Urban Wilderness!

[Lone Primate]

Yes. And it's all the more galling because it could have been rented to a park-keeper, or maybe even on commercial terms, and so been kept in good shape at minimal cost to the public.

But I will say that there's 5000 better Gothic farmhouses still standing in Ontario. And the modern siding probably destroyed any architectural value in the building anyway.

"In Ontario" and "in Toronto" aren't really equivalent in my opinion. Surviving 19th century farmhouses in the vicinity of Bracebridge in 2012? Ho hum. Surviving 19th century farmhouses a two minute walk from a superhighway and thoroughfare interchange in heart of a city of 2.5 million? Considerably rarer. I don't doubt there are better ones out there, and in spades. But this is the one that's come down to us, here, in Toronto, and I'm amazed every time I see it that it's still standing, against all odds.

For me, the fact that siding was added to it at some point to preserve it doesn't diminish it; if anything, it's probably a factor in our still having it. I don't think that matters any more than the fact that a building has had indoor plumbing, electrification, and attachment to a sewer system over the centuries would. It's still a place where historic things happened. Families lived there. A community and mill once stood around it. Civic organizations used it. Don Mills folk drove past it every day for years going to and from work. A little aluminum shouldn't change our estimation of all that.

I'd like to see something done with it to give it some public life again before some drunk teenager uses the all-too-obviously benign neglect as his justification to practice his budding pyro skills. I really don't understand what the city's waiting for. Frankly, I'd rather they put the money into the Milne House than the almost uniquely uninspiring park on its doorstep.

 

[r937]

Frankly, I'd rather they put the money into the Milne House than the almost uniquely uninspiring park on its doorstep.

uninspiring? perhaps, but one can easily imagine what the front yard must've looked like...

these pictures were all taken last october

 

[Lone Primate]

uninspiring? perhaps, but one can easily imagine what the front yard must've looked like...

Actually a good deal of the foreground here would have been taken up with Lawrence Avenue. Dense foliage on the other side. Must have been quite a drive, especially in autumn. Photos of that, I'd like to see. But I don't think it occurred to anyone back then.

 

[Earlscourt_Lad]

Maybe we should organize some sort of UT wilderness trek one day.
Or perhaps a UT death march - say start at the mouth of the Humber, in the middle of August, then start hiking north.
The last one to quit wins... LOL

That's a great idea, excepting the death march component...

I thought I'd add my thanks for this series, I've enjoyed both your pictures and comments.

 

[EVCco]

Thank you kindly, Earlscourt_Lad!
And here's another episode for your viewing pleasure...



Swansea & High Park - ponds aplenty

A bit of a switch this week, as I head to the southwest corner of the city where a preponderance of ponds and related water features can be found. My first stop is Hefley Pond, just south of Bloor Street on the east bank of the Humber River. But there's a good little hike to take first before getting there! A small path off Bloor takes you along the riverside, then into some rather dense vegetation:

To get to the pond itself, you're pretty much on your own. A few faint animal trails lead from the main path to the pond, but keep your bearings as its easy to get disoriented in this lush landscape:

Back on the path, heading south past the Toronto Humber Yacht Club, then into the woods again...:

...where one comes across another large pond (though really more of an inlet) just south of Riverside Trail:

We now head east a little ways through Swansea, down Coe Hill Drive and up Ellis Avenue, to view some waterfront property around West Pond:

Down into the marshland off Ellis Ave:

A small creek leads north into Rennie Park...

...and enventually to another, smaller pond and a secluded outfall:

Off now to the northwest corner of High Park where one finds both the Wendigo Creek and Wendigo Pond. For those unfamiliar with the term, a Wendigo is a mythical Algonquian creature or evil spirit, somewhat similar to a werewolf, known mostly for its power to spread famine and starvation, as well as its insatiable hunger for human flesh. It has also lent its name to a psychological syndrome called "Wendigo Psychosis" in which people believe they have taken on the supernatural powers of the Wendigo and then proceed to engage in a spot of cannibalism. What a fitting name then, to give to this tranquil bit of westend parkland:

Flowing south, the Wendigo creek quickly widens into the area's largest and most famous pond, Grenadier Pond:

Near the centre of the pond a scene suddenly catches my eye which reminds me of a photo I took at the south end of the pond some seven years ago in 2005 - is this the same fisherman?:

In any event, here's some other pictures I've taken around Grenadier Pond from 2002 to the present:

To the southeast corner of the park, where you'll find the two Duck Ponds - first the Upper:

And now the Lower:

Eminating from the southwest end of Lower Duck Pond is the mouth of Spring Creek, which I follow north along Spring Road:

Spring Creek, and my journey, terminates in one last pond in the northeast corner of High Park:

 

[EVCco]

Mimico Creek - subtitle pending

Continuing the Mimico mission I began in January, only now in the opposite direction - heading northwest through Kipling Ave and into Echo Valley Park:

Up into Hampshire Heights Park:

From Rathburn Road to Martin Grove with a quick turn through Ravenscrest Park:

Further north, into West Deane Park South:

The park so nice they named it twice - West Deane Park North:

Approaching Eglinton Avenue now where I'm reminded quite strongly of my last journey down the Mimico, as the creek bed, like a Gorgon's hapless victim, is suddenly turned to stone under the gaze of the massive 401/427 interchange - just as it did beneath the equally menacing QEW:

The creek remains concretized as it winds 'round the back of Willowridge Road:

The long left turn under Highway 401 - or as you probably know it, the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway (when's the last time anyone used that name?):

Pressing on to King's Highway #27, better known as the Etobicoke Parkway (or is it?):

I end today's trip just past Galaxy Boulevard, at Royal Woodbine Golf Club, from whence I regally return to my own castle on Woodbine Ave:

 

[Westdeaner]

Well done, you finally made it to my backyard. I live south of the concrete work but back onto Mimico creek and West Deane Park. It is a great spot and I've been there almost 20 years. In that time I have seen coyotes, a wolf, beavers, deer, shorebirds, owls, vultures and more squirrels and raccoons than you can shake a stick at. It truely makes for a "cottage like" backyard.

 

[Mustapha]

Well, I was in High Park a couple Sundays ago. I took a picture. And about 53 years ago. My dad took a picture then.

 

[EVCco]

^Is that you in the picture?

Well done, you finally made it to my backyard. I live south of the concrete work but back onto Mimico creek and West Deane Park. It is a great spot and I've been there almost 20 years. In that time I have seen coyotes, a wolf, beavers, deer, shorebirds, owls, vultures and more squirrels and raccoons than you can shake a stick at. It truely makes for a "cottage like" backyard.

Wow! I've still yet to spot any vultures on my treks - and I'm not sure I'd want to see any wolves! I certainly wouldn't want to see both at the same time. Something tells me that probably wouldn't be a good sign...

 

[Mustapha]

^Is that you in the picture?




Wow! I've still yet to spot any vultures on my treks - and I'm not sure I'd want to see any wolves! I certainly wouldn't want to see both at the same time. Something tells me that probably wouldn't be a good sign...

Yep, that's me.

 

[Lone Primate]

Yep, that's me.

I pictured you much taller.

 

[EVCco]

Outer Harbour - spitting images, pt. 1

Here's a little mini post (a mere 30 pictures or so) from an abortive mini trek I attempted today. Originally, I had planned on going down to the Leslie Street Spit, a place I've meaning to get out to for quite some time now. I tried going out there about 5 or 6 years ago, as I recall, but never made it for some reason. Heading out, I tried to remember what had impeded me the first time around, but couldn't. Whatever it was, however, it surely would be of no consequence these many years hence. So I hoofed on down to the lakeshore and Leslie Street, beginning with a quick trip past Ashbridge's Bay:

Further west, down Lake Shore East...:

...And down Leslie Street I go, where right as the land begins to hook out into the lake I'm met with a fence and a sign reading "Tommy Thompson Park Closed to Public - Except Weekends & Holidays." Aaaarrrrggggh!!!! Damn you Friday! My kingdom for a long weekend! It all comes back to me now. Even circumventing the fence would likely prove fruitless as I now recall doing that very same thing the first time, only to be promptly escorted back from whence I came by a consortium of construction workers. Oh well. No point letting this little setback ruin my day. I simply head down Unwin Avenue to see what I can see:

Ah, look there. Off in the distance. A few glimpses of the Spit across the harbour:

Off Unwin, and into the bush, where I discover yet more remnants of Toronto's lost concrete civilization:

Past the old RL Hearn Generating Station:

Skirting the edge of North Shore Park:

I end up at Cherry Beach, and no, I didn't take the "Express." Though I actually did see some cops down there - hitting golf balls into the lake of all things! I end with a couple shots perhaps more suited to my long abandoned Beaches Thread. It's that time of year again... Just side-step the goose crap and get in the water!:

 

[Goldie]

Nice tour of a relatively unknown section of Toronto's waterfront. Thanks EVCco.

I'd like to have seen a photo of the cops and their balls!

 

[EVCco]

Ha!
I don't take those kind of photographs...

 

[RC8]

Great pics, EVCco. Do you do your treks alone or do you sometimes take people with you?