Christie Pits dump now closed

Residents bring trash to add to pile at Christie Pits.

View from Christie Pits dump July 5/09.

By Kris Scheuer
When I visited Christie Pits temporary garbage dump today, the first thing I noticed was the sour stench.
It comes at you in waves, but got especially potent just yards away from the outdoor rink that holds thousands upon thousands of bags of waste dumped here legally since June 25.
The city announced this site will be officially closed at 7 p.m. as it’s at capacity. Around 4:30 p.m. there was still a steady flow of residents pulling up on Crawford Ave, the west border of this park, to dump more trash before the gates are closed.
All photos by Kris Scheuer.

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Ted Reeve Arena strike impact?

Is it open or not?

By Kris Scheuer
I got an e-mail July 5 from a guy in New York who is planning to be in Toronto later this month for an event at Ted Reeve Arena.
He wants to know if the arena itself is open due to the city strike. As it’s a Sunday night, I did my best to search out an answer for him.
It is one of the temporary dump sites, but I don’t believe that affects this indoor arena as it is my understanding all the dump sites are outdoors.
The city’s website indicates this arena is run by an independent board appointed by the city. I put in a call at 416-694-6893 to the arena at 175 Main St. at Gerrard. I got the voicemail, but there was not mention of the strike.
I will of course call Monday morning to speak directly to staff at the arena or ask a city spokesperson.
Let me know if you know the status of Ted Reeve Arena. Is it open during the strike? You can leave me a comment or click on contact me and send me an e-mail. Thanks.

Christie Pits dump closes

The local trash site is at capacity, city to spray to ward off pests

By Kris Scheuer
Day 14 of the Toronto strike and by 7 p.m. today the temporary neighbourhood dump will close at Christie Pits.
I am going to check it out today and see what’s happening.
The city has been blocked from spraying pesticides at this location, by picketers, according to a July 4 press release.
On Friday, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. David McKeown ordered the city to remove standing water from the trash that is sitting there rotting in the summer heat and to spray to keep animals and insects at bay.
The city was blocked form carrying out that order and was granted an injunction by the Ontario Superior Court yesterday.
Read the city’s complete July 4 statement here.
Friends of Christie Pits Park has its own website and has been gathering names for a petition for some weeks now to stop the park from being used as a dump site in the first place.
Meanwhile no garbage is being removed from this dump site, even though it will be closed, until the strike is over.
For a full list of all the city-authorized mini dumps during the strike click here.