“Pine Sanctuary”: by Marc Fornes / THEVERYMANY, installed in 2017, commissioned by the City of Mississauga Public Art Collection and partly funded under the Canada 150 program. It's built from 3,161 unique laser-cut 2mm aluminum stripes in four shades of green plus blue, black, and white; it stands about 26 feet high and is 20 by 20, conceived as “a tree unlike other trees” that visitors walk through, and it won a 2021 Mississauga Urban Design Award of Merit.
Once in a while we come across a place that is truly special. We go back, then go back again. We take pride in showing it off, as if we were tour guides. I have several places that have earned that reputation.
In Mississauga, I have maybe half a dozen. The Riverwood Conservancy is one such place.
My first visit to the area came when I was ten, when my parents took us to Erindale Park, just downstream from Riverwood. I fell in love with the valley. I came back here time and again. Then, around the year 2000, the men's group at Erin Mills United Church had a breakfast meeting at Chappell House. I fell in love with the place.
Riverwood in Bloom
I connected with the president of the Garden Council, Carol — I'm sorry, I can't remember her last name — to see if they could use some of my cards as fundraisers. She accepted.
That was my way of contributing to a cause through my photography. I wasn't blessed with vast amounts of cash to donate, but I could make a difference with my photography. My theory: I can donate $500 worth of cards, and they could be sold for $2,500, or used as quality, unique gifts for their big donors. I call it "my multiplier effect." One such example: I held a photo show and sale at Gilda's Club in Toronto. I donated $1,500 worth of framed prints and cards, and the show and sale resulted in over $4,000 for the club. See, I didn't have the resources to make a cash donation, but I multiplied my effort in a unique way.
Riverwood in Winter
Interestingly, Phillip Fourie discovered those cards and asked me to be one of the photographers for his new magazine, launching in April 2004: "The Mississauga Quarterly." Phillip has been instrumental in bringing me out of a cocoon, or comfort zone, I built for myself. We have since become the best of friends, and not many weeks go by without a visit for his famous cups of coffee. I had the privilege of working on several assignments with Phillip, and was rewarded with the very first front cover. The stories about our adventures deserve their own post. Maybe someday.
Riverwood in B&W
As fortune would have it, and the master plan of my universe would have it, those cards have led to one of the most enduring friendships of my life and some of the most fun; plus, they too led me to hitherto unknown places, and by extension more.
Entering the Riverwood universe led me, by extension, to meet Phillip Fourie, Maggie Bras, Gilda's Club, and now Ken Choi and Dan Bodanis, which also led me to LUSO and Indwell. That, in turn, led to the hockey alumni, Paul Patskou, and my first published book, "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives."
This is, by far, one of the most gratifying chains of events on my journey, and the highlights all came from a men's group breakfast more than a quarter of a century ago.
Riverwood in Autumn
Since then, I've volunteered, donating photography services at large functions and later in a fundraising capacity, which led to a stint on the Board of Directors of the relatively new organization called the Riverwood Conservancy. I found that my contribution on the board didn't feel like it made enough difference; there were others far more qualified. After six years I withdrew — but the pull is still strong.
I am not made to enjoy board work, but periodic committee work suits me just fine. Just don't ask me to take notes or handle money.
What you see here is a sampling of the beauty I see in Riverwood. These photos were taken at public events, so I didn't need permission to post the people photographed. The images of others are not for sale.
Please note: This is neither an official nor sanctioned work; it is part of my story, and the photography opportunities within this marvelous place.
Anytime you want to visit and need a walking companion, let me know, and let me share this "hidden gem" right in the heart of Mississauga. Next up will be Bradley House, and Rattray Marsh and Port Credit. Then there will be stops at the RBG in Burlington, Colonel Sam Smith Park, Toronto Islands and High Park.
The People in Riverwood
