Important story on our local environmental heritage
A member of the community and activist for children and the environment, Karyn Klaire Koski
offered to share this important story with Green 13 and all readers of the blog. Enjoy:
Indian Valley and the Lost Creek
At the turn of the century, the intersection of Indian Grove and Indian Valley Crescent (previously called Park Place) was marshland. To prepare it for residences, the City of Toronto used landfill and rubbish, so much, that pockets of Indian Grove; now has houses that have suffered from land collapse. The valley remains prominent, but the ancient creek bed is no longer visible. All that remains is an indication on local terrain maps- where it clearly shows how it drains into, and becomes, part of High Park.
In the 1920's Resident- Professor Elwood S Moore (who first resided at #16 Indian Gr. then built #18 for his second wife Clara), understood the value of respecting the land. This accomplished Geologist, Surveyor, Author and Professor at U of T, fought hard with neighbours about the development of the surrounding land. In this day and time, as a "Society of Friends Member" (quaker religion) he believed in equality, and had a deep reverence to Spirit and Nature.He must have been successful, because the City of Toronto never put in an intended laneway which was to service all the houses on the east side of Indian Valley Crescent. Years later when a delinquent section was discovered bordering his property, a notice of violation was recorded in the public archives. The descendantsof the man who put in this access, to this day, claim they own it, but the City Land Registry Office disagrees. Of course decades had past, only a 5th of the lane was ever put in, and had deteriorated until two flanking families felt they should utilize it, against the permission of the land owner and without a city permit. The tragedy of the asphalt they put in caught the attention of City Officials and violations were executed for damages to a protected site, the Indian Valley and it's Lost Creek.
Today these lands are under review, we are now a generation of Earth Conscience People and with persuasion, I am hopeful tree and fauna will replace this asphalt scab of greed and ignorance.