Deep within Toronto lies Don Valley East. It is a place shaped by history and nature. Let’s uncover some quirky facts.
The Don River is central to this story. Toronto has a complicated relationship with it. The river has been both prized and mistreated.
Did you know the Don River actually caught fire? This happened at least twice in the early 1900s. Oil refineries released product into the river. A fire in 1931 destroyed a bridge. Another in 1943 damaged several properties. Environmental awareness was low. These incidents didn’t get much attention.
The lower Don was straightened and widened. This happened south of the Bloor Viaduct. The city planned a new industrial hub in the 1880s. This freed space for a new rail entrance. The river’s mouth was even angled to avoid an oil refinery. The British American Oil refinery refused to move. So, the mouth was made into a right angle.
Imagine summer homes in the Don Valley. The scenery was verdant. Wildlife was abundant. The river’s sounds were gentle. Charles Sauriol, a naturalist, had two homes here. One was removed for the Don Valley Parkway. The other due to flood damage after Hurricane Hazel.
A proto-Don Valley Parkway was envisioned early. As early as 1914, there was a plan for the road. The city eyed a low-speed parkway in 1943. But the Don Valley Parkway only became reality in the 1950s.
Squatters lived in the Don Valley too. As early as the 1820s, homeless people dwelled here. Joseph Tyler was one of the first recorded squatters. He lived in a cave near the Queen Street bridge. Tyler was a veteran who sold building materials. He also ferried beer by canoe.
The Port Lands was once a large marsh. It was one of the largest marshes on Lake Ontario. Industrialization wiped it out. Early maps show reeds and ponds. These were homes for migratory birds.
Believe it or not, the Don Valley was a ski spot. In 1934, there was a 30-metre ski jump. The Toronto Ski Club built it near Thorncliffe. Teddie Zinkin, 17, won a competition. Today, only a pylon from the lift remains.
Malaria was once common in the Don Valley. Early settlers called it “ague” or “lake fever.” Mosquitoes thrived in pooled water. The mouth of the Don was one of the worst areas.
The city considered the valley for a baseball stadium. This was before the Blue Jays. One location was sketched near the Chester Hill Lookout. Escalators would have connected the stadium to the subway.
The Don River Valley has changed immensely. It has gone from a natural haven to an industrial hub. Now, efforts are underway to restore its ecology. The Don River Valley Park is envisioned as a major environmental project. The river was straightened. The Port Lands lost its marsh. People swam in the river. Hurricane Hazel caused massive floods. The Don Valley was a place for skiing. The Don Valley Parkway changed the valley forever.
Today, we reflect on this transformation. The Don Valley East is a reminder of Toronto’s past. It also represents the city’s future commitment to nature.