LOST RIVERS LOOP (Moore Ave., Milkmans WaLane, Mount Pleasant, St. l Clair k loop) Experience a walk along routes of three buried waterways, all hidden from public view decades ago in the interest of progress. Enjoy the natural serenity of living ponds on the former site of ’s largest brick works, right in the heart of the city.

Public Transit: Getting there; Saturday only 28A TTC Bus from Davisville S ubway station. Free daily Evergreen shuttle bus from Broadview Subway For over 100 years, this the metal plate are some of the Lost station. 1 unique property was home to Rivers of the Don Watershed; The Getting home; Take the 28A TTC Bus back to Davisville Subway Station or return to the . The site large Exploring the Lower Don map Broadview Subway station via the Evergreen shuttle bus. was perfect for brick making, with a shows where you are in relation to the *Public transit routes and schedules are subject to change. Please check with provider. TTC Information: www.ttc.ca or 416-393-4636. Visit www.ebw.evergreen.ca for their shuttle bus schedule. quarry of clay and shale, access to lake. water from Mud Creek, and nearby Walk through the open- Parking: Paid parking available at Evergreen Brick Works. railroads for transportation. In 1989, 2 when brick production ended, the city, air building on your left, called The Pavilions, and out to the Terrace. Food and Washrooms: Available at Evergreen Brick Works. province, conservation authority and private donors purchased the property Until the early-1980s, this large area was an active quarry with a 40 meter Level of Difficulty/Accessibility: The trail varies from gravel, dirt to hard- to protect and restore the lands. The quarry was filled in with excavation (130 foot) deep pit from which brick- surface. There are long steps at Point 12 and a steep slope at Point 15, both making material was excavated. In the of which would be unsuitable for strollers/wheelchairs. Sidewalks through material from Scotia Plaza on and the ponds were created. mid-1980s, the quarry was filled in residential streets take you from 12-15. Travel from the Brick Works to and ten years later, after coming into points 9 through 16 is on mostly flat trails. Evergreen leased a portion of the site and developed plans to revitalize public ownership, was landscaped Approximate Time: Allow 2 ½ hours for the entire walk, but more time to the grounds and existing buildings. and restored to a natural space with visit the Brick Works. Officially reopened in September wetlands, meadows and forested 2010 as Evergreen Brick Works, areas. This is now the Weston Family Quarry Garden and Don Valley Brick Distance: 7.2 kilometres. this location offers many community programs and provides an ideal Works Park. Here you may see great launching pad into the surrounding blue herons, red winged blackbirds, Caution: Be aware of cyclists and other trail users at all times. Use the trails muskrats, turtles, fish, snakes, at your own risk. ravine system. Take a moment to look at the Watershed Wall in the Tiffany foxes and much more. Mud Creek Commons court yard. Carved into continually replenishes the wetlands. Water then trickles slowly out to the 1 Current as of July 2018 2 enroute to Lake . bulrushes and muskrats houses in the the valley. Both creeks In David Balfour Park, 11 ponds. originate near Park. Stand follow the trail north until What is warm, fast and dirty? 3 over the round sewer grate, just below Yellow Creek becomes visible on Stormwater runoff causes On your left are two major 6 the concrete Glen Road bridge. You your left-hand side a short distance pollution and erosion in the Don roadways, the Don Valley hear the roar of Yellow Creek down into the Park. Along this stretch, you watershed. In urban settings, where Parkway and the Bayview Extension. below while you see Castle Frank pass under the elevated bridge of the ground surface is predominantly Stormwater run-off from these roads Brook flowing before you. Castle Pacific Railway. Stay close hard, stormwater heats up, travels into the Don River is a major concern. Frank water eventually enters the Don to the river, following the asphalt path, quickly and gathers debris. These Oil, heavy metals, and salt wash off closer to Bloor, whereas Yellow Creek then cross at a wooden bridge with a three stormwater ponds allow heavy the roads into the river when it rains. water empties near the Bayview/DVP railing (not the first damaged bridge materials to settle out; aquatic plants, Think back to the plantings and storm ramps. For more information, visit the with the stone abutments), turn right such as cattails and duckweed, ponds you just saw adjacent to the Lost Rivers website. to begin the long climb up the the filter, clean and slow the water from Brick Works parking lot. Those ponds street. Steep sections show damaging Mud Creek before it enters the Don are an example of good management Before both the Bayview 9 erosion from heavy rains where lack River. The large rain water cistern to mitigating this type of problem. Extension and the DVP were of groundcover allows soil to wash your left is one of 13 on this site that Plant buffers help absorb some of built, this particular trail was once downhill. collect and slow rain water. Captured the pollutants from parking lots and a road. Park Drive Reservation rain water is used to irrigate the Bayview Ave. Stay on the trail along had very little use after the Baview Between twelve and thirteen gardens. this stretch to avoid the healthy patch Extension opened. Later in the mid thousand years ago, during the of poison ivy. 1960’s, the Crosstown Expressway retreat of the Laurentide Ice Sheet, Exit the Brick Works via 4 was proposed by the City with ice blockage in the St Lawrence valley the metal stairs or the ramp Just after the path rises toward 7 plans to turn this into the Crosstown forced melt water to accumulate on your left up to the . the Bayview Ramp, a little Expressway, just one of a network as a larger Lake , the name This trail follows the route of a former wetland lies to your right. It’s the of proposed expressways that were previously given to the lake we now commuter railway. The Belt Line mouth of a very small creek that flows to make use of the ravine systems know as . Many streams, Railway, built in the early 1890s, through Binscarth Ravine. This is of the City. These plans ended with including Yellow Creek, Castle Frank looped from up along home to a large clump of jewelweed, a the successful Stop the Spadina Brook and Mud Creek flowed directly here, across to the native plant that hummingbirds love. campaign, but the storm sewers to into that cold glacial lake. The water Humber Valley, and back again to At the fork in the path, stay to the drain water from the Allen Expressway was 50m above current Lake Ontario Union Station. Operation ceased right toward Balfour Park. The river and the sub- water levels, encompassing all areas when the railway went bankrupt in should now be on your left-hand side. watershed were built along the south of and St.Clair. 1894. If you go left, you will follow Milkmen’s proposed route. The area you are climbing is near the Lane up into the residential area of shore cliffs of . Walk left (south) when Rosedale. You are now at Mt. Pleasant 5 10 you get to the trail and you Road. Follow the sidewalk Turn right at Avoca Road, at will see a large enclosed dog area to Toronto is laced with buried 12 8 up to the Crescent Road bridge (TTC the top of the climb, and cross your left. This off-lease, fenced area streams, mostly diverted and access here), over Mt. Pleasant, St. Clair Ave East at the lights. View allows dogs to run around without encased in concrete conduits. We call turn right on Wrentham, right on the depth of the ravine below you from damaging surrounding environment. these “lost rivers” because they are Roxborough and left on Mt.Pleasant, the platforms built into the bridge. Dogs unknowingly destroy sensitive hidden from view. Now comes the hugging the shoulder into David wetlands and upset wildlife habitats confusing part. The Spadina Trunk Turn left onto Inglewood Dr. Balfour Park. 13 eg: turtles lay their eggs along the Storm Sewer, built late 1960s, diverts and right onto Moore Park shores, birds make nests among the water from Castle Frank Brook into Avenue several blocks later. 3 4 Cross , Belt Line Pond, on your Lieutenant-Governor’s residence. A 14 16 continue along Moore Avenue left, attracts ducks and other TTC bus to the Rosedale Station stops until the road dips just past Welland bird species. The pond was formed at the far end of the park. Avenue and descend the steep path in the depres-sion between the rail On your left, follow the down into the Moore Park Ravine and line embankment and the edge of the 21 the Beltline Trail. valley slope. Thanks to conservation pathway or stairs down to the groups, the pond has undergone a Don Valley Brick Works and take a As you head back towards moment to marvel at the landscape. 15 series of native species plantings the Brick Works, Mud Creek, and removal of invasive species. The The North Slope Quarry Wall at the once known as Mount Pleasant Brook, trail passes under the Heath Street far end contains geological sediments becomes visible. This section is the footbridge. Fallen trees and eroded and fossils from the last interglacial last fragment of its 11.2 km encased embankments show the destructive period. It is an internationally journey from the Downsview area to forces of nature and civilization. significant geological site. the main branch of the Don River. As it makes its way across the city, Mud Vegetation throughout the 17 Creek drops 115 meters in elevation valley is mixed. Below your feet Trail Users’ Guide (275 feet) from its source point to its in wet areas are horsetail plants that • Users of these trail guides are responsible for their own safety and well being. junction with the Don River. Today, as can be traced back 400 million years • Be aware of cyclists and other trail users at all times. Mud Creek flows through Toronto, it ago. Above you, the invasive Norway • Walk with others. is largely buried underground beneath Maple grows rampantly and shades • Keep your children in sight at all times. • Trails may involve stairs and slopes. industrial lands, suburbs, offices and out the slower-growing trees and • Trails may not be lit or cleared of ice and snow. apartment buildings, a cemetery and shrubs native to this area. The result • Stay on the trails or mown areas; do not leave them at any time. several parks. is lack of variety in tree species and • Cross roads only at intersections, lights or crosswalks. heavy erosion. • Keep your pet on a leash and clean-up after them. The Moore Park Ravine cuts deeply • Do not pick or damage any vegetation. into glacial and interglacial deposits The steep embankments • Beware of Poison Ivy: “Leaflets of three, let it be.” of clay and gravel. Along this stretch, 18 leading up to the CPR tracks • Do not feed the wildlife. various paths access the Beltline Trail are the former shoreline of the ancient • Do not light fires. from surrounding communities. Stay glacial Lake Iroquois mentioned • Leave nothing behind. • Washrooms operate seasonally. on the main trail and follow the signs earlier. Notice that the creek flows • Avoid the trails during and after a storm; water levels can rise suddenly. to the Evergreen Brick Works. under the trail in numerous places • Wear footwear for pavement, loose or broken surfaces and bare earth. along this stretch. • Wear clothing to suit the weather and protect against insects. Mud Creek was identified by Toronto • Carry drinking water. and Region Conservation as a site Under Governors Road Bridge, 19 to showcase best practices for a watch Mud Creek plunge from healthy ravine. In partnership with a large outflow pipe into a deep Learn more about the Don River watershed at www.trca.ca neighbouring communities, the city pool. and the conservation authority, the The hillside to your right is the abandoned brick works are now a 20 site of a major mudslide in living example of stormwater control Prepared by the Don Watershed Regeneration Council & Toronto and Region Conservation Authority combined with an amazing natural 1973 that erased the former pathway area in the heart of Toronto. leading up to Chorley Park. This was the former site of the Ontario

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