Before |
After |
| The Bloor West Villager has proven to be a good corporate citizen. As promised, the Villager hired a private company to remove its newpapers from the Lavender Creek ravine. A delivery person had illegally dumped the papers in early December. Romero students immediately contacted the Villager and made them aware of the situation. Thank you Bloor West Villager and TrashBusters. The improvement of the creek requires this type of cooperation. |
Land Ownership Determined!
February 3rd, 2003 |
Hydro |
Ministry of Transportation |
| Ownership of the heavily polluted Lavender Creek ravine, near Glen Scarlett Road, has finally been officially determined. As we suspected, based on the research of creek expert Dick Watts, there are two main owners. The Ontario Realty Corporation (formerly Ontario Hydro) owns the northern half of the ravine, adjacent to the walking path. The south bank of the ravine is owned by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. This section is in particularly rough shape. Ministry staff are investigating this matter, and ensure that appropriate action will be taken regarding any illegal dumping and site clean-up. This is a key step in the restoration of the creek and its surrounding lands. To view site maps, click here.. |
Romero Students Recognized in Toronto Star and York Guardian Newspapers
January 13th, 2003 |
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Today, the efforts of Archbishop Romero students and teachers to restore Lavender Creek is recognized in print by two well read newspapers. Joe Fiorito comes through and makes Archbishop Romero front-page news in the Toronto Star. See the whole story here! Archbishop Romero's story also hits the York Guardian! Read the story here! It is a proud day for us all as our efforts are further realized. This publicity will hopefully raise concern in the general public, and inspire more citizens to get involved in conserving our environment. |
Toronto Star Columnist Tours Lavender Creek
December 13th, 2002 |
Toronto Star columnist, Joe Fiorito, and Romero students at Lavender Creek. |
Geomatics students were quite pleased to give Toronto Star columnist, Joe Fiorito, a guided tour of Lavender Creek on Friday, December 13, 2002. Mr. Fiorito listened attentively as students expressed their concerns about Lavender Creek’s water quality problems. He witnessed suspicious substances emanating from sewer outfalls along the channelized section of the creek. He was shocked by the condition of the creek as students walked him through the tonnes of garbage that have been illegally dumped on the south bank of the ravine. We look forward to reading his upcoming report in the GTA section of the paper. |
City of Toronto Tests Lavender Creek
December 11th, 2002 |
| In response to the letters of concerned students and staff, representatives from the Works and Emergency Services of the City of Toronto conducted a series of water analysis tests today on Lavender Creek. Students from the Geomatics class went along to observe the process. The city tested the Biological Oxygen Demand, the Chemical Oxygen Demand, the total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, performed 6 to 7 metal tests, tested for Phenols (toxic organics), PCBs and determined the pH and chlorine levels. The results of these tests will give us a clear understanding of the water quality of Lavender Creek, and help us with our long term goals for the creek. The results should be ready soon.
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Member from the Works and Emergency Services Department samples Lavender's water. |
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