Public walk – Corktown Common

Name: Public walk – Corktown Common
Start: 2025-09-13T14:00:00-04:00
Location: Corktown Common

Schedule

Sat, 13 Sep, 2025 at 02:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Corktown Common | Toronto, ON

Join us on Saturday, September 13th at 2:00 pm for a 2.5-hour, 3 km circular nature and heritage walk.
This afternoon walk will take us from the cobblestones of the Distillery District east along Mill Street to Corktown Common; a compact city park painstakingly transformed from an industrial wasteland into a green urban gem planted entirely with native trees, shrubs and forbs. Think of Corktown Common as the little sister of the celebrated new Biidaasige Park at the Don’s Mouth; both were designed by the same landscape architects: Michael van Valkenburgh Associates. Corktown Common is typically ablaze with fall asters, golden rod and other autumn colours by September. The tiny marsh features cattails, pickerel W**d and arrowhead. Fall migrant birds might drop by. Corktown Common’s main job is to function as a flood protection berm, designed to withstand a 500-year flood, but the park also offers wonderful natural habitats as well as children’s play areas and lawns for picnicking. We will double back to the Distillery District, with the option of a drink together at the Mill Street Brew Pub.
Leader: Ellen Schwartzel
Location: Corktown Common
Meeting Point: Meet at the Distillery District, outside Balzac’s Coffee Shop at 1 Trinity Street. Beside the very large abstract sculpture “Still Dancing”.
Details: A 2.5-hour, 3 km circular nature and heritage walk along mostly paved surfaces with some gentle slopes. No stairs.
Getting There: By TTC to Distillery District: Subway from the Bloor Line: Take Subway to Castle Frank station on the Bloor line. Connect to Bus 65A Parliament. Ride the bus straight down Parliament. Exit at Front St. and walk one block South to Mill St. King Streetcar: Take 504 King East Streetcar. Exit at the Distillery Loop. Cross Cherry Street at the Mill Street intersection and enter via Tank House Lane or Distillery Lane. From Union Station: Walk 7 minutes North on Bay Street to King Street; board the 504 King East Streetcar and ride it to the Distillery Loop. Cross Cherry Street at the Mill Street intersection and enter via Tank House Lane or Distillery Lane.
Washrooms: Along the way
What to Bring: Sun hat, water and a snack.
Photo by Theresa Moore.