Author Archives: michaelld2003

Westmount Park – Please do not “feed” the squirrels

From Wikipedia:

“Squirrels’ diets consist primarily of a wide variety of plants, including nuts, seeds, conifer cones, fruits, fungi, and green vegetation.”

I noticed this pile of pita bread, left untouched, over a twelve hour period under a tree. I have also seen baguettes, and every other assortment of bread.

This is, unfortunately, a common occurrence early in the mornings – in spite of the City’s Bylaw 257.

For dogs, like ours, that have chronic pancreatitis (and must be strictly monitored as to what they eat) this issue is a very serious, and expensive (in terms of veterinary fees) problem.

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King George Park

King George Park

Many years ago, the trees in Westmount’s parks had their species’ names nailed into the bark.

From the Montreal Gazette, April 14, 1920:

“Alderman Scott, Park Commissioner…said that it had
been decided to place metal tags on the different kinds of
shrubbery in the parks and also signs on trees denoting the
common name as well as the botanical name.”

Over time, vandalism caused the removal of these plaques. I was fortunate to find one, still extant, in King George Park.

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Limestone Facade

Limestone Facade

Limestone facade outside the former Bell Canada telephone exchange building on the corner of Sherbrooke & Metcalfe Streets.

One can see the shells; however, pollution & acid rain are slowly causing the stone to erode.

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Canada Day – Westmount Park

Canada Day - Westmount Park

Camping in the park during Canada Day. I wonder how many of us understand the holiday’s full origins.

From Wikipedia:

“Canada Day (French: Fête du Canada) is the national day of Canada, a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the July 1, 1867, enactment of the British North America Act, 1867 (today called the Constitution Act, 1867), which united three colonies into a single country called The Dominion of Canada within the British Empire.

Originally called Dominion Day (French: Le Jour de la Confédération), the holiday was renamed in 1982, the year the Canada Act was passed. Canada Day observances take place throughout Canada as well as among Canadians internationally.”