Garrison Creek Discovery Walk

GETTING THERE Trace the path of the buried Garrison By 1880, development along the ravine had You can reach the suggested starting point on public Creek Ravine. Explore parklands, polluted the creek. The City buried the creek transit by taking the BLOOR-DANFORTH subway DISCOVERY WALKS traditional neighbourhoods and vibrant in an underground sewer where it flows today. to Christie Station. 121 FRONT-ESPLANADE bus Later, the city gradually filled in sections of and 511 BATHURST streetcar serve the vicinity of main streets. the ravine and demolished or buried the the suggested tour end point near the Lake Ontario bridges. At least two of these original bridges shoreline. remain invisible but intact, buried under THE ROUTE Harbord Street and under Crawford Street. GARRISONGARRISON Although you can begin this Discovery Walk at any point Today, you can find evidence of along the route, a good starting point is Christie Pits Park the creek’s former CREEKCREEK ❶ (see top of map), across the street from the alignment by Christie Subway Station. The route leads you One In A Series of Self-Guided Walks along the now-buried Garrison Creek valley from the park down to Lake Ontario. You’ll visit other parks including Trinity Bellwoods ❷ and one of Toronto’s premier historical sites, Trinity Bellwoods Park Fort York ❸. FOR MORE INFO Lieutenant Governor John Graves For more information on Discovery Walks, including Simcoe founded modern urban brochures, please call Parks and Recreation Information Toronto (i.e. Town of York), when he at (416) 392-1111. For more information on area established Fort York in 1793. At that time, history, inquire at the College/Shaw or Sanderson Garrison Creek flowed in a large deep ravine Branches of the Toronto Public Library. with several tributaries, from north of St. Clair following the Fort York Avenue to Lake Ontario. The creek had sparkling Garrison Creek Discovery Walks is a program of self-guided walks that clear water and was famous for its salmon fishing. Discovery Walk as it meanders links City ravines, parks, gardens, beaches and The British built Fort York at the mouth of the along curving neighbourhood streets and through a neighbourhoods. Other Discovery Walks include: creek to guard against possible American series of interconnected parks and open spaces. Don Valley Hills and Dales; Eastern Ravine and Beaches; attempts to invade Canada. Western Ravines and Beaches; Northern Ravines & Community groups and the City of Toronto are Gardens; and Central Ravines, Beltline and Gardens. As the new town of York grew, breweries attempting to raise awareness of the existence of the were built on the creek to take advantage buried creek and its tributaries and to honour it as an WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP of the clean water. Soon, other important public amenity. Civic improvements to The City of Toronto would like to thank the entrepreneurs developed land beside parks, roads, sidewalks and boulevards found along the Toronto Public Library, Toronto District School the creek, as abattoirs, market creek’s original route are planned. As well, extensions of Board, Toronto Field Naturalists, Toronto Transit Trinity Bellwoods Park Photo by Gera Dillon gardens, Trinity College and this walking route are planned to the north and west. Commission, Heritage Toronto, Community residential country estates. History Project, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto Dozens of bridges were built ❄ Enjoy this Discovery Walk Public Health and the Garrison Creek Community over the ravine. at different times of the year. Group for their support. You’ll be surprised how it changes from season to season. b Discovery Walks name and logo are official marks of the City of Toronto. THE HIKERS’ CODE REMEMBER • Stay on the trails • All walks involve • Do not disturb wildlife stairs and/or slopes • Keep dogs on a leash • Walking surfaces vary • Be cautious when and can include hard 1 N crossing roads pavement, woodchips, • Leave flowers and plants grass, limestones fines, for others to enjoy sand and/or bare earth • Wear suitable clothing # • Walk with someone — • Steps and paths are not it’s safer and more fun lighted and not cleared • Be aware of other of ice and snow trail users. • Use at your own risk 25 MINUTES “Walking relieves stress and tension.” Active Living Canada and Toronto Public Health POINTS OF INTEREST ❶ Christie Pits Park ACCESSIBILITY: The 2.5km (approximate) ❷ Trinity Bellwoods Park section of this walk south from Dundas Street West, has level access, a hard-paved surface ❸ Fort York and accessible park washrooms. 30 M IN U T E S 2 3 This walk is approximately 4km long with 5 M a walking time of about 1.5 hours INUTES (minimum). If you walk this route at a brisk pace, you will burn approximately 300 carlories! 3 LEGEND Discovery Walk Path Caution Connecting/Side Trails when crossing # Information Signs Views Washrooms Public Library Telephone Public Transit Stairs Historical Creek Alignment Steep Incline/Decline # Suggested starting 30 minutes walking distance Flower Garden and/or ending points (approximate) 1km (approximate) Please note that park washrooms are open from May to October..

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