Guided by Doug Bennet, Chair, Wabash Building Society, and special guests
What was here before us? What connection does this corner of Toronto have to Napoleon? How did continental conquest shape the neighbourhood to this very day? Why is Wabash Avenue so weirdly wide? How can we reclaim abandoned industrial property for civic use in the spirit of Jane Jacobs? These are just some of the topics and surprises in store for you in this history-steeped walk in ancient Brockton.
The walk will start at the corner of Sorauren and Wabash avenues, at the southwest entrance to Sorauren Avenue Park. You’ll learn about the history of the park and the street itself (it wasn’t always called Sorauren) before we head north to begin exploring the area’s colourful industrial past.
The railway corridor cuts through this area and we’ll explore the 150-year history of the railroads, up to the present-day Railpath development and the controversy over the Metrolinx diesel train plan.
More industrial history awaits along Lansdowne, then to Wabash, where the tour will conclude with an update on the proposed Wabash Community Centre situated in a 100-year-old linseed oil factory… what promises to become the greenest community centre in Toronto if not all of Canada.
Along the way we’ll identify the local flora and fauna and keep our eyes out for migrating birds,layering thousands of years of natural history over our modern city.
Councillor Perks will also be along for this walk, taking in the sites and meeting the neighbours.
This is the fallback content for users who cannot see the Google Map.
- Meeting Place:
North-east corner of Sorauren Ave. and Wabash Ave, at the entrance to Sorauren Park. Closest street address is 50 Wabash Avenue.
- End Location:
TBA
- Neighbourhood:
Sorauren and College.
- Public Transit Directions:
Streetcars on Dundas West, Queen and College.
- Accessible:
Fully accessible, sidewalks only. There are gentle slopes up one bridge and under an underpass.
- Parking Available:
TBA
