Tag: hiking

From Marshland To Playland

Last weekend Peter and I went to play in the marsh and it was fun.

Back in 1913 the City of Toronto decided to do something about the waste space where the Don River dumped into Lake Ontario, forming a huge marsh. Over 20 million metric meters of dirt and waste were dumped into the marshland making it a useful area for docking cargo ships. The port lands increased dramatically in usage and value following the opening of the St Lawrence Seaway in 1962. In the 1960’s and 70’s the terminal included rail and truck freight as well.

This area, often called the Cherry Street Spit, has gone through many iterations. Freight delivery service gradually switched to other docks and airports. The lands themselves stood empty for several years. Joggers and bikers often took advantage of the one pathway, but at the end of the trail there was nothing but a polluted river. Until just recently! The island area is being re-naturalized and renamed Ookwemin Minising, an Indigenous name indicating a place of new growth. The only reminder of the old life is a crane which was used to load and unload cargo ships. It has been painted white and heritage-designated as a piece of construction history. It now joins the CN Tower as a landmark on the Toronto Skyline.

Peter and I wanted to see the new space so we took advantage of the newly created East-West Shuttle service. It carries passengers along the lakefront between Bathurst St and Ookwemin Minising with a stop in between at Yonge St. We paid $5 each to travel on a party boat with a jovial captain and comfy wicker seats. The trip took about 15 minutes.

We were glad we had worn comfortable shoes because the new parkland is massive. We explored features of the redeveloped land interweaving with streams of the old Don River. The new trails are endless, running along both sides of Cherry St. We probably saw about half of the area before our energy and time were up. Here are some of the features we encountered:

We walked along the brick boadwalk. Art installations and modern light stands now replace the cargo docks and steel rope holders.

We found several play areas. We watched kids riding on the zip line:

We admired would-be basketball players scoring points from far below the artistic tree of hoops:

We wandered along the trails past Indigenous flags and artifacts, reminding us that we were on the lands of the Anishinaabe.

It was a lovely day. The rain hid and the sun came out. Our personal needs were taken care of with plenty of tables where we could stop to eat our picnic lunch, and modern clean rest rooms too.

It was a day full of surprises. And, when it was time to leave, the returning shuttle was on time. What more could you ask from a trip to the marsh?

Sue

PS If you go, either take the shuttle or ride your bike. This place is meat to be natural so there is no parking in the area. And there is no Tim Horton’s either, so pack a picnic lunch.

Autumn Leaves

Who doesn’t remember Nat King Cole serenading us with that song when we were younger? Now. with fall upon us, it’s a good time to visit the leaves in person. We found a perfect spot last week, only about an hour’s drive from Toronto.

Many folks know the area. Driving there, it’s best to take the Forks of the Credit, a road that meanders east and west along the banks of the Credit River. The colours are magnificent.

At the end of the road the Bellfountain Conservation Area awaits. The park, designed by Charles Mack back in the early 1900’s, was intended to be a feast for the eyes and the mind, a bit of “whimsey in the wilderness.” There is a choice of paths to follow; most of them under 1 kilometer, and all of them picturesque. They might lead you to a Cave of Curiosities with unique stone carvings on the walls.

Or you might come across the suspension bridge, over a river, beside a falls, and unsteady enough to make you reach for the railings.

Another trail wanders through the woods on boardwalks, and passes a lookout where a bronze fox named Lucky surveys the area. He is definitely lucky in his outlook.

The highlight of the park is the fountain, installed in 1914, with a bell on top in houour of the town. It is considered to be one of the oldest operating fountains in Canada.

If you still have time, another unique place to visit in the area is the Alton Mill Arts Centre, just up the road. A room full of old mill equipment tells the story of the building’s origin. Inside the centre you can shop for treasures for sale by local artists and jewellers, and sit down at a coffee bar selling drinks and baked goods. A trip around the outside of the building provides more treasures including sculptures and waterfalls.

In Canada winter is a long season. Enjoy the fall while we still have it.

Sue