WEEKEND PLANNER
Looks like we have finally championed spring.
The weekend forecast isn’t calling for all sunshine as was promised earlier this week but Environment Canada is calling for daytime highs above 20 C and nightly lows not below 12. Clouds will be moving in Saturday with a 70 per cent chance of rain on Sunday. Gardening, hiking and a community food drive are some of the things you can do this weekend in the Hamilton area.
IN THE GARDEN
The Stinson neighbourhood is opening its community garden in Carter Park on Sunday, May 24, at 1 p.m. The original hope to have individual plot rentals this season are cancelled due to COVID-19, but the communal garden model to aid in food security for the community is still underway. Residents who would like to volunteer with the community garden or to donate to run the garden must first join the mailing list by emailing stinsoncommunitygarden@gmail.com.
IN THE CITY
As Hamilton slowly reopens, here are some of the most recent guidelines and information from the City of Hamilton: Hamilton’s municipal golf courses are now open. King’s Forest opened Wednesday, and Chedoke is opening this weekend (Beddoe on Friday and Martin on Saturday). Visit hamilton.ca/ golf.
City facility closures and programming is extended to May 29, and the province’s emergency declaration is extended to June 2. Hamilton is hoping to share a plan to slowly and safely reopen facilities and resume regular services and operations with the general public on May 27.
On-street parking and parking in municipal lots is available for businesses and employees. Payment is once again required, and will be enforced, at all parking meters and lots. Monthly permits from March or April that were not renewed will be honoured in municipal lots through May, but permits for June 1 need to be renewed. The first 30 minutes at parking meters will be free until further notice to help support local businesses and restaurants participating in curbside pickup.
Dog parks in Hamilton are open and Burlington dog parks were expected to be open by end of day Friday. Remember pooch and people etiquette and follow the public health direction and provincial orders to physically distance a minimum of six feet.
The boat launch at Bayfront Park is open.
Backyard gardeners will be happy to note that Hamilton’s leaf and yard waste resumes a regular collection schedule as of Monday. The temporary bi-weekly pickup ends Saturday. Niagara also removed limits on leaf and yard waste starting Monday. Go ahead and dig, cut and clip.
IN THE PARK
Conservation Halton was to open five of its seven parks — Crawford Lake, Hilton
Falls, Rattlesnake Point, Mount Nemo and Kelso Summit — to the public for hiking and biking on Friday by reserved visits only. Robert Edmondson, Mountsberg and the rest of Kelso are expected to open in the coming weeks. Most, if not all, of the trails will be available, but keep in mind facilities such as washrooms, outhouses and visitor centres will remain closed. Hamilton Conservation Authority opened most of its parks and trails last weekend.
FOOD DRIVE
Hamilton’s St. Matthew’s House van will be at St. John’s Evangelist Church (The Rock on Locke), 320 Charlton Ave. W., on Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m., to receive food and monetary donations for its Food Drive Supporting Vulnerable Seniors. Some requested items include; soups, pasta and sauce, water, peanut butter, cereal, oatmeal, coffee, Ensure, Boost, Depends, toilet paper and even kitchen items like can openers and pots. Cash and credit card donations will be welcome.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator in Hamilton. Reach her via email: jmoore@thespec.com.