Three free walks are offered this weekend by Heritage Toronto, and are sponsored by TD Canada Trust and presented by the Toronto Star. They are as follows:
*The Parc Downsview Park Walking Tour begins at 11:00am on Saturday, July 9, 2005 at 70 Canuck Avenue on the southeast corner of Sheppard Avenue and Keele Street. For more information on the precise location, please call (416) 952-9270. The walk will finish at The Hangar, located at 75 Cark Hall Road. This walk will take about two hours to complete. Jay Todd of Parc Downsview Park will highlight the many points of historical, natural and architectural interest in this area. Pamphlets will be handed out to describe points of interest along the tour. This is rated as a long walk on paved surfaces, with some rough pathways and slopes. Buildings are wheelchair accessible, and there are washroom facilities at the halfway point. Explore the history of Downsview and its transformation from a military base into Canada’s first national urban park. Learn about plans for the development of the park, and visit some of the historic buildings that have been refurbished for modern use.
*The Queen’s Park Stroll Walking Tour begins at 1:30pm on Saturday, July 9, 2005 at the main entrance doors of the Legislative Building, north of Queen’s Park subway station. The tour will take 1.5 hours to complete and will conclude where it began. Education Officers of the Interparliamentary & Public Relations Branch will highlight the many points of architectural and historical interest in this area. Pamphlets will be handed out to describe points of interest along the tour. This walk is rated as an easy walk over some small slopes and lawn. This popular tour examines the history of our provincial Legislative Building and the fascinating monuments that surround it. Free half-hour tours of the interior of the Legislature are available before and after the tour of the grounds at 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Call (416) 325-7500 to enquire about interior tours.
*The University of Toronto Downtown Campus Walking Tour begins at 11:00am on Sunday, July 10, 2005 at the Nona MacDonald Visitors Centre, King’s College Circle (south end of Knox College) and finishing at St. Michael’s College, Queen’s Park and Wellesley Street. The walk will take about 1.5 hours to complete. University of Toronto staff will highlight the many points of historical and architectural interest in this area. Pamphlets will be handed out to describe points of interest along the tour. This walk is rated as an average walk with some stairs. Explore the early history of the University of Toronto. Particular attention will be given to the secularization of the school, the federation of the colleges, and the range of architectural styles present in the older buildings on campus.
Reservations for the walking tours are not required and there is no charge for the walks, though donations are welcome.
This is the eleventh year that Heritage Toronto has been conducting free guided neighbourhood tours. The walks are being held on weekends from April 23 to October 2, and Parc Downsview Park is the 22nd walk in this series for 2005.
Heritage Toronto promotes the conservation and celebration of Toronto’s heritage. It is one of Canada’s largest volunteer-driven charities, working in partnership with hundreds of volunteers and community organizations. For more information, please call the Heritage Toronto Information Line at (416) 338-3886 or visit www.heritagetoronto.org