GETTING THERE AND BACK TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE. 20 kilometres). From the bridges you get a wonderful You can reach the suggested starting points on view of the river. Imagine the floodwaters which were Discover the gardens, natural caused by Hurricane Hazel in 1954 and rose to 2.5 public transit. Contact the TTC at (416) 393-4636 wetlands, woodland and meadows or visit the TTC Web site www.ttc.ca. Wheel Trans DISCOVERY WALKS metres above the pedestrian trail. Look for beavers, information: (416) 393-4111. of the West valley. turtles and herons. The valley meadows are home to deer, fox and rabbits as well as many songbirds that nest HUMBERHUMBER THE ROUTE in the long grasses and hedgerows. Fall blooming wild This Discovery Walk leads you on a loop through goldenrods and asters thrive in the open valley. the West Humber River valley on a mixture of paved, Interesting stops along the way: the ARBORETUMARBORETUM hard-packed and grass trails. You can start at the Professional Firefighters’ Association 911 Memorial, Humber Arboretum (adjacent to Humber College) or Highway 27 bridge art, native plants biodiversity plot. at the Humberwood Centre. This delightful walk takes && WESTWEST you through ornamental gardens, to an environmentally 3 WOODLAND FOR MORE INFORMATION significant woodland and along the West Humber River, The deciduous woodland is a pleasure to stroll For information on Discovery Walks, including an area once travelled by First Nation peoples. through. It is one of the few remaining forests along brochures, please call Access Toronto at (416) 338-0338 HUMBERHUMBER the West Humber and is protected as an ESA, or visit www.toronto.ca/parks. For information on 1 THE HUMBER an environmentally significant area. area history, inquire at the Humberwood and Albion RIVERRIVER VALLEYVALLEY ARBORETUM Two hundred years ago much branches of the Toronto Public Library. Beautiful in all seasons, of the Toronto region was For information on the Humber Arboretum, call the 100 hectares (250 covered by forest just like (416) 675-5009 or visit www.humberarboretum. One In A Series of Self-Guided Walks acres) belonging to the this one. Mature native on.ca. For information on the Humberwood Centre, Humber Arboretum trees — hickory, maple, call (416) 394-5700. For information on Toronto and features a kaleidoscope beech, ash, oak and Region Conservation, call (416) 661-6600. of ornamental gardens cherry — provide a Discovery Walks is a program of self-guided walks integrated with ponds variety of homes for that links city ravines, parks, gardens, beaches and and wild areas. You can owls, woodpeckers, neighbourhoods. Other Discovery Walks include: find over 1,700 species of chickadees and other Central Ravines, Belt Line and Gardens; Don Valley trees and flowering plants wildlife. In the spring Hills and Dales; Western Ravines and Beaches; and an amazing diversity wildflowers, including Northern Ravines and Gardens; Eastern Ravine and of wildlife. Take time to enjoy trilliums, are fleeting beauties. Beaches; Garrison Creek; Humber River, Old Mill and the spectacular displays such as Migratory birds stop to rest and Marshes; ; ; and the Garden of the Rising Moon. The feed in the spring and fall. Lambton House Hotel and Lower Humber River. Arboretum provides a range of environmental and horticultural programs for groups of all ages and 4 HUMBERWOOD CENTRE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP makes a significant contribution to the Greater Toronto The Humberwood Centre provides the community The City of Toronto would like to thank the Canada community. The Centre for Urban Ecology, a centre for with two schools, a library, a daycare and a recreation Millennium Partnership Fund, the TD Friends of education and research in environmental sustainability, centre – all under one roof! Stop in to see the Great the Environment Foundation, Toronto and Region is being developed at the Arboretum. You are welcome Hall, visit the library and view the vibrant ‘graffiti- style’ Conservation, Humber Arboretum, Humber Watershed to visit the centre when the doors are open or by artwork, created by young people living in the area, Alliance, Toronto Field Naturalists, Humberwood appointment. Call (416) 675-5009 for details. depicting areas of the West Humber valley. See how the Centre, Humber College Institute of Technology and award-winning Humberwood facility has been designed Advanced Learning and Toronto Public Health, for 2 THE WEST HUMBER RIVER AND to help control flooding by using techniques like porous their support. VALLEY LANDS pavement and naturalized landscaping. The paved path beside the West Humber River is part of the Toronto Trail. It may be followed to the Discovery Walks name and logo are official marks of the City of Toronto. main Humber River and to Lake (a distance of TRAIL ACCESS INFORMATION POINTS OF INTEREST The section of the trail through the Humber Arboretum gardens (tableland) has level access with 11 Humber Arboretum some moderate slopes and a combination of hard- 22 West Humber River and valley lands packed and paved surfaces. The Humberwood Centre is accessible. This walk is approximately 10 kilometres 33 Environmentally significant woodland long with a walking time of 2.5 hours minimum (short cut loop an option). If you walk this route at a brisk 44 Humberwood Centre pace, you will burn approximately 620 calories.

“Walking can decrease your risk for heart disease. It is good preventive medicine for both the mind and body.” Active Living Canada and Toronto Public Health 4

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THE HIKERS’ CODE • Stay on the trails • Do not disturb wildlife • Keep dogs on a leash • Be cautious when crossing roads • Leave flowers and plants for others to enjoy • Wear suitable clothing • Walk with someone — it’s safer and more fun • Be aware of other trail users