By Helen Braithwaite and Pennie Mathers
We are so fortunate to have the historic Don Valley Brick Works site revitalized with an emphasis on sustainability and conservation at our doorstep.
Date: 2009 opening weekend May 23rd and 24th, 2009
Location:
The Brickworks are Located just off Bayview Avenue, South of Pottery Road and North of the Prince Edward Viaduct. The Brickworks is connected to the nature trails of the Moore/Rosedale Ravine system. For the fitness enthusiast you can walk or bike, there is also a shuttle bus from Broadview Subway Station during peak visiting times. The TTC is contemplating a regular shuttle bus from Davisville Subway…stay tuned for more details! It is nice to keep with the environmental theme en route.
What it is:
The Brickworks project is part of the National Charity Evergreen that is raising $55million to transform this heritage site into an international showcase for urban sustainability and green design. It offers a multitude of programs and activities including its farmers market, a native plant nursery, arts initiatives and more.
The Brickworks Projects has four Themes: Innovation and Discovery; Food and Community; Natural and Cultural Heritage; Gardening and Greening.
A little history:
In 1889 the Don Valley Brick Works was opened after clay tests showed it was the perfect site for making bricks. The Brick works thrived and was particularly busy after the great fire of 1904, which destroyed much of the downtown core and resulted in new laws requiring masonry construction. The bricks were of excellent quality and won in 1893 the highest award at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago and also won two gold medals at the Toronto Industrial Fair. The Don Valley Brickworks was the longest running in Ontario and offered more products than any of its competitors. By the mid 1980′s however the clay was beginning to run out. The plant closed in 1984 after having produced over 43 million bricks.
Evergreen has been involved with the Brick Works site since 1997 and the Don Valley Water Shed since 1991. Evergreen is working with the E.R.A. Heritage Architects to preserve the industrial and architectural character of the site
Evergreen has a symbiotic relationship with the Toronto and Region Conservation. The site is currently owned by Toronto and Region Conservation and operated by the City of Toronto. To date $32 million has been invested in the site. Evergreen has an agreement to lease the industrial pad and the historic buildings and the City continues to maintain the adjacent Park and Quarry Gardens.
Partnerships:
YMCA, Bridgepoint Health, Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, Jamie Kennedy, Outward Bound Canada, Mooreland Community Services, Toronto District School Board, Eva’s Phoenix
How to get involved:
- May 23 10am-2pm and Sunday May 24th 10am-4pm the DOORS OPEN!
- Story telling
- First Nations’ ceremonies
- Plant a seedling
- Get some urban gardening tips and purchase some native plants
- Plus many more planet friendly activities
- Visit the Saturday farmer’s market beginning May 23, 2009
- Sign-up for the Biweekly Garden Stewardship workshop
- Go to the Sustainability Fair on September 26, 2009
For more information visit their website www.evergreen.ca/rethinkspace/?p=451
Helen Braithwaite and Pennie Mathers are both Sales Representative with Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd./JOHNSTON AND DANIEL DIVISION, Brokerage. Helen and Pennie are regular contributors to the Muddy York blog. Their website is located at www.twoperspectives.ca
