Blog  January 3, 2012

Toronto’s Don Valley trails are getting a facelift

A post and paddle fence on Milkman's Lane to protect fragile ravine slopes (Photo: Nicole Czorny)

In a world where cities are becoming increasingly congested and removed from nature, Toronto`s unique network of ravine trails are a haven for hikers, dog walkers, cyclists, joggers and urban wildlife.

The trails that surround Evergreen Brick Works follow the deep tributaries of the Don Valley Watershed, and often bear the brunt of heavy rainfall and resulting runoff.

This October, in an effort to deal with this issue, the City of Toronto’s Natural Environment and Community Programs section of Urban Forestry Services, and the TRCA, began trail improvements to Milkman`s Lane (located off South Drive, next to Craigleigh Gardens).

Connecting Toronto’s Rosedale neighbourhood to the Don Valley’s network of trails, the 130-year-old Milkman's Lane trail is surrounded by black cherry, hemlock, yellow birch, ironwood, the endangered butternut, oak and maple trees.

Unfortunately, many of Toronto’s most invasive plant species, like dog-strangling vine and garlic mustard, are also found here. 

Before restoration efforts began, the trail suffered from heavy off-trail traffic and soil compaction, leaving the ravine slopes in poor ecological health. The trail’s steep grade also led to severe erosion, causing dangerous gullies and large cracks to form after a heavey rainfall.

Before reconstruction: gulleys formed dangerous obstacles for bikers (Photo: City of Toronto)

The most dramatic change as part of restoration efforts is the slope of the trail, which has been resurfaced with a more gradual incline. Post and paddle fencing was also added to block access to the fragile ravine slopes, and to allow for the forest understory to regenerate.

Over the next five years, a restoration and planting program will help promote forest regeneration, stabilize the ravine forest slopes, and reduce the spread of invasive species throughout the trail system.

To learn more about the improvements being made to Toronto’s network of trails, check out The City of Toronto’s Natural Environment Trails Program.