Public Walk – Subway Series: Shacktown, Tiny Town, Laneways and Pits

Join us on Saturday, February 1st at 10:00 am for 2 hr, 3-4 km linear walk on mostly paved flat surface with some gentle slopes and stairs.

Leader: Joanne Doucette

Walk Location: Coxwell Avenue to Greenwood Avenue

Meeting Point: Entrance to Coxwell Subway Station.

Getting There: Accessible by TTC. Parking is limited. There is a Green P parking spot just west of Coxwell Avenue on the south side of Danforth. There is a public parking lot nearby.

Walk Details: A 2 hr, 3-4 km linear walk on mostly paved flat surface with some gentle slopes and stairs. Beginning at Coxell subway station; ending at Greenwood subway station.

Accessibility: There are a few stairs. Route may be icy or slushy.

Washroom: At the beginning and at the end.

Walk Description: Our route will take us south from Coxwell Station down Thistlewood Lane to Hanson Street where Monarch Park students have planted wildflower gardens. Then through Monarch Park, which was the Ashbridges Bush, with some mature oaks, butternuts and other species. We cross the lost Ashbridges Creek a number of times as we explore one of Toronto’s lost Shacktowns and “Tiny Town” (Craven Rd) with its famous fence. We will combine observing nature with exploring architecture and the industrial history of the area. We will walk west from Tiny Town through a pedestrian tunnel under the CNR/GO Train tracks to the Torbrick Road Housing Complex, north through Felstead Park to the Greenwood Subway Station.

What to bring: Water or thermos with hot drink, lunch, hat, mitts/gloves, warm clothes, field guide, binoculars. Icers (metal grips for shoes) may be helpful. 

Other information: This is a public walk, one of a series usually held on the first Saturday of the month. The walk goes rain, snow or shine so dress for the weather. The pace is slow so dress warmly, but we will not be roughing it off trail and for the most part will be on paved pathways or sidewalks. There are a few stairs, not many and not steep.

Coffee shops/washrooms near Coxwell Station:

Pomarosa Coffee Shop & Kitchen, 1504 Danforth Avenue

Starbucks, 1417 Danforth Avenue

A & W, 1606 Danforth Avenue (closest to the station)

Coffee shops/washrooms near Greenwood Station:

Tim Horton’s, 1195 Danforth Ave, one block east of Greenwood Ave

For more information:

https://leslievillehistory.com/craven-rd-fence/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashbridge%27s_Creek

https://oncravenroad.blogspot.com/2013/08/origin-stories.html

https://spacing.ca/toronto/2013/02/13/the-tiny-house-society-of-craven-road/

Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Craven+Rd,+Toronto,+ON/@43.674342,-79.3241828,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x89d4cc770838f603:0x27931641f5597897!8m2!3d43.674342!4d-79.3219941!16s%2Fg%2F1ttphwnh?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAwMi4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Outings Etiquette

Please follow our Naturalist’s Code of Ethics on outings to minimize our impact on nature. If you plan on taking photos, please read our pamphlet on Ethical Nature Photography Best Practices. Note: Dogs are not allowed on TFN outings, apart from leashed registered service dogs.

Cancellation Policy

An outing will be cancelled if there is a 70% or higher chance of thunderstorm or if other hazardous weather arises. See our full cancellation policy here: https://torontofieldnaturalists.org/walks/tfn-outing-cancellation-policy/

Safety

Please dress for the weather. Bring water with you. Use bug spray and check for ticks when you get home. Do not attend an outing if you are feeling ill.