Urban Plans for Saint John and Beyond

There are more of us

2012-02-08T19:17:00.001-04:00

Our friends at Statistics Canada have released the 2011 census population figures. Saint John had 70,063 people calling our city home in 2011, that’s up 3.0% from 2006. Over the same period, the Census Metropolitan Area increased in population by 4.4%, pushed up by particularly strong numbers in Quispamsis, which had a population 17,886 (up 17.4% from 2006).

The Province also showed population growth, with 2.9% more New Brunswickers in 2011 than 2006.

Peel Plaza Brickwork

2012-02-08T14:37:00.001-04:00

Brick is starting to cover the walls at the new police station.

‘Put a Cap on Youth Homelessness!’

2012-02-07T14:15:00.001-04:00

It’s Toque Tuesday. You can buy a Raising the Roof hat at Brunswick Square, McAllister Place and Market Square for $10. The funds are split between local and national youth homelessness charities.

Ambulance Centre

2012-02-05T20:16:00.001-04:00

Siding is up on some of the walls. Photo update:

Pavilion Cup Pond Hockey Tournament

2012-02-05T19:52:00.001-04:00

The annual Tim Horton’s Pavilion Cup event at Rockwood Park had great weather this year. Photos below:

Habitat Build

2012-02-04T16:21:00.001-04:00

I haven’t posted about this Habitat for Humanity Saint John build yet. Located on Omega Drive in East SJ, it looks like work will continue later in the year.

I’ve done a few Habitat deconstruction, but never a build. I will have to get volunteering with them again this year.c

NB Museum repairs

2012-02-04T16:13:00.001-04:00

Photo:

American Iron and Metal

2012-02-04T16:12:00.001-04:00

The west side facility construction appears to be progressing well:

Saint John Free School

2012-01-31T09:44:00.001-04:00

The Saint John Free School will be holding another day of free educational seminars on February 18, 2012.

Details: http://www.sjfreeschool.ca/

From the site:

“Come! Enjoy DIY workshops, academic discussions and physical activities as well as adult supervised children’s activities!”

Municipal Plan passed–Zoning bylaw next step

2012-01-31T09:38:00.001-04:00

So the Municipal Plan has been adopted by the City of Saint John. To ensure the plan is fruitful, an updated zoning bylaw is needed.

Design professional and Planning Advisory Committee member Morgan Lanigan has written a thoughtful piece about this issue for Spacing Atlantic: http://spacingatlantic.ca/2012/01/31/city-and-country-a-tale-of-zoning-regulations/

New Uptown Blog

2012-01-31T09:36:00.001-04:00

Living In Uptown Saint John is a new blog by Heritage Realtor Bob McVicar. Bob’s an engaged citizen and will surely have some interesting things to say.

Link: http://liveuptownsj.blogspot.com/

New City Market Tenant

2012-01-30T18:42:00.001-04:00

I see in tonight’s City Council agenda that there is going to be talk about a potential new tenant for the City Market.

I’ll be interested to hear who this is.

The agenda refers to the space as Stall E.

Three Sisters Condos

2012-01-28T18:25:00.001-04:00

Now that people live here, it’s getting creepy taking photos.

Either way, Harbourfront Condos photo update:

Cruise terminal progress

2012-01-28T18:24:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

Peel Plaza and Justice complex photos

2012-01-28T18:20:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

KV construction

2012-01-26T17:07:00.001-04:00

I was in KV today and saw that the site work adjacent the Marr Road Irving is pretty substantial.

Photo below:

Police station progress: windows

2012-01-26T17:06:00.001-04:00

I heard from a lot of sources that last winter was challenging for construction. With the weather this year, I wouldn’t be surprised if projects were ahead of schedule.

The police station now has a lot of windows installed, which might have been a bit more tricky had snow, wind and cold temperatures been in greater supply.

Photo below:

Ambulance Centre

2012-01-21T17:49:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

Brunswick Square renovations

2012-01-20T11:03:00.001-04:00

The exterior upgrades at Brunswick Square weren’t stopped by the snow today.

Photo:

St. Hubert Express

2012-01-19T18:38:00.001-04:00

The St. Hubert Express is hiring as many as 40 people to work in their new east side location.

Soon enough we’ll be able to sup upon another rotisserie chicken option.

Ambulance Centre–Photo update

2012-01-19T18:30:00.001-04:00

American Iron & Metal

2012-01-17T10:28:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

Peel Plaza and Justice Complex

2012-01-17T10:26:00.001-04:00

Parking garage photo update:

Justice Complex photo update:

Police and Justice Complex

2012-01-13T19:14:00.001-04:00

Photo updates:

Timepiece repairs

2012-01-13T15:18:00.001-04:00

The Hooper timepiece that is normally on display in front of Market Square is currently inside being repaired. These two guys are waiting for a new paint job.

Cruise Terminal Progress

2012-01-06T13:35:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

Follow up on commuter toll

2012-01-05T16:53:00.001-04:00

In a theoretical sense I support the idea of user pay systems for a lot of services. I think certain tolls are justified. If a new highway is constructed to shorten travel time, why not toll it if the older slower route is still available? If there was a bridge that is used to transport goods to market but not by local residents then tolling it might make sense.

However, the idea of user pays is predicated on the premise that the user is getting a service for what they pay for. So if we were to charge commuters a toll to come into the city centre (pretending that this wouldn’t lower the amount of people coming), they would need to be getting something for it.

If I paid $8 to come into SJ, I would expect that to be spent on servicing me. So you don’t get to use that money to address poor governance decision. The commuter should not be paying for excessive municipal buildings, or for pension plan deficits.

Commuter tolls unreasonable

2012-01-05T16:34:00.001-04:00

A lot of my family and friends live around suburban Saint John and suburban Greater Saint John (Rothesay, Quispamsis, Hampton and so on).

While they might enjoy the benefits of living by a city - coming into SJ for work (in some cases), for the occasional junior hockey game (which they pay to see, and whose municipalities help pay facility costs for), or to visit local businesses, they should not receive some other tax for the privilege.

I live uptown. In fact, I’m an uptown evangelist, and encourage folks to enjoy what living in the city centre can offer. Still I recognize that folks live where they live for any number of reasons: neighbourhood features, housing costs, perceived savings.

Making Saint John more viable isn’t going to happen by trying to punish those who don’t live here.

If a business staffing local professionals is located in Saint John and staffed by mostly KV residents, there isn’t all that much stopping the business for locating in KV. While being in the city might have some perks, if you start making the cost of working in the city too high, workers and owners will reconsider if the benefits outweigh the costs.

Our city needs to think about what would make living in the city, particularly the city’s urban communities, more attractive. This will help increase quality of life and tax revenue.

Carrots people. Not sticks.

Here’s a CBC article about the commuter toll idea discussed by some folks around City Hall: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/story/2012/01/04/nb-saint-john-road-tolls-534.html

=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~

An alternative way of charging a commuter fee is by raising the cost of parking. As someone who supports the idea of a strong transit system (admitting that I do drive myself in a private car too often), at first blush I can get behind higher parking fees. Higher parking fees could change driving behaviour. Maybe people would drive less if it cost more than the alternatives. Either that or they would drive to different places.

There are certain people who don’t like to shop uptown because of the parking situation. The cost of parking and the convenience are already cited by some as a reason to stay away from uptown.

I find that it’s often a further walk from a parking stall at McAllister Place mall or the grocery store than it is from available parking spots to the shops and services I visit in the city centre. But I get it, people don’t like searching for spots and having to parallel park or back into spots. I think throwing additional costs on top of these concerns will only dissuade some from doing business in the city centre.

As for longer term parking, I expect prices will go up when supply changes. If those who own surface lots see economic reasons to develop them with other uses, then parking rates will go up on their own. If the City seriously wanted to up parking rates, they should have thought about that when deciding to flood that market with a lot of spots by way of the Peel Plaza parking garage.

Again, the city will be better off if more people choose to be downtown for living, and doing business. This isn’t going to happen if locating downtown is too hard or costly.

Carrots people. Not sticks.

Troubling transit situation

2012-01-04T16:51:00.001-04:00

With transit already struggling, it might be easy to see why they mightn’t like what I have to say in this post.

I know that running a bus service must be expensive, with multi-million dollar buildings to support and so forth. It seems a shame to me that bus service has been cut in this city, reducing the liveability of Saint John.

Worse than that though, the Province is cutting transit pass subsidies for methadone patients. This is a bad move, that should be reversed. The savings are minimal and could lead to significant social costs.

However, if the Province does go ahead with this regressive move, the Transit Commissions (or city halls) in Saint John, Fredericton and Moncton need to step up and offer bus passes for free.

The incremental cost of an additional passenger on a bus is minuscule. The cost of people being given free bus fare would only be the cost of a buss pas card (minimal), and the incremental fuel and wear and tear costs associated with a single human on a 20 tonne bus.

I bet it is a mistake to assume that the transit authorities will lose out on a lot of revenues if they did give out these passes; one has to wonder if everyone who uses the transit subsidy would continue to ride the bus if it were an out of pocket expense. If no, then this won’t even represent lost income.

Transit may not be profitable in NB scale cities. I get that. Still, if no one provides this transit option, the ride may not be taken and the important treatment may be missed.

I don’t claim to know a thing about opioid addictions or methadone treatment, but I can’t believe we as a society, would be willing to let people seeking treatment fall through the cracks because of the cost of a bus ride.

Moosehead expansion / renos

2012-01-02T12:48:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

Fireworks from Loyalist Burial ground

2012-01-01T15:00:00.001-04:00

Next fireworks show, I’ll hope for less rain and bring a better camera and try this location again:

East Side retail development

2011-12-31T15:38:00.001-04:00

St. Hubert Express:

BMO:

Hyundai Dealership:

Leons:

Villa Building

2011-12-31T15:32:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

Behind TD

2011-12-31T15:30:00.001-04:00

I hope this isn’t something lame, like a parking lot for TD staff, but there is a road behind TD Insurance leading to a clearing up on the hill behind.

Photos:

Route One off ramp

2011-12-31T15:16:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

New Ambulance Centre

2011-12-31T15:14:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

Peel Plaza photo updates

2011-12-31T15:03:00.001-04:00

Parking garage:

Police station:

Justice Complex–Final Update of the year

2011-12-31T14:50:00.001-04:00

Final Justice Complex photo update of 2011:

From Harbour Station parking lot:

From Brunswick Square parking garage:

Play SJ

2011-12-30T15:12:00.001-04:00

The City of Saint John is working on its 10-15 year plan for recreation. I see there is now a website up with information and a questionnaire: http://www.saintjohn.ca/en/home/cityservices/developmentgrowth/communityplanning/playsj/default.aspx

Court House and Police Station at night

2011-12-23T10:27:00.001-04:00

With the lights on, you can start making our some interior details of the justice building. Photos below:

Justice Complex

2011-12-22T13:17:00.003-04:00

Lots of glass has been installed over the last week.

Photo update:

Ambulance building

2011-12-22T13:17:00.001-04:00

Photo update, December 22, 2011:

City Road Ambulance Center

2011-12-17T11:04:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

Peel Plaza Parking

2011-12-17T11:03:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

Picture taken from Station Street.

Loch Lomond Villa–New Building

2011-12-17T11:01:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

Justice Complex

2011-12-16T20:53:00.001-04:00

Photo update from today:

Potash Exploration: economic fertilizer

2011-12-12T13:42:00.001-04:00

It’s hard to ignore the economic impact of potash development in the Sussex region, where a lot of the fertilizer component is mined, and by extension in Saint John, where potash makes up a large percentage of dry bulk.

As such, it’s exciting news that Atlantic Potash Corp. will be exploring the Millstream potash deposit to determine if there’s an economic rational for developing a mine in the area.

Port land development

2011-12-12T11:17:00.001-04:00

I think this is part of the American Iron and Metal development on the west side port lands.

One more angle of the Villa construction

2011-12-10T16:15:00.001-04:00

I couldn’t help but snap another photo of the Loch Lomond Villa’s new construction. That yellow insulation draws me in like a moth.

The above picture is from Rockwood Park.

Port pile driving

2011-12-10T16:14:00.001-04:00

Pile driving on the edge of the harbour must be an interesting job. Here are a few photos of the work being done to prepare the site of the new cruise terminal.

Mile One Interchange progress

2011-12-10T16:11:00.001-04:00

I took another walk along the edge of Rockwood Park and took these photos of the Mile One interchange highway project.

Queen Street Apartments

2011-12-10T16:10:00.001-04:00

The last time I posted about these apartments they were partially framed. I didn’t keep track of them, and they are now standing and at least partially rented. It is good to see new construction in the South End, so I wanted to post this photo update.

The Zen Investor

2011-12-10T11:51:00.001-04:00

I came across an interesting website, The Zen Investor, a real estate investment website with a fair amount of Saint John content.

Paramount Theatre

2011-12-10T11:45:00.001-04:00

I feel I’ve neglected the issue of the Paramount Theatre restoration initiative on this blog. This isn’t an intentional slight to the hard work of those involved. I hope they can succeed in ensuring there is adequate cultural performance space in the community.

You read more about the initiative at the Uptown Saint John Paramount project website. I snapped this photo of the theatre earlier today.

Brunswick Square renovations continue

2011-12-10T11:38:00.001-04:00

The exterior of Brunswick Square is being updated with a brick facade. Work continues on the Germain Street face of the building, as pictured below:

NB Museum repairs

2011-12-10T11:36:00.001-04:00

The NB Museum is fenced off for repairs at its historic Douglas Avenue location. It looks like they are working on the front steps.

Moosehead expansion

2011-12-10T11:33:00.001-04:00

Moosehead’s brewery in west Saint John is undergoing a modernization/expansion. Here’s a shot of what it looks like from Main Street West.

Community Loan Fund receives funding

2011-12-09T19:17:00.001-04:00

The Saint John Community Loan Fund, an organization that works to help community members build assets and financial skills, has received federal funding for a skills program for women entrepreneurs.

The Federal funding announcement is for $219,126 over the next 3 years.

Villa–more photos

2011-12-09T19:03:00.001-04:00

I took these shots from the other side of the Villa construction earlier this evening:

City Road construction

2011-12-09T14:48:00.001-04:00

I’ve heard that this building under construction on City Road is an ambulance centre.

Peel Plaza photo update

2011-12-09T14:35:00.001-04:00

Peel Plaza underground connection between Justice Complex and Police Station:

Peel Plaza parking garage:

Water Street renovations

2011-12-08T21:28:00.001-04:00

I saw this ground floor space being renovated on Water Street. Don’t know what it is, but I’ll keep my eyes open.

Harbourfront Condos

2011-12-08T21:26:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

Peel Plaza police station

2011-12-08T21:24:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

Villa–closer up

2011-12-08T13:19:00.001-04:00

I swung by Jean Street to snap a photo of the Villa expansion. Here’s what it looks like from closer up. Brick work is already starting:

Villa

2011-12-08T11:17:00.001-04:00

I hadn’t noticed how far along construction was on the new Loch Lomond Villa building until yesterday when I was looking over east Saint John from Wright Street. Here’s a photo of the building from afar:

Local governance action plan

2011-12-06T13:20:00.001-04:00

The Province has launched a new plan to attempt to improve local government services and efficiency. The Action Plan for a new Local Governance System in New Brunswick is designed to increase regional cooperation, without forcing amalgamation.

The full document is here:

http://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/lg-gl/pdf/ActionPlanLocalGovernance.pdf

New taxi rules

2011-12-06T13:13:00.001-04:00

As public transit is depleted in Saint John, City Council has stepped up to ensure that a private transportation method is improved. The According to the CBC the City is planning on improving a number of aspects of the cab industry, including adding meters to cabs, replacing the “zone” system currently in place.

Peel Plaza public space

2011-12-05T15:05:00.001-04:00

The public space component of Peel Plaza is the topic of a public information session on December 14, 2011 (6:30 pm at the Arts Centre).

Link:

http://www.saintjohn.ca/en/home/newsroom/eventcalendar/eventdetails.aspx?ec=bW9kZT0zJmV2ZW50PTE1MSZkdD0xNC8xMi8yMDExJmNhdElEPTA_

Municipal Plan public hearing

2011-12-05T15:04:00.001-04:00

New Monday night (December 12, 2011), Common Council will be holding a public hearing regarding the proposed Municipal Plan.

Link: http://www.saintjohn.ca/en/home/newsroom/eventcalendar/eventdetails.aspx?ec=bW9kZT0zJmV2ZW50PTE0OSZkdD0xMi8xMi8yMDExJmNhdElEPTA_

Youth homelessness awareness

2011-12-03T14:50:00.001-04:00

The problem with free public wi-fi is that you end up watching things like this Saint John youth homelessness awareness video produced by Hemmings House pictures in public.

This video made me pretty emotional, it really saddens me that youth are faced with the burden of homelessness.

Fortunately for Saint John, there are people from a variety of organizations stepping up to address this need. Read more about the Saint John Youth Homelessness Steering Committee, and plans for a shelter for homeless youth:

http://sjhomelessness.wordpress.com/

First Nations housing

2011-12-03T14:17:00.001-04:00

If you’ve been disturbed to discover the living conditions that many of Canada’s First Nations communities deal with, please read this CBC article: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/12/02/f-first-nations-housing.html

The article draws from a number of sources including academics and home renovation celebrity Mike Holmes in exploring solutions to the housing problems in many First Nations reserves.

Holmes has put his money/effort where is mouth is, and partnered with a community to build quality housing within a First Nation’s reserve.

Another community has used metal framed shipping contains as a base structure for longer lasting frame for housing.

American Iron & Metal

2011-12-03T14:04:00.001-04:00

I was the bridge today, so I checked out some of the goings on around the port. Remembering some of the complications related to the plans of American Iron & Metal to develop its Saint John operations, I snapped this photo of their property:

Harbourfront Residences Condos

2011-12-03T13:49:00.001-04:00

More progress is evident every day. Construction in this climate must be frustrating, with all sorts of weather delays along with the typical construction delays. For condo purchasers, the Harbourfront developer, it must be exciting to see this modern waterfront building almost done.

New cruise terminal positive sign for city

2011-12-03T13:39:00.001-04:00

The local economy had had some bad news lately with layoffs at two major employers. Still, we do have some growth sectors. The cruise industry has seen growth in recent years, and a second cruise terminal is being constructed (photo below). While seasonal tourism can’t be the foundation of a healthy Saint John economy, it’s an important element of our diversifying economy.

Back when Saint John was a “blue-collar” industrial town, Irving Oil and Moosehead announcing layoffs would have been more disappointing. At least now, we can still see cranes on the skyline.

Tree people occupying King Square

2011-12-03T13:31:00.001-04:00

One of my favourite signs of Christmas approaching: the Christmas tree vendors have set up in King Square.

Photo:

More photographs of Abbey St. Andrew

2011-12-03T11:20:00.001-04:00

At this point it’s probably clear to readers that I’m a big fan of mixed income housing and a little obsessed with Abbey St. Andrew. I had a chance to do a walk through of one of the two level townhouse units and have posted the photos for your enjoyment.

Ground Level

Kitchen and dining areas:

Kitchen and living areas:

Living area and stairs to second level:

Powder room:

First level from stairs:

Second level:

Bedroom:

Bathroom:

Other parts of the Abbey:

Entrance:

Lobby:

Elevator and secure entrance:

Courtyard:

Police station

2011-12-02T17:37:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

New Cruise Terminal

2011-12-02T17:36:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

Harbourfront Condos

2011-12-02T17:35:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

Abbey St. Andrew video

2011-12-01T20:18:00.001-04:00

The Human Development Council posted a video with two interviews of residents of the Abbey St. Andrew mixed-income apartment building. http://sjhdc.ca/2011/11/29/the-abbey-a-real-sense-of-community-here/

Wi-Fi in city buildings

2011-11-29T16:25:00.001-04:00

I’ve been using SaintJohnPublicWiFi for a few days and was wondering where it was coming from. According to the City’s website, there is now Wi-Fi at Shoppes of City Hall, City of Saint John arenas, the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, and the Saint John City Market.

North End Apartments

2011-11-27T17:53:00.001-04:00

This building on Bentley Street (just down from Douglas Avenue) has an amazing view. You’ll see part of the uptown skyline in the bottom right corner of the file.

Another nice looking new apartment building in the north end is Harrison Place on Main Street near the Scotiabank. Two photos below:

Where are people parking?

2011-11-27T13:13:00.001-04:00

I’m not going to pretend this is the most revolutionary observation, or that it’s the first critique of Peel Plaza that I’ve launched.

But someone asked me a question that struck me as pretty valid. And I don’t know the answer.

Where are the folks that will use the new Peel Plaza garage currently parking? Also, will they all want to move into a higher priced (presumably) garage?

I wonder if they’ll be enough people to fill the garage. Also, I wonder if the lots they leave empty will be developed with anything in the sort term, or if the owners will just be making less money.

East Side Retail

2011-11-27T13:08:00.001-04:00

Leon’s new building:

St. Hubert:

New BMO:

New Hyundai dealership:

NBCC’s new building

2011-11-27T13:05:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

Justice Complex and Peel Plaza

2011-11-27T13:02:00.001-04:00

Photo update. Taken November 26, 2011:

Mixed income seniors housing

2011-11-21T14:37:00.001-04:00

Good news for the Crescent Valley neighbourhood. A 60 units apartment building, containing an equal mix of subsidized and market housing, will be developed in the area. The apartments will be targeted at seniors with accessibility features in many units.

The Province’s press release has more details: http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/social_development/news/news_release.2011.11.1261.html

Harbourfront photo update

2011-11-19T16:16:00.001-04:00

Harbourfront condos from Prince William Street:

Peel Plaza and Justice Complex photo update extravaganza

2011-11-19T16:04:00.001-04:00

Justice complex from the Mercantile Center’s parking deck.

Justice Complex from near the Vito’s parking lot.

Justice complex from the Brunswick Square parking garage.

There’s lots of yellow insulation on the Peel Plaza police station.

Rear of police station:

The rounded section of the police station that faces the court house.

Peel Plaza parking garage progress:

The Saint John Arts Centre`s front steps are pretty close to the construction:

Are the utilities along Wellington Row being buried, or am I reading the wrong message from these orange boxes?

Glass condo problems in T.

2011-11-14T16:59:00.001-04:00

With condos becoming a more prevalent means of home ownership in southern New Brunswick it is wise to look at markets where condos are commonplace and where there are models to learn from.

The CBC has an article about maintenance issues and other problems associated with “floor to ceiling” glass walled condos. While there can be degrees of quality in any type of construction, the lifespan and efficiency issues of this condo type may stop developers in our neck of the woods from trying this type of construction too often.

The article does give some credit to these types of high rises – they do afford home buyers impressive views.

East Side Retail

2011-11-12T18:42:00.001-04:00

New car dealership off of Westmorland Road:

New BMO and St. Hubert at the corner of Westmorland Road and McAllister Drive:

Bayside Drive Tim Horton’s

2011-11-12T18:40:00.001-04:00

Looks almost ready. Photo below:

Mile One Highway Exit

2011-11-12T18:39:00.001-04:00

New photos of the highway work taken from Rockwood Park.

Peel Plaza Parking

2011-11-08T18:53:00.001-04:00

Photo update:

Coast Guard site development

2011-11-08T16:12:00.001-04:00

It was on the news today that a new developer will be sought to develop the Coast Guard site on the Saint John waterfront. I will be interested to see who may step up to take on the task and what vision they will have for the site. While the last developers had an ambitious plan, another developer may be able to execute something that benefits the area over the next few years.

Abbey St. Andrew tour

2011-11-07T21:13:00.001-04:00

I had a chance to tour Abbey St. Andrew this afternoon. Here are a few pictures of the development.

(If after seeing the photos, you want to rent here, more info is on kijiji here and here.)

Rear courtyard:

Views from terrace of one of the units currently for rent:

Living area in an upper floor apartment. There’s in floor heating in each unit, and tile floors throughout/

Kitchen area with modern appliances:

Hallway of an upper floor demonstrating the size of the building:

Parking garage. Spaces will be rented to the general market and tenants:

Bird of prey

2011-11-07T21:07:00.001-04:00

I went for a hike around Blueberry Hill yesterday and saw this bad boy fly above:

Here’s what Herderson Brook looks like now that culverts have been removed:

Shamrock Park bike trails

2011-10-30T17:06:00.001-03:00

I’m pleased I checked out the Shamrock Park bike trails yesterday instead of waiting until this cold snowy day. Here are few pictures of the impressive and challenging trail.

Hodo Cookies

2011-10-30T17:00:00.001-03:00

These cookies from Hodo Cookies & Chocolate Shop are among my favourite fresh baked snacks.