Subway Series: The lost Midway neighbourhood/today’s Beach Hill neighbourhood

Leader: Joanne Doucette

Getting There: Accessible by TTC. There is a public parking lot nearby.

Walk Details: A 4 hr, 6-10 km, linear nature and heritage walk on mostly unpaved and uneven surfaces, with gentle slopes and some steep slopes, some stairs. Beginning at Woodbine subway station; ending at Coxwell subway station.

Accessibility: Muddy, steep slopes, many stairs. Alternative routes available for those requiring a detour.

Washroom: At the beginning and at the end.

Walk Description: We will go south through East Lynn Park to the Merrill Bridge Road Park and the wetlands of Small’s Creek, then east to Woodbine Avenue and south to stairways leading up to Wildwood Crescent. We will walk through the old Toronto Golf Club grounds to Williamson’s Ravine and then down the stairs to the path system along Small’s Creek. There are many birds and mammals who make this park their home, so we hope to see lots of tracks. From there we will walk north past some historic factories (now housing), past the CNR/GO Train line and through the quiet enclave north of the tracks with its tiny houses and winding streets, ending at the Coxwell subway station. We will go to a local coffee shop afterwards.

What to bring: Water or thermos with hot drink, lunch, hat, mitts/gloves, warm clothes, field guide, binoculars. Icers, hiking boots, and walking sticks are recommended.

Other information: This is a public walk, one of a series usually held usually on the first Saturday of the month. The walk goes rain, snow or shine so dress for the weather.

While the pace is slow, the sides of Williamson’s Ravine are precipitous; the paths narrow, sometimes very muddy and slippery; and the stairs are steep. The bridges are planks over the stream.

There are alternate routes available for those who do not wish to go through the ravine and the leader will have maps showing the routes and the rendezvous point for those choosing to take the alternatives around the ravine.

Click here for the park map.

For more information:
Walking The Wonderful Williamson Park Ravine In The Upper Beach
These picturesque ravines in Toronto follow the path of a partially buried creek
Upper Beaches hidden urban creek

Washrooms near Woodbine Station:
Coffee Time, 2146 Danforth Avenue, one block east of the Station
Toronto Public Library, Danforth-Woodbine Branch, 1675 Danforth Avenue

Coffee shops/washrooms near Coxwell Station:
A & W, 1606 Danforth Avenue (closest to the station)
Pomarosa Coffee Shop & Kitchen, 1504 Danforth Avenue
Starbucks, 1417 Danforth Avenue

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.

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.