Sept. 21 - GTA Pipers' Burner and Swap-Meet

[cavendish]

Also thinking about the BBQ idea, most parks have steel or brick charcoal pits scattered throughout the park area (well at least around Brantford along the river they do) and I was thinking with this park close to the water it could be a possibility. I can call Parks and Rec and check into it if it's easier than lugging your grill down here (Brian).
If anyone has any questions feel free to send us a PM or email. We would be happy to answer the best we can, and if your new and want to come that's even better

 

[brdavidson]

Let me know Nick, my grill is a small portable one that sits on a table top so it's not that big. But if there is a charcoal pit there then that's easier

 

[cavendish]

It probably would be easier for you Brian. I have a Weber 22.5" Kettle BBQ but I have no way to bring it with me in the Taurus. I'll call Parks and Rec on Monday and see what our options are. If we can't use a grill then cold salads and goodies will be our sustenance for the day. I'll also check if they have any pavillions or areas with a covered concrete pad and tables. I've never been to this park before so I have no idea what is available and what the rules might be.
I must say, I'm genuinely excited for this and I hope it can become an annual event for pipe enthusiasts.
Are we going to have any games of any kind? IE; holey board, lawn darts, ring toss, dodge ball or basically any games that are summer past times. A couple decks of cards and a cribbage board or two. I could probably bring a holey board and maybe a monkey ball set.

 

[brdavidson]

Uh, pipes and fishing?

 

[pruss]

I was just thinking pipes, food, talking, and then swapping tobacco/pipes/gear... I hear people do a good job pulling pike out of the marina and along the break water. I'm less inclined to bring my rod and gear to the park than I would be to the Islands.
Thanks for checking things out with Parks and Rec, Cavendish. There is a covered area to the east of the pond and parking area, I'm planning on bringing my cook tent along, and a couple of camp chairs, as well as a blanket. I may bring my pooch along too. She likes pipe people, and doesn't get all judgmental around smokers, so long as you rub her belly and let her sniff you in awkward places.
-- Pat

 

[cavendish]

Sounds good to me Pat, just brainstorming is all. There's going to be a few kids there that's why I was thinking of games. I won't be fishing, I would rather socialize and enjoy smoking my pipe all day long lol.

 

[cavendish]

OK guys here's the info I got this morning.
I called Etobicoke P&R and was given a plethora of information. Firstly for groups of 25 or more a permit is required to hold an even in any park in Toronto. I don't think there will be that many of us coming so I continued with my questions. Anyway, Colonel Sam Smith park has a booking for some sort of Haunted Fundraiser and they have their booking set for 650 people. She couldn't tell me where it was in the park since they don't give specific areas when people book or obtain a permit so I asked for a park that was close to Sam Smith.
She suggested another park about 5min west called Marie Curtis Park and they do have charcoal BBQ pits throughout the park. There are no events scheduled for 21 Sept in that park. She also mentioned that after Labour Day they usually remove the pits for seasonal maintenance so they might not be there when we are. I asked about a pavillion and she said there isn't one. Looking at Google maps it shows lots of parking around the boat launch and mature trees for shade. That's about all the info I recieved about this park.
If anyone knows of another park close to our original decision that might fit the bill a little better I would be more than happy to call around for info if need be.

 

[smokeybear]

Brampton? lol lots of parks here. Heartlake conservation, Chingcousy, etc.

 

[cavendish]

I know there's lots of parks in every city, I was trying to stay as close to the original site as possible.
And be honest, you want it in Brampton so you don't have to drive :rofl: JJ man. I don't care where it is as long as we all have fun

 

[smokeybear]

you want it in Brampton so you don't have to drive [:rofl:]

Busted lol

 

[pruss]

I'm good w Marie Curtis. It looks like a lovely park and is actually probably easier for everyone to get to, given proximity to the major highways. I just flipped an email out to you guys with thoughts.
JDto and Shutterbug, flip me a PM with your email addresses and I'll copy you guys on some of the back and forthing re. food and stuff.
Cheers,
-- Pat

 

[pruss]

Pardon the double post but...
PLEASE NOTE THE LOCATION CHANGE - Marie Curtis Park

https://maps.google.ca/maps?q=Marie+Curtis+Park,+Mississauga,+ON&hl=en&sll=49.303974,-84.738438&sspn=6.019296,23.686523&oq=marie+curtis+&t=h&hq=Marie+Curtis+Park,+Mississauga,+ON&z=14
Thanks to Cavendish's sleuthing we have decided to move the burner and meet-up to Marie Curtis Park. Please PM me with your email if you'd like to connect with regards to this event.
Cheers,
-- Pat

 

[cavendish]

Sorry Pat, didn't have much time this morning before work. Thanks for posting the location link.

 

[shutterbug]

The two parks are really close to each other (I live five min away). The parks are so large, what you really want are the tables, and not so much the BBQ pits. The lack of tables is the concern outside of the pavilions. Nonetheless, I'm good with whichever park you decide. I'll shoot a PM to you.
Shutterbug

 

[cavendish]

@shutterbug - cool to have you come along! I'm sure we could find a table chained to a tree for use. Since you live so close do you think you would be able to take a stroll or bike ride through the park to scout out a pavilion or a nice spot to have it? I've looked on Google maps and I don't see one on there. Pat said he has a portable gazebo/tent thing. We all know what those look like. I don'nt have one anymore, I let my brother borrow it and it was destroyed by wind/fire when he was at his birthday beach bash back in July.
I can always scope out other areas if a pavillion is what we're trying to obtain. Pat, what would you say?
Edit: spelling (fat thumbs on small keys)
Sent from my iPhone.

 

[shutterbug]

I know the area very well, as I photograph a lot of events at the park. With Marie Curtis, you will find there are a few entrances, but the best entrance is off of 42nd street, as there is a small parking lot there close to the bridge and close to the lake. As far as pavilions, I'm 99% certain that you cannot smoke in the pavilions, because it is a shared area with lots of tables. However, close to the 42nd street parking lot, there are a lot of park picnic tables and there are a few BBQ pits close to the lake. As I mentioned earlier, the early birds (9-10 AM) usually grab all of the fire pit BBQs, and as such by the time 11:00 rolls around, the only things you can hope for are picnic tables. If you luck out, and get there early, then you can 'camp out there'. If you go further West, Lakeview Park is much nicer, however much more frequented by people, and therefore, usually staked out by the early birds in terms of locations. My suggestion is keep to Marie Curtis, and hope for a BBQ when the first person gets there, and if those are gone, hope to grab two picnic tables not close to the lake.
Shutterbug

 

[cavendish]

Maybe you could be that first person to get there??
I'm sure we're all aware of not smoking under covered structures it would be mice in case it rains. Is that park reall that busy in mid-late Sept?

 

[pruss]

Shutterbug, thanks for all the info. It's great to have you on board. I'll plan to get down to the park early to stake claims on picnic tables and get things started. Will take a gander at locations in advance and come back to the group with a reco via email. Will post another update here once we get the ideal spot in the park picked.
-- Pat

 

[cavendish]

Cool thanks Pat! I was gonna offer for me and Andrew to head up early but waking up for 830 is gonna be tough as it is for me lol. I'm sure this park will be good for us. I followed the trails on google maps and it seems pretty clean with lots of areas forbys to chiose from.

 

[smokeybear]

Cool thanks Pat! I was gonna offer for me and Andrew to head up early

8O When were you going to tell me this lol