Toronto, Ontario
The Switch
From Roxborough Street going east, I made it to Moore Park
Ravine, and then came upon a new switchback at Chorley Park. For years that has been one of my walking
routes, but what's different in the newly renovated Chorley Park is that zigzag
of a trail called a switchback.
Systematically, the city Parks Commission has been making improvements
and completing a makeover during the last two years. I'm noticing it and loving it.
However on my ascent, half-way up the switchback, I asked
the oncoming pedestrian, a woman with her pet dog, what she thought about the
new look/facility, and she replied, "I don't care for it. I mean to say, I like the concept but they
have taken down trees to do it."
She made me think, and I agree trees should not be chain-sawed
down. It could, should, be avoided. But as she spoke, I realized no deforestation
had taken place here. There's no tree
stumps to prove it. As far as I can
recall, the side of the hill, we were standing on, has been barren for decades,
with only a few shrubs here and there.
In fact, young trees have been planted recently. They will add beauty and offer protection
from erosion.
I was not in the mood to disagree. I was just happy to interact with someone,
and that's why I took the initiative. I
was glad to meet someone and I believe the woman was too, even though, from her
end, speaking to a monk was just a consequence.
Earlier on in the day, I met Jivan Mukta, an old
acquaintance with whom I shared some years of ‘monkhood’ in the early
eighties. He has come to the conclusion
that life is negative enough. His motto
is: "I don't want to hear negative."
May the Source be with you!
6 km
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