Sat. August 21, 11 AM.
The Royal Alexandra Theatre, anchor of the Theatre District, celebrates its 103rd birthday this year. Hear the story of the theatre and explore the multi-layered history of the surrounding neighbourhood.
Start Point: Simcoe Park, just E of the CBC Broadcast Centre and across from the Toronto Convention Centre (Front St W)
Map
This walk is FREE. No reservations required. Just show up at the start point.
Dogs and children ARE welcome on this walk.
Bicyclists, please note that the sidewalks are narrow so consider parking your bike along the route. The end point is only about 2 blocks from the start point.
Official description at Heritage Toronto.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Burke Brook Ramble
Monday, August 2 - 1:30 PMA ramble for the Toronto Field Naturalists. Some history, some nature. I grew up in Lawrence Park and walked through the ravines from my days as a kid.
We're walking from Lawrence W and Avenue Road through to Bayview south of Blythwood Road. It's not a circular route, but a bus ride with free transfer at Lawrence Station will get you from the end back to the beginning if you park near there.
TFN guidelines ask that walkers do not bring pets, particularly dogs.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
We're walking from Lawrence W and Avenue Road through to Bayview south of Blythwood Road. It's not a circular route, but a bus ride with free transfer at Lawrence Station will get you from the end back to the beginning if you park near there.
TFN guidelines ask that walkers do not bring pets, particularly dogs.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Fringe of Toronto Festival Sites
Sat. July 3, 11 AM.
This year marks the 21st anniversary of the Fringe Festival in Toronto, a *must see* for theatre fans. Explore the history of some of the sites where Fringe plays have been presented, most of which were built for a purpose other than theatre.
START POINT: Across from Palmerston Library 560 Palmsrston Ave. (2 blocks west of Bloor and Bathurst.)
Here are the sites, I'll be covering.
It will be a mix of building histories, Fringe history and concepts of the Fringe.
I hope you'll be able to join me.
This year marks the 21st anniversary of the Fringe Festival in Toronto, a *must see* for theatre fans. Explore the history of some of the sites where Fringe plays have been presented, most of which were built for a purpose other than theatre.
START POINT: Across from Palmerston Library 560 Palmsrston Ave. (2 blocks west of Bloor and Bathurst.)
Here are the sites, I'll be covering.
- Palmerston Library Theatre
- Honest Ed's
- Victory Cafe
- Bathurst Theatre
- Annex Theatre
- Central Tech
- Pauper's Restaurant
- Bloor Cinema
- Sonic Boom
- Lee's Palace
- Intrepid Travel
- Ye Olde Brunswick House
- the former Poor Alex Theatre
- the TRANSAC club
- James Joyce Pub
- Miles Nadal JCC
It will be a mix of building histories, Fringe history and concepts of the Fringe.
I hope you'll be able to join me.
South Rosedale
Sat. June 5, 1:30 PM
-- A walk for Heritage Toronto, (previously presented in 2006 and 2008)
This prestigious neighbourhood was named after the estate of Sheriff William Botsford Jarvis and his wife Mary Powell, members of Toronto's early 19th century elite. Set amongst wooded ravines, the area developed slowly due to its isolation from the city and to various economic downturns. As a result, it boasts buildings representing a variety of 19th and 20th century architectural styles.
START POINT: Parkette in front of Rosedale Subway Station (East side of Yonge)
-- A walk for Heritage Toronto, (previously presented in 2006 and 2008)
This prestigious neighbourhood was named after the estate of Sheriff William Botsford Jarvis and his wife Mary Powell, members of Toronto's early 19th century elite. Set amongst wooded ravines, the area developed slowly due to its isolation from the city and to various economic downturns. As a result, it boasts buildings representing a variety of 19th and 20th century architectural styles.
START POINT: Parkette in front of Rosedale Subway Station (East side of Yonge)
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Jane's Walk - Dawlish Ave: Garden Suburb meets Automobile Suburb
I'm pleased to announce I'm leading a Jane's Walk again this year.
Jane's Walks are free neighbourhood strolls that emphasize the importance of walkable and diverse cities and neighbourhoods. Led by locals who know from experience what's important and interesting about the areas so they focus on personal observations.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
10:00 AM, 1.75 hours
Dawlish Avenue was first laid out in W. S. Dinnick's plan for the Lawrence Park Estates in the early 1900s. Bordered by a park, it curved south eastward away from Yonge but was still close to transit and shopping. After World War II, the eastern end was developed quickly and with a focus toward car owners. Come along and see a this interesting street with a gal who grew up there.
Meeting Place: Parking lot at the south west corner of Bayview Avenue and Dawlish Avenue.
TTC Directions: From Lawrence Station, take the Sunnybrook 124 bus to the Dawlish Avenue stop.
End Location: St Edmunds Drive and Yonge Street. Not a circular route.
Difficulty: Gentle hills along the walk. Rough pavement with no sidewalks for the first 40% of the walk.
Parking: Some street parking. Note, this is a non-circular walk and the walk back to your car may take 20-25 minutes.
Jane's Walk page for the walk
Jane's Walks are free neighbourhood strolls that emphasize the importance of walkable and diverse cities and neighbourhoods. Led by locals who know from experience what's important and interesting about the areas so they focus on personal observations.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
10:00 AM, 1.75 hours
Dawlish Avenue was first laid out in W. S. Dinnick's plan for the Lawrence Park Estates in the early 1900s. Bordered by a park, it curved south eastward away from Yonge but was still close to transit and shopping. After World War II, the eastern end was developed quickly and with a focus toward car owners. Come along and see a this interesting street with a gal who grew up there.
Meeting Place: Parking lot at the south west corner of Bayview Avenue and Dawlish Avenue.
TTC Directions: From Lawrence Station, take the Sunnybrook 124 bus to the Dawlish Avenue stop.
End Location: St Edmunds Drive and Yonge Street. Not a circular route.
Difficulty: Gentle hills along the walk. Rough pavement with no sidewalks for the first 40% of the walk.
Parking: Some street parking. Note, this is a non-circular walk and the walk back to your car may take 20-25 minutes.
Jane's Walk page for the walk
Monday, March 22, 2010
Toronto's Fire Halls and Great Fires
Saturday, April 17, 2010
1:30 PM
Free
My third ramble for the Toronto Field Naturalists. Some history, some lost creeks, featuring three halls still standing and many more sites significant in Toronto fire history. I wrote a paper on the history and architecture of fire halls in Toronto. This is a walk close to my heart.
Stops include:
* Site of 1st and 2nd Parliament Buildings that burned down
* Berkeley Street Firehall
* Firehall #333 (formerly #5)
* Site where Great Fire of 1849 started
* Lombard Street Firehall
* Site of York's first fire hall
* Court House Square
* Site of Bay Street Firehall
* Site where Great Fire of 1904 started
Meet at the southwest corner of Parliament St. and Front St. E. (Map) Outdoor only.
TFN guidelines ask that walkers do not bring pets, particularly dogs.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
1:30 PM
Free
My third ramble for the Toronto Field Naturalists. Some history, some lost creeks, featuring three halls still standing and many more sites significant in Toronto fire history. I wrote a paper on the history and architecture of fire halls in Toronto. This is a walk close to my heart.
Stops include:
* Site of 1st and 2nd Parliament Buildings that burned down
* Berkeley Street Firehall
* Firehall #333 (formerly #5)
* Site where Great Fire of 1849 started
* Lombard Street Firehall
* Site of York's first fire hall
* Court House Square
* Site of Bay Street Firehall
* Site where Great Fire of 1904 started
Meet at the southwest corner of Parliament St. and Front St. E. (Map) Outdoor only.
TFN guidelines ask that walkers do not bring pets, particularly dogs.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
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