Don Valley Brickworks Park

Our Toronto-based school and summer programs are located in Don Valley Brickworks Park, where students have the exceptional opportunity to experience nature-based learning right at their doorstep.

For a century, Don Valley Brick Works Park was the site of a major brick manufacturer and supplier of buildings throughout Toronto. That changed in 1989 when the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) acquired the site and began restoration work with the City of Toronto in 1995. This involved creating a series of wetlands that provide habitat for aquatic plants and wildlife and channelling water from nearby Mud Creek through the wetland to filter it naturally before it flows into the Don River and eventually Lake Ontario.

Today, the 200 hectares of wetlands, dry wildflower meadows and forest plant communities create a variety of ecosystem types that provide the ideal setting for Outward Bound Canada’s urban programs, where participants can hike the many nature trails, paddle the Don River and perfect their outdoor skills surrounded by nature in this special area – all within 10 minutes of downtown Toronto and accessible by car, public transit, foot or bike.

Our Program Location

In our program office, you’ll find a unique environment where youth can explore nature’s stories, and beauty in our own urban area. Our students get to experience the natural side of Toronto by discovering the parks and green spaces in the Lower Don Valley and nearby ravines.

Upon drop off, you will likely see a large circular sign as well as blue window panels on the front windows labeled “Outward Bound Canada”. We are just east of the covered Farmers Market area.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Toronto Urban Wild.

How to Get here

There are various ways to get to get to our programs. Please see below.

The Shuttle Bus

A free Shuttle Bus is offered by Evergreen Brickworks. The bus runs seven days a week, all year round and is wheelchair accessible. It departs every 30-45 minutes from Broadview Station. The Shuttle Bus has a limited capacity of 20 seated and 6 standing. For large groups, including visiting schools, please be aware that the Shuttle Bus is a key method of transportation for staff and tenants working at the Brick Works and members of the public. As a result, priority will be given to such individuals upon boarding at any time of day. This may require your group to take two or more trips at peak times.

*Weather and traffic conditions may impact shuttle schedule times. Please see The Shuttle Bus schedule linked here.

Biking

There are several ways to get to Evergreen Brick Works by bike. Check out the City of Toronto’s Cycling Network Map or try our suggestions on the right.

Bayview Avenue:

Bayview Avenue is accessible from Pottery Road to the north or River Street to the south. Beechwood Drive (running north from O’Connor, east of Broadview) also offers access via the Lower Don Trail and Pottery Road.

Rosedale:

There is bike access via Rosedale Valley Road, which extends off Aylmer Avenue, running east from Yonge Street just south of Rosedale subway station.

Beltline Trail:

The Beltline Trail is accessible from several spots, the closest being Milkman’s Run, north of Castle Frank Subway Station. Note: This route is generally impassable by bike in winter.

Walking

Milkman’s Run:
From the Bloor–Danforth Subway and South Rosedale.
25 to 30 minutes, with a relatively gradual descent into the valley.

Directions

From Castle Frank Subway Station, follow Castle Frank Road north, past Hawthorne Gardens.
Head west on Elm Avenue to South Drive. Head north, past the entrance to Cragleigh gardens.
The entrance to the Milkman’s Run trail is on the right.
Follow the trail downhill to the Beltline Trail. Continue east, following the signs for Moore Park Ravine, all the way to Evergreen Brick Works.

Note: Ignore all the little paths down the slope. Be patient! Watch for a maintained trail with a sign at the top of it.

Chorley Park:
From the Yonge Subway Line and North Rosedale.

Directions

From Rosedale Station, take the 82 Rosedale bus to Chorley Park, which is on Douglas Drive.
Walk east across the park to where the black fence ends and the trail begins. Follow the paved trail to the right and take the stairs down the slope.
At the bottom of the stairs, continue following the paved trail, taking the lower branch where it forks. There will be a path to your right near the end of the pavement, which joins up with the main trail.
Take the Beltline Trail south to the entrance to Evergreen Brick Works.

Driving

Getting Here

From Downtown: It is easiest to access Bayview Avenue from River Street, which runs north from King Street and joins Bayview just north of Gerrard Street.
From the Don Valley Parkway: Take the exit for Bloor Street/Bayview Avenue and head north on Bayview for 300 metres until you come to Evergreen Brick Works.
From East York: The easiest way to approach Bayview Avenue from the east is via Pottery Road, which runs between Broadview Avenue (north of Bloor) and Bayview Avenue. Travel 700 metres south on Bayview until you come to Evergreen Brick Works on your right.