Water, Industry and Restoration in the Don Valley

Come for an exploration of the Don's connection to water, the industries that depended on water, the enviromental damage left behind and the efforts of civic activism to return the area to a more natural valley.
As our contribution to the 2026 Janes Walk Festival, Lost Rivers Toronto is pleased to offer an outing that relays the story of the Don's industrial past and 70+ years of efforts by the city, Task Force to Bring Back the Don, TRCA and citizen activists/volunteers to reverse some of the mistakes of the past and return to the natural beauty that was lost to urbanization and industry.
With a start at Pottery Road and Broadview Ave where we recognize the long history of First Nations settlement in the area, the narrative begins with a broad overlook of the valley below.
Along our route, we will take in some of the industrial sites that occupied this part of the watershed: Todmorden Mills Historic Site, Beechwood Wetland, Taylor's Middle Mill, Cottonwood Flats, Crothers Woods, Sun Valley and Don Valley Brickworks.
We will highlight the environmental damage done and recognize the groups working to remediate the damage and efforts to provide a better future for these lands through ecological restoration: Todmorden Wildflower Preserve, Toronto Nature Stewards, Toronto Field Naturalists, Toronto Community Stewardship Program (city), DMWTD, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and others.

Meet at the S/W corner of Broadview and Pottery Road (near 1010 Broadview)
We will complete the walk at Evergreen Brickworks where there are washrooms, refreshment and food for purchase along with a free shuttle back to Broadview Station or the TTC #28 bus to Davisville Station. There is paid parking there too.
Lost Rivers walk leaders: Floyd Ruskin and John Wilson
Special guest: Dr. Jennifer Bonnell, noted historian and acclaimed author of 'Reclaiming the Don: An Environmental History of Toronto's Don River Valley'.
Accessibility: A 5.2km linear (one way) walk. We recommend sturdy footwear with good treads; walking poles could be helpful in some sections of the trail.
The first part of the walk is on paved paths, the rest is on some steep, granular or uneven terrain and is unsuitable for mobility devices and strollers. There is a spot to turn around at Cottonwood Flats for participants that don't wish to continue.
Getting there: The meeting spot is served by 5 bus routes to and from Broadview Station and is an 8 minute walk from Broadview Station and the Danforth
Rain or shine
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