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TORONTO -- Toronto Council learned Monday volunteers involved in developing a series of trails in the city are recruiting the public to help them decorate and name one.
Council also heard about preparations for the opening of the city's swimming pool this weekend.
David Core, a leader of Hike Toronto, said volunteers have been clearing a trail on city-owned property near Toronto Union Cemetery and are seeking people to design and create fairy gardens or gnome parks along it.
Those interested in doing so may learn more through Hike Toronto's Facebook page or website at hiketoronto.com.
Plans call for the trail to be opened on July 1 in conjunction with the city's Independence Day celebration.
The group also hopes to extend a bridge across the chasm across from the cemetery on the south side of county Road 42 and create a small park, with picnic tables and benches, there.
Core said several names for the proposed park were suggested through social media, and community members are invited to vote, through the website, on their favorite among them.
The choices are: Asimina Park, inspired by the scientific name for the pawpaw fruit that grows there and the Native American name for its tree; Westwood Park, because it is situated in a wooded area on the west side of town; Middlewoods Park, which describes the position of the woods in that area; Overlook Park, in recognition of the scenic views if offers; Tall Timber Park, also inspired by the trees there; and Indian Rock Park, for a geographic feature found there.
With support from Mayor John Parker, volunteers with Hike Toronto have been focused on establishing links between paved roads near the city-operated cemetery and existing trails through city property in the Fairview Heights area established by residents there.
They also hope eventually to establish a trail on land atop Mount Nebo donated by Calabrese Property Management, which has been pursuing a housing development in that area.
In other business, 4th Ward Councilman and Recreation Chair Greg Herrick said many volunteers have aided city crews in preparing the city's swimming pool and its grounds for opening this weekend.
"Those people have been working hard to get it ready, and it looks good, too," he said.
The pool's hours are from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for adults and 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. (unless a private pool party has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m.) Monday through Sunday.
The splash pad will be open from 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens, with children 5 and under admitted free.
Council also heard from Bill Lucas, chairman of the city's planning and zoning commission, who said he's received several calls this year with proposals for commercial storage units in areas zoned R1 residential.
He noted some years ago, council ruled against storage units on any lot that has been zoned residential.
But Lucas said the planning and zoning commission has authorized the owners of the Last Resort Riverfront Bar & Grill to establish storage units on their property.
Lucas said the request was granted on the condition the units be set back at least 25 feet from North River Avenue and be lighted and fenced, with an entrance from the restaurant's driveway.
He also advised council of plans by Sigma Technologies to install fiberoptic cables in areas of the city, including underground, for Comcast.
City officials agreed to look into right of way and easement issues involved with such action.
On Monday, Parker announced he has appointed Linda Burkey as city services director.
He said he believes Burkey is the first woman to hold the job, which involves administrative oversight of city services such as water, sewer, sanitation and Toronto Union Cemetery.
The role doesn't include oversight of the city's police, fire and recreation departments.
Toronto's city clerk for more than 20 years, Burkey was appointed assistant city services director last year following the departure of Mike Bauman and also assumed responsibilities of the head city services director after Tim Miller resigned from the job.
Council also opened a bid of $325,000 from Agri-Sludge Inc. of Shreve, Ohio, to clean the city's sewage sludge lagoon, a task Parker said must be performed every seven to 10 years.
The bid was accepted Friday by the city's board of control, which includes the mayor, city services director and Safety Director William Scalley.