Eastern Ravine & Beaches
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GETTING THERE AND BACK Follow ravine footpaths and a beach This Plant was once known as “the palace of purity” You can reach the suggested starting point on public boardwalk. Experience a Great Lake because of its beautiful brass and marble interior. transit, by taking the 64 MAIN bus south from Main DISCOVERY WALKS shoreline, gardens and wooded Street Station on the BLOOR/DANFORTH subway ❹LAKE and get off at Kingston Road. The 501 QUEEN ravine parklands. Lake Ontario is part of the largest freshwater system streetcar east from Queen Station on the YONGE in the world. Look for evidence of the lake’s energies subway also provides service into the area including the in the continually shifting beach alignment and the suggested tour end point. THE ROUTE shoreline protection methods. Wind and water are Although you can begin this Discovery Walk at any slowly eroding the nearby Scarborough Bluffs. Sand EASTERNEASTERN point along the route, a good starting point is the deposits from the bluffs have helped form the Beaches northern end of the enchanting Glen Stewart Ravine waterfront and Toronto Islands. The lakeshore and RAVINERAVINE && (see top of map). Follow this ravine down to the Lake nearby Glen Stewart Ravine are important migratory Ontario shore and explore the Eastern Beaches and its stopovers for a significant boardwalk. Along the way, you’ll visit an Art Deco BEACHESBEACHES water treatment plant and a charming Beaches neighbourhood. One In A Series of Self-Guided Walks ❶GLEN STEWART RAVINE Photo by Gera Dillon Gera by Photo Visit the 8.5-hectare ravine and park, Gardener’s House, Kew Gardens which contains many native plants, including many species rare in FOR MORE INFO Toronto. Ames Creek, which flows For more information on Discovery Walks, including through the ravine, is one of the few brochures, please call Parks and Recreation remaining natural streams in the city. Information at (416) 392-1111. For more Archaeologists have found artifacts near information on area history, inquire at the Beaches here that date from about 4000 years ago. Branch of the Toronto Public Library. Today, municipal by-laws protect this ravine and the City is restoring much of the vegetation. number of Discovery Walks is a program of self-guided walks birds as well as ❷ Neighbourhood that links City ravines, parks, gardens, beaches and BEACHES NEIGHBOURHOOD tree-lined street monarch butterflies. neighbourhoods. Other Discovery Walks include: During the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Beaches Year-round, the shoreline is home to Central Ravines, Belt Line and Gardens; Don Valley was one of the most popular beach resorts in the waterfowl such as ducks, gulls and geese. Hills and Dales; Western Ravines and Beaches; region with several amusement parks. Exploring the Northern Ravines and Gardens; and Garrison Creek. tree-lined streets today, the architecture, ❺ASHBRIDGE’S BAY PARK atmosphere and attitude of this community still This park was created in the 1970s by filling in the WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP resemble a small lakeside resort town. lake with excavated material from development sites. The City of Toronto would like to thank the The force of Lake Ontario’s waves is evident where Toronto Public Library, Toronto District School Beaches Park ❸BOARDWALK large boulders protect the constructed shoreline. Board, Toronto Field Naturalists, Toronto Transit Boardwalks have existed along this shoreline Commission, Heritage Toronto, Royal Ontario since 1850. Today’s Boardwalk connects beaches, ❄ Enjoy this Discovery Walk Museum, Toronto Public Health and the lakeside parks and open spaces. The Boardwalk at different times of the year. Community History Project for their support. leads to the City’s architecturally impressive Art You’ll be surprised how it changes Deco style R.C. Harris Water Filtration Plant. from season to season. b Discovery Walks name and logo are official marks of the City of Toronto. # POINTS OF INTEREST “More than half the body’s muscles are ❶ Glen Stewart Ravine designed for walking; it is a natural movement ❷ Beaches Neighbourhood that is virtually injury-free.” ❸ 1 ACCESSIBILITY: The 3.5km (approximate) beach boardwalk Boardwalk Active Living Canada and S E section of this walk has level access, a hard-paved surface T Toronto Public Health U and accessible park washrooms. ❹ Lake MIN 25 ❺ Ashbridge’s Bay Park 2 # 10 MINUTES 2 15 MINUTES 15 15 MINUTES TES MINU ES 20 INUT 3 10 M 3 8 minutes walking distance (approximate) 1 3 4 /2km (approximate) THE HIKERS’ CODE REMEMBER • Stay on the trails • All walks involve LEGEND • Do not disturb wildlife stairs and/or slopes • Keep dogs on a leash Discovery Walk Path Flower Garden • Walking surfaces vary • Be cautious when and can include hard 3 5 M S Connecting/Side Trails Caution crossing roads I NUTE pavement, woodchips, when crossing • Leave flowers and plants Information Signs grass, limestones fines, for others to enjoy This walk is approximately 9.1km long Views sand and/or bare earth Washrooms • Wear suitable clothing with a walking time of about 3 hours Public Library • Steps and paths are not 5 Telephone • Walk with a someone — (minimum). If you walk this route Public Transit it’s safer and more fun lighted and not cleared at a brisk pace, you will burn Stairs • Be aware of other of ice and snow # Suggested starting approximately 600 calories! Steep Incline/Decline and/or ending points trail users. • Use at your own risk N Please note that park washrooms are open from May to October..