The Death and Life of the Don
In 1969, Torontonians held a funeral for the Don River. The once-majestic river had been channelized, industrialized, polluted, and neglected. Its harbour was filled with contaminated soil; its meandering tributaries were buried underground.
Five decades later, due to the extraordinary efforts of activists and policy makers, the Don breathes life again. Where once stood sludge-oozing factories now sits a pristine new river bed. Seeds that lay dormant under the Port Lands for a century have begun to sprout. Fish whose ancestors were displaced are now giddily returning to their homelands.
The revitalization of the Don River is a feat of imagination and engineering. This tour will explore the history and future of the Port Lands. Along the way we will see just how, despite our best efforts to shape it to our industrial ends, nature always prevails.
Location: The tour begins at Tommy Thompson Park, a human-made peninsula created by dumping bricks and debris into Lake Ontario, which has since become protected park and bird sanctuary. The tour will end at the Keating Channel Pub. This area can take up to an hour to commute to from downtown Toronto, so please plan your transportation judiciously.
Price: This tour operates on a pay-what-you-can basis. There is no up-front cost or booking fee. You are responsible for your own subway fare. At the end of the tour, you can pay whatever you feel the tour was worth (cash or card both accepted). Most guests choose to pay between $25 - $40 per person.
Accessibility: this tour takes place primarily along park trails and paved roads. There are no stairs. The route is suitable for most mobility devices (e.g. wheelchair, stroller).