Marineland re-visited

First let me apologize for my lacking of posting thus far. I’ve been more occupied with my bicycle blog (bicycleSTC).

So it’s rather unfortunate that I have to have my first post in months be yet again about Marineland -- the marine park that is about 20km from where I live.

The Cove star Ric O’Barry was in town today to protest Marineland and the recent horrible findings.

He has called it the ‘worst park’ in progressive countries.

Reading comments on local newspapers as well as listening to people phone into radio shows, the feelings on Marineland are quite mixed locally.

For the most part many are disgusted and will not return or won’t go (if they never have before).
There are those who still defend the park, usually citing two things…

1. Findings from the organization that Marineland pays to be a member of. They have found nothing wrong with the park.
2. Jobs. It is true Marineland hires many local students during the summer, but is this even remotely a good enough reason to remain open?

Although it will never happen under current ownership, the best solution to Marineland is shutting down…though not for good.
Revamp the park minus the animals. Make it into a large theme park with plenty of rides, bigger and better, have picnic areas. The region lacks water parks. Niagara Falls use to have, which I remember going to as a child (now it’s an outlet mall).
Then there was another waterpark at the other end of the region, between St. Catharines & Grimsby, another park I recall visiting on a number of occasions. Last I saw of this place it was just empty.

You are still employing those young students, perhaps even more.

Feeling guilty for past support?

The past couple of nights I’ve been watching the Free Willy’s (which for those who support more oil tankers in BC -- watch the second Free Willy).

It got me thinking of when I was a kid about some where during the summer I would always head to with my Dad…Marineland (Niagara Falls). I found out later on that my Dad was actually always against Marineland.

I will admit I did rather enjoy my time going there -- mostly though because my Dad and I did quite a bit together and out trips to Niagara Falls in general were always fun. We took many trips to Niagara Falls to walk around.

If I fast forward to the past decade, I have strongly disliked Marineland. Too many animals have died but mostly inadequate facilities.

The following pictures are from the early to mid 90’s.

If you look in the back, that small space is where the whales spend most of their day. The ‘preforming’ section of the tank is too small for their holding area.

Three whales in a small area.

Dolphins didn’t have it any better. Where the two “Hogwart coloured” backboards for a basketball nets are, is where the Dolphins are kept while not preforming. Quite sad seeing the bars raised and lowered -- having them enter their prison.

Wide open to the public are hundreds of deer.

I couldn’t find any pictures -- but I’ll always remember are lighter coloured bear with dried blood stains. Most likely from a fight with another bear.

To add insult to injury, the city of Niagara Falls sold a parcel of land across from Marineland where people use to protest…TO Marineland. What does that mean? No more protests outside Marineland without ‘trespassing’.

So should I feel guilty for going to Marineland as a child -- but being utterly against them now?

National Drive-thru day?

So I found out this morning on the radio that it is national drive-thru day. I suppose a day to celebrate polluting and laziness.

I rarely see people with disabilities or children go through a drive-thru -- it is nearly 99.9% always a single occupant vehicle.

While picking up some groceries this morning, I took the following picture;

Chaos caused by people blocking one of the main driveways in and out of the mall.

There is some good and bad news with regards to that picture…

Good news - This drive-thru was rather quiet this morning (yes, that picture is considered quiet).

Bad news - The usual line-up is far longer.
Side note to bad news - The radio personality I found this out from, spent far more time talking about national drive-thru day than he did bike to work day/week/month.

The Garbage City

My city is considered “The Garden City”. Regrettably for as long as I can remember -- the more appropriate name is “The Garbage City”.

I will do a future post on garbage on city streets and sidewalks, however today I will focus on a small little wooded area that is popular for young people to drink at nights and for people dumping garbage.

This is just one area. There are plenty of parks and secluded wooded areas in similar condition.
You should also note that this is mid-summer after a mild and snowless winter. Garbage is worse after a harsh winter buries everything.

I clean the garbage around my house daily…After one week it is almost a bag worth of garbage.

Age doesn’t seem to matter. Older people will dump larger items in wooded areas (though in credit to most -- they usually dump in dumpsters); while younger people will toss or drop garbage where ever they see fit.

Sunday enjoyment

Second Sunday now where I’ve decided to head on over to the park near my house to enjoy some ‘nature time’ -- get away from the constant sound of cars passing by.

Turned out quite nice this morning -- seeing as rain was forecasted.