LOWER BARTLEY SMITH GREENWAY (Langstaff Road Wato Steeles Avenue West) l This k walk follows the Upper West Don River in the City of southwards from Langstaff Park on Langstaff Road (east of Keele Street) to Steeles Avenue West (west of Dufferin Street). The route follows the southern portion of the Bartley Smith Greenway (BSG), an as-yet incomplete trail system through the centre of Vaughan from Teston Road down to Steeles Avenue West. Two main environments are Just west of the parking lot, 2 Note that the start of this walk is at a fenced seasonal sports experienced in this walk. From Langstaff in a separate tree-covered park, field (Langstaff Park) that may be formally closed during the Road to Highway 7, the trail encompasses is a pioneer cemetery dating from winter months. Langstaff EcoPark, a regenerating the founding of the German Episcopal natural area along the West Don river St. Stephen’s Church in 1833. The Public Transit: Getting there: From Downsview subway station, take TTC bus valley flanked on either side by industrial memorial from 1965 incorporates a routes 107 B/C/D/F (Keele North). For 107 C/D/F, dismount on Keele Street at development. Here the trail surface is number of the original tombstones. Langstaff Road and walk east along Langstaff Road (sidewalk on north side) for 400 generally packed crushed limestone, with The park is fenced off and entrance is metres to Planchet Road. Cross at the traffic lights and walk along the soft some soft gravel patches and stretches of available only from Langstaff Road. shoulder to Langstaff Park parking lot. For 107 B (which goes west along Langstaff asphalt. South of Glen Shields Avenue, the [There is a soft shoulder but no Road to Keele Street), dismount at Planchet Road. Alternatively, use YRT bus 22A (York route passes through Marita Payne Park, sidewalk along Langstaff Road.] Return University - Newmarket via King City and Oak Ridges), dismount on Keele Street at one of Vaughan’s most beautiful city to the parking lot to access the BSG Langstaff Road, and proceed as above. parks set in an established residential trail via the short spur at the south-west *Public transit routes and schedules are subject to change. Please check with provider. TTC Information: www.ttc.ca or 416-393-4636. YRT Information: www.yrt.ca or 1-866-668-3978. area. This section is hardpaved corner. To your right is a large stand of throughout. Except for a short stretch Phragmites, which looks spectacular in Parking: Ample parking is available at Langstaff Park. Please note that the near the southern end and one other late summer with it purple seed heads. parking lot may be closed during the winter months. street crossing, this walk is completely However, this is regarded as an invasive Level of Difficulty/Accessibility: Much of the trail is hard-surfaced with only off-road. wetland species. At the T-junction, the minor gradients, however there are a few short steep grades and some soft right fork extends westwards for 250 The starting point is at the gravel patches. Stroller and wheelchair accessible. 1 metres, ending at a gate at Langstaff Langstaff Park sports field Road. Currently there is no public trail Approximate Time: 1.5 to 2 hours. parking lot on the south side of Langstaff immediately north of here. Road west of the CN railway tracks and Distance: 6.5 kilometres. east of Keele Street. There is a seasonal Turn left to continue into portable toilet at this location. If access 3 Langstaff EcoPark. This park Caution: Be aware of cyclists and other trail users at all times. is closed, the walk can be started at point was officially opened in June 1997 Use the trails at your own risk. number four, immediately east of the and is the most significant natural railway tracks. regeneration area in the Upper West 1 Current as of July 2018 2 Don subwatershed, despite being Adjacent to the railway crossing with the river. Along this section of the thickets and into the marsh, then through 4 surrounded by the Langstaff industrial- is a memorial plaque to Attilio trail from late summer to early fall you a porous rock weir into the West Don commercial district. The EcoPark is de Gasperis, patriarch of a well-known will see colourful stands of 1.5-metre River. This design serves to maximize the result of a visionary partnership Vaughan land development family, who high golden Woodland Sunflowers and water quality improvements and diversify between and Region used to farm in this area and whose brilliant mauve Ironweeds and of course wetland habitat. The much greater Conservation (TRCA), the City of valley lands are now part of Langstaff ubiquitous goldenrods. All these flowers volumes of water generated during Vaughan, members of the Vaughan EcoPark. The trail descends southwards produce nectar to attract butterflies, so major rain storms are diverted into the Chamber of Commerce, notably into the valley, crosses the river and there’s a good chance of seeing Sulphur deciduous swamp, designed to hold Quebecor World, and the enters a broad floodplain where the and Monarch butterflies, or even Giant 10 million litres of water over a 24-hour Vaughan Rotary Club. Over 10,000 Vaughan Chamber of Commerce held Swallowtails, the largest butterfly found period. Here the sediments settle out trees, shrubs and aquatic plants an annual tree planting event for several in . and cleaner water seeps back into the have been planted and over 100 years. These trees are now two to four watercourse. The swamp is expected to bird boxes installed in the river valley metres in height. Natural infiltration of Turn right at the fork in the fill with water about four times a year. since 1992. These initiatives have 6 willow trees is now also very evident. trail 150 metres beyond the dramatically enhanced rolling upland In the spring, the many nesting boxes water retention ponds; the left fork The various features of the and lowland meadow habitats, and 7 installed in this area are mostly occupied leads out of the park to Audia Court Keffer Marsh complex can created new wetlands to help stabilize by tree swallows. From here, the trail (another convenient parking location). be observed from three bridges on the watercourse and improve water You are now entering Keffer Marsh, the trail and an observation platform quality downstream. Depending on the climbs briefly into the upland meadow an engineered wetland complex that immediately south of the marsh. season and time of day, it is possible to adjacent to the CN line, bringing some is the highlight of Langstaff EcoPark. A beautiful High Bush Cranberry catch sight of coyotes, foxes, beavers, of the surrounding industrial landscape This two-hectare project, named for specimen, with bright red berries in mink, snakes, turtles, frogs and many into the line of sight, before descending an early settler who farmed this part of fall and winter, is located on the bank species of birds. During late spring through a Staghorn Sumac patch to Vaughan Township in the early 1800s, just to the right of the second bridge. through fall the meadows are also alive cross the West Don River again. Several comprises the marsh itself and a larger A number of interpretive signs have with butterflies, bees, dragonflies and interpretive signs have been installed in other insects, and full of colour from this stretch. deciduous swamp, believed to be the been installed along this section. At wildflowers and flowering shrubs. largest constructed area of its kind in the junction beyond the third bridge, About 150 metres beyond the Ontario. Water is supplied from the take the left-hand fork to look at the The course of the West Don River 5 is dominated by large, mature trees, bridge, the trail passes between east through Westminster Creek, a water control structure. From this particularly Black Willows, Black two stormwater retention ponds (Audia tributary of the West Don River that was point, retrace your steps, then stop at Walnuts and Sugar Maples which help Ponds North & South). These can hold diverted from its original southwards the observation deck for a view over block out the view of the industrial millions of litres of water and provide course in the 1970s to accommodate the marsh. Proceed up the incline and buildings on the surrounding table treatment for stormwater runoff from local development. Westminster Creek cross Rivermede Road with caution. lands. The four-storey birdhouse over 90 hectares of adjacent industrial used to flow into the main branch of the The river flows under the road through a situated at 100 metres from the trail land to the north. These ponds have West Don River south of Steeles Avenue box culvert. junction is intended for Purple Martins, become fully naturalized, and now in G. Ross Lord Park. The residual South of Rivermede Road, the which nest in colonies. contain extensive beds of cattails and stream, locally called Fisherville Creek, 8 Phragmites, both of which are vigorous still exists south of Highway 407, and valley narrows and for 200 The trail soon arcs back towards Langstaff invaders. The wetlands provide largely serves to drain stormwater ponds metres the trail passes through riparian Road. Cross the CN tracks with care additional water filtration as well as collecting runoff from the highway and shrubs and trees such as Black Walnut and immediately turn right. This line is habitat for waterfowl and other wetland surrounding area. and Black Willow before climbing into also used by the Go Transit service to bird species such as Red-winged an upland meadow adjacent to North Barrie, which was reinstated in 2008. Blackbirds. A weir on the far side of Base flow at Keffer Marsh is directed Rivermede Road. The trail then the larger pond to the right connects into a settling pond, through cattail unexpectedly enters a dense mature 3 4 upland mixed forest remnant of mostly in the 1984 Olympics. Dufferin Street and Steeles Avenue close to Steeles Avenue was planted in maple, walnut trees and pine trees, The floodplain of the West Don now West intersection with restaurants, the 1990s and is becoming a healthy- where for about 100 metres meadow occupied by the park was reserved as public transit and other amenities, looking successional forest of oak, ash flowers give way to woodland flowers open space following the devastation turn left on Glen Shields Avenue, right and maple trees. Signs facing Steeles including the invasive Garlic Mustard. of Hurricane Hazel in 1954, while the on Dufferin Street and walk south for Avenue West announce West Don The sudden change in air temperature surrounding lands were still mostly 600 metres. Valley Open Space and the Bartley on entering this forest patch on a hot rural. The park was constructed in Smith Greenway. Turn right (west) However, the trail continues on sunny day is striking. its present form when the area was 12 towards Dufferin Street (). developed for residential purposes in the east side of Dufferin Street. Beyond the forest, you can bear Cross at the Glen Shields Avenue lights This walk ends at the site of the early 1980s. It offers typical city 13 left at the fork to leave the trail for a park amenities and features, such and pick up the trail entrance just south Fishervillle Cemetry, located refreshment break at the small plaza at as grassy areas, sports fields and of the CN railway bridge. Although it is up a short embankment 60 metres Highway 7 and North Rivermede Road. children’s playgrounds. However the close to major streets, this is a quiet, from the trail end on Steeles Avenue, park is well-endowed with mature heavily forested and little used stretch which served Fisherville Presbyterian Continue by taking the trail shade trees, including Black Willow, of the Greenway. However, this section Church from 1832. The community 9 that descends southwards into Weeping Willow, poplar, Black Walnut can be hazardous during wet weather; of Fisherville, named for Jacob Fisher, the river valley, noting the large stands and maple, and wildlife remains much of the trail, which crosses the the first settler in this area in 1797, of Staghorn Sumac on the left. The abundant. One local resident, whose river twice, is in the valley floor and grew up around the Dufferin/Steeles route soon passes under Highway 7 garden backs onto the park, has subject to flooding. The meadow area intersection. alongside the river. Directly after the observed over 140 species of birds in underpass, the embankments seen on Marita Payne Park, as well as deer, Trail Users’ Guide either side of the river mark the position beaver, otter, mink, fox and even • Users of these trail guides are responsible for their own safety and well being. of a previous bridge over the West Don • Be aware of cyclists and other trail users at all times. opossum. You will encounter five along the old alignment of Centre Street • Walk with others. side trails as you go through the park, before Highway 407 was constructed. • Keep your children in sight at all times. leading to local residential streets. • Trails may involve stairs and slopes. At the top of the embankment to the left, The main path curves to the left round • Trails may not be lit or cleared of ice and snow. a 50-metre section of the old roadway Marita Payne Pond, and later skirts • Stay on the trails or mown areas; do not leave them at any time. is now used for gravel storage, with • Cross roads only at intersections, lights or crosswalks. to the left of a baseball diamond. The access to Centre Street. The trail curves • Keep your pet on a leash and clean-up after it. pond is a haven for ducks and geese to the right as it continues between the • Do not pick, damage, or plant any vegetation. throughout the year; it is actually • Beware of poison ivy: “Leaflets of three, let it be.” river and Highway 407. Just beyond the a stormwater retention pond, last • Respect and do not feed wildlife. 407 underpass, bear right at the trail dredged to remove silt in the fall of • Do not light fires. fork. The left trail is private and leads • Leave nothing behind. 2011. A portable toilet is accessible along the hydro corridor for 800 metres • Washrooms operate seasonally. in the park area, however it is only to Centre Street. The main trail at this • Avoid the trails during and after a storm; water levels can rise suddenly. available seasonally. • Wear footwear for pavement, loose or broken surfaces and bare earth. point passes through a broad lowland • Wear clothing to suit the weather and protect against insects. meadow, but the valley narrows as it Close to Dufferin Street, the • Carry drinking water. 11 enters the Glen Shields residential area. main trail does an abrupt right Learn more about the Don River watershed at www.trca.ca turn and crosses the bridge over the After passing under Glen Shields 10 river to exit the park at Glen Shields Avenue, the trail enters Marita Avenue. The culvert under the road Payne Park, named for the Canadian leads to further trails through Glen sprinter who won two silver medals Shields Park to the west. To reach the Prepared by the Don Watershed Regeneration Council & Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 5 6 BARTLEY SMITH GREENWAY WALK W

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Steeles Ave. 427 Lake DON RIVER WATERSHED Ontario F TTC Stop Metres 0125 250 500