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Our walk group meets at the Alderwood Centre (with the Alderwood Library and Pool, at 2 Orianna Drive, a block west of Brown’s Line at Horner) next to Sir Adam Beck Public School -- a place of many connections like our waterways.We will begin at the historic Sir Adam Beck triple arch, its surprising history commemorated there with a plaque. Our group will then follow Horner Avenue West to the long slope down into Etobicoke Valley Park.
From here, it is difficult to picture the incredible diversity of life just beyond the roadway. Etobicoke Creek is an important part of the protected waterways of the Greenbelt. It flows 59 km from its source in Caledon to the mouth in Marie Curtis Park, passing through a wide range of settings from rolling hills in farmland, highway interchanges, suburban and urban landscapes, parkland and golf courses.
The creek gets its name from the Algonkian word “Wah-do-be-kaug” meaning “place where the alders grow”.
On this linear walk (one way) we will explore the lowest portion of the valley, passing through several interconnected parks and different habitats, meeting many of the nature neighbours including the namesake alder trees. From the steep tree-covered slopes to stone cliffs, from great leaning willows to the oak and maple-rich forests, we will explore the beauty of one of Toronto’s magnificent ravines. Our walk takes us through the valley where we’ll pause to recognize historical landmarks and plaques, places of natural historical importance, and interactions with wildlife.
Historical plaques by the last footbridge help orient the importance of this waterway to past, present and future inhabitants, including the local devastation of Hurricane Hazel.
Finally, at the mouth of the creek we will greet the lake and meet the new landscape on the western side of the creek where Jim Tovey Park continues to grow, slated to open next summer. As climate change brings more frequent intense storms, we’ll consider what lessons Hurricane Hazel has to offer to us today.
Walk Leader: Laurel Fynes
TRANSPORTATION:
By TTC: TTC Bus options: 123 Kipling, 110A Islington. (At the end of the walk, we’ll guide you to the Long Branch transit hub with buses returning up Brown’s Line past our starting point, heading to Sherway, Kipling or Islington Stations)
By car: Parking available at the library/pool building, 2 Orianna Drive (one block west of Brown’s Line at Horner).
On foot or by bike: mostly we’ll be walking along the paved pathway beside the creek, accessible from the north and south ends of our walk.
DISTANCE of WALK: 2.8 km
ACCESSIBILITY: A fairly steep paved walk down into the valley at the west end of Horner, otherwise mostly on flat paved path. You'll be invited to leave the path to approach the creek at a few spots, and the beach at the end, but there are benches available to rest at these spots as these detours are optional."
WASHROOMS: Located inside the building that houses the pool and library before our walk begins; at the end of our walk, there are washrooms in Marie Curtis Park.
www.lostrivers.ca
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2 Orianna Dr, Toronto, ON M8W 4Y1, Canada
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