At the May 25th APA meeting, the following motion was put forward:
“To spend between $4500 and $6750 on large stones to complete the stone wall on the NW side of the playground, in order to stop further erosion.”
Unfortunately, Helen Routh, who was not at the meeting, has most of the history and spending on the stones that have been placed to date, as well as the reason the APA needs to fund it. It was suggested that in the interest of time (This motion will be voted on at the June 22 meeting), she use the Allenbeat to provide parents with the relevant information to make an informed vote. Helen’s summary from the Allenbeat is below.
The story behind the stones
Some time ago (2005) the APA began a partnership with the TDSB in order to try controlling the erosion from the hills onto the playground with a combination of stone barriers and plantings of trees, shrubs and perennials.
This has been a long process, constructed over several years, but the stone barrier is almost finished. The last portion to be completed is the North-West corner of the yard.
Many Allenby families have asked why we are financially supporting this construction instead of the TDSB. The short answer is that the TDSB will fund most of the construction needed, but the timing would be longer and in some cases they would not put the barrier stones in place at all and the erosion problem would continue, for this reason the APA has been funding some additions to the ongoing project(s).
Over time the APA has put aside funding to add additional stones and trees to the hills, sometimes with short notice. Every year plantings have gone ahead and are now showing success in helping to stabilize the hills (thanks to Alex Vilde and all the students and parent volunteers!). Now we can finish this job and concentrate on other aspects of the playground that are of concern to everybody, but were delayed due to the continuing erosion problem.
Before the start of school in September 2011 the TDSB plans to:
- rehab the concrete on the walkway at the top of the hill, north of the flag pole (the TDSB designer is trying to re-route run-off water so it does not flow down the hill – contributing to erosion).
- place at least two rows of armour stone wrapped around the NW corner – replacing the damaged flagstones. Note: they do not have the engineered stone on hand to match the south side; those stones were a “one-shot” design deal in 2008.
- complete the last gap for barrier stones which includes the space from the front stairs to the new NW corner; this is the piece the APA is being asked to fund. The TDSB Area Engineer has promised to measure the space for an exact stone count this week, there should be 10 – 20 new stones installed at $450 per stone…then the barrier stones will be complete!
Helen will be at the final APA meeting on June 22 to answer any questions people may have on this project.