... for raccoons.
March 24 addition.
From:
http://www.lostrivers.ca/points/donvalehs.htm
“Before the completion of Prince Edward Viaduct at Bloor Street in October 1918, Winchester Street was an important route into [and out of] Toronto.."
Wearing sensible shoes, today we alight from the 506 Carlton car at Parliament street and walk a block north to Winchester street. Now is the time to purchase a Tim Hortons coffee (and perhaps a donut – for its invigorating qualities). We turn right and walk east along this delightful street. At Sumach street we see the Gothically named Necropolis cemetery on the left and the Riverdale Farm on the right. We proceed straight ahead, taking a moment to admire the Necropolis entrance. We do not dally and proceed through a gate and thence down into Riverdale park.
This path on which we trod follows the alignment of Winchester street, which at one time descended into the Don Valley; was carried across the Don River by the Winchester Street Bridge, thence NNEasterly climbing out of the valley to intersect with Broadview and Danforth. At the bottom of the path, where it opens onto Riverdale Park, we see another gate, just push it open.
Today, we see dogs running off leash, many cyclists and hear the roar of Don Valley Parkway traffic but this area was once sylvan.
I have a bit of reason to doubt the accuracy of the opening sentence that I quoted. I surmise that quite a few years before 1918, perhaps several decades, the Winchester route had already lapsed into obsolescence. As 1900 dawned there were already substantial bridges at Queen and Dundas spanning the Don. The idea of a Pottery-road-like Winchester as a commercial route doesn't convince. Any opinions?
-Moose
