Aug 1, 2006 - The Liberal
by Serena Willoughby
She wanted to create a magical place for her children to grow up in
and Oak Ridges has become that place.
Gloria Marsh, chairperson of the York Region Environmental Alliance, truly does walk the talk of environmentalism.
She moved to Oak Ridges in 1977 with her former husband and their girls, Tanya and Angela. They built a passive solar home, which means it doesn't have solar panels, but is designed to take advantage of the sun to help heat it during winter. In summer it uses shade from surrounding deciduous trees to keep it cool. The design also uses strategic placement of windows to maximize the sun's heat.
The living room and kitchen are on the top floor with bedrooms on the main floor, which keeps sleeping areas cooler in the summer.
Ms Marsh is a landscape designer and she specializes in creating what she calls habitats.
Gloria's outdoor spaces reflect memories of her childhood. The back is a wild meadow, reminiscent of a field she hid in as a child which was abuzz with birds and insects. The front is shady and cool, evocative of her grandfather's garden. This area provides a habitat for the creatures that inspires the house's name, Toadhall.
As children, Ms Marsh's daughters loved to explore in what they called the magical forest around their home.
“Oak Ridges was a really nice place to bring up children. In those days, there were still coyote, fox and deer here,” she said.
These days Ms Marsh can be found hunting for mushrooms or hiking in the area, especially during summer.
While her involvement with the Environmental Alliance and her work as a landscaper keep her busy, she also runs a bed and breakfast out of Toadhall. She found once her children moved out, she had too much space, so she began hosting visitors.
As a true environmentalist, she serves only local and organic food, prepared with an international flair. She believes it is important to support local farmers and wants to see government financial support for helping farmers convert to organic practices.
She serves tapas (Spanish snacks) in the afternoon upon request and for breakfast there's the possibility of chestnut flour pecan waffles or vegetarian strudel with tomato coulis.
Throughout her home are signs she's conscious of her impact on the planet, from the pesticide-free lawn to bricks in her toilet tank that help displace water so each flush uses less.
Toadhall will be featured in a book by travel writer Alistair Sawday, entitled Green Places to Stay.
“Because of my age, I went through the whole ‘hippy' thing, but there is a social conscience that comes out of it. I'm just so aware of how our environment has deteriorated that you feel you must do something,” she said.
Her social consciousness led to her chaining herself to a tree in 1999 to protest a road being built north of Stouffville Road. She was subsequently arrested. These days, she takes more of an advocacy role, working with the Environmental Alliance to enact pesticide and anti-idling bylaws and garbage and recycling awareness.
Currently, the group is preparing a questionnaire for municipal leaders highlighting its position on environmental issues.
Ms Marsh also writes the alliance's newsletter, Green News, focusing on issues such as the Big Pipe, garbage incineration and tips on how to make your home more sustainable.
When she can tear herself away from Toadhall, she loves the thrill of world travel and has enjoyed trips to India, Portugal, Italy and Japan. Most of her trips involved hiking in remote areas and she's been to towns and villages relatively untouched by tourism. With a passion for photography and architecture, she loved experiencing the old world charm of Umbria, Italy where ancient Roman roads are incorporated into new structures and streets.
In 1994, she went on an Outward Bound canoe trip with a large group and made friends she still corresponds with today.
With each trip she tried to gain more of a spiritual understanding, particularly in India.
“In India, when you see people living in the streets, but with such dignity, it made me feel spiritually impoverished,” she said.
At 62, Ms Marsh shows no signs of slowing down and most weeknights attends meetings for all the groups to which she belongs.
“I've always had a lot of energy but, I'll tell you, I don't watch TV,” she said with a laugh.
For more information about the Toadhall Bed and Breakfast, go to www.225toadhall.ca
For more information about Marsh-Mode Landscape Design "Gardens with Soul" go to www.marsh-mode.ca.