Toronto’s Lost Rivers: Taddle Creek Walk

Toronto is a city of lost rivers. There were a dozen or more prominent creeks and rivers that ran through the city until European settlement started to sprawl across the city and cover them up. Mostly today they have been bricked up as sewers, and they are an unknown natural mystery to today’s city residents. But they still gurgle under your feet as you make your way across downtown Toronto. The story of their disappearance is an important part of our urban ecology.

Our Taddle Creek Walk traces the route of old Taddle Creek, which disappeared over a period of more than 25 years, between 1860 and the mid to late 1880s. At some portions of the walk, the old creek bed is quite evident, and at other points, it is completely unidentifiable. We will follow the creeks meandering southeast route while we discuss the historic landmarks that have been built over it.

Along the route of this tour, you will learn the history of the Royal Ontario Museum, some of the major college buildings within the University of Toronto, Queen’s Park, the hospital and legal district, and conclude near the Eaton Centre. Come and walk along the shores of disappeared Taddle Creek, and learn about what’s been built on top of it!

Things You will Need to Know about this Tour

It begins at the Alexandra Gates, on the south side of Bloor, immediately west of Avenue Road and the Royal Ontario Museum. The gates are pictured on the left.
It takes about two hours and is conducted entirely outdoors.
It is not circular, it does not finish back where it starts. The closest subway station to the start is either “Saint George” or “Museum”. The closest subway station to the ending point is “Queen”. Both the starting and stopping points are very close to the subway.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO CALL AHEAD BEFORE COMING ON ANY OF TOURS, TO CONFIRM TOUR AVAILABILITY. AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT BY CHECKING WITH US BEFORE THE TOUR BEGINS.

If you have any more questions, just ask!

Dates & TIMES 2008

Tuesdays at 6.00 p.m.
Saturdays at 4.00 p.m.

This tour is available throughout the entire 2008 calendar year. REMEMBER, if it is not scheduled for when you want to do it, just let us know, and we’ll change our schedule just for you!