So cool to see it today. As a kid, we lived in a house on Marshfield Ct in the 1950s and 60s which was to your left on your way between Overland Dr and Lawrence. We went to school at Overland Dr public school on the “other side of the tracks” so there was a level crossing for the sidewalk where we crossed the tracks from one section of Overland Dr to the other. There were freight trains on that line quite regularly and we had one spectacular incident during a dry summer when a train touched off a fire in the dry grass along the track. All the homeowners that backed onto the track used their hoses to keep the fire out of their yards until the real firefighters arrived. As kids, we used to play in the grassy border along the tracks which is now completely overgrown in your video. Below the Overland Dr crossing there were lots of little spurs off the line into the light industrial buildings along the southern part of Overland Dr. Your mention of Leaside Station also touched off a memory. In 1967, the Centennial Train made a stop there and parked on a siding. My mother took my brother and I down to take a walk through the displays they had inside the train cars. There was a small stand in the parking lot and they were giving away free Dixie cups of Wink samples if you told them what you thought of the taste - it was a pre-launch consumer trial of the new pop. Don’t know why that particular thing stuck in my 9-year old head but it did. Thanks for the memories.
You missed another hidden gem... about the point/place where you saw the rabbit there is a hidden fort in the bushes. I assume it was built by the construction worker when they built the trail as it is a really well built fort using heavy rocks, gravel rocks and skids. I biked past it for 2 years before one day walking the trail being a little more observant and noticed the gravel road leading into the fort.
The rail trail itself ends at York Mills. I think I know which trail you mean - through Betty Sutherland Park - and that one isn't a rail trail. But I'll keep it in mind!
I'm really surprised and slightly embarrassed because this trail runs near the area where I grew up (Parkwoods Village) and this is the first I've seen of it. I live downtown now and I have been riding the trails in city for my whole life. I guess I have some more exploring to do. Thanks for this!
Steve: Have you explored the Don Branch rail line connecting downtown (Union Station) to Leaside, and adjacent to the Brick Works? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the line will be revived for a Peterborough/Ottawa route.
I remember cycling the trail near the southern end and it would smell of peppermint and no peppermint vegetation to be found. A year later I found out that the Wrigley company was there and sadly they closed.
Thanks for the nostalgia and most interesting video too.
I walked those tracks back in the 70's when the tracks were intact and still serving the factories...
Thanks for this!
So cool to see it today. As a kid, we lived in a house on Marshfield Ct in the 1950s and 60s which was to your left on your way between Overland Dr and Lawrence. We went to school at Overland Dr public school on the “other side of the tracks” so there was a level crossing for the sidewalk where we crossed the tracks from one section of Overland Dr to the other. There were freight trains on that line quite regularly and we had one spectacular incident during a dry summer when a train touched off a fire in the dry grass along the track. All the homeowners that backed onto the track used their hoses to keep the fire out of their yards until the real firefighters arrived. As kids, we used to play in the grassy border along the tracks which is now completely overgrown in your video. Below the Overland Dr crossing there were lots of little spurs off the line into the light industrial buildings along the southern part of Overland Dr. Your mention of Leaside Station also touched off a memory. In 1967, the Centennial Train made a stop there and parked on a siding. My mother took my brother and I down to take a walk through the displays they had inside the train cars. There was a small stand in the parking lot and they were giving away free Dixie cups of Wink samples if you told them what you thought of the taste - it was a pre-launch consumer trial of the new pop. Don’t know why that particular thing stuck in my 9-year old head but it did. Thanks for the memories.
Great job as usual! So glad for the new path, as the Scarsdale porttion of the Don trail was always a downer.
You missed another hidden gem... about the point/place where you saw the rabbit there is a hidden fort in the bushes. I assume it was built by the construction worker when they built the trail as it is a really well built fort using heavy rocks, gravel rocks and skids. I biked past it for 2 years before one day walking the trail being a little more observant and noticed the gravel road leading into the fort.
Are you going to continue on the trail where it is accessible at Duncan Mill Road?
The rail trail itself ends at York Mills. I think I know which trail you mean - through Betty Sutherland Park - and that one isn't a rail trail. But I'll keep it in mind!
😁🙏 please 🥺 @@notsmoothsteve
🔥🔥🔥👈
I'm really surprised and slightly embarrassed because this trail runs near the area where I grew up (Parkwoods Village) and this is the first I've seen of it. I live downtown now and I have been riding the trails in city for my whole life. I guess I have some more exploring to do. Thanks for this!
gonna bike this week... thanks for telling me where the entrance is to the upper portion.
Steve: Have you explored the Don Branch rail line connecting downtown (Union Station) to Leaside, and adjacent to the Brick Works? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the line will be revived for a Peterborough/Ottawa route.
Great videos.FYI the trail is being extended north of York Mills. Exiting just north of Dollarama on Leslie.
oh well it ain't
Always make sure traffic has stopped before crossing Lawrence Avenue. Lots of red light runners.
I remember cycling the trail near the southern end and it would smell of peppermint and no peppermint vegetation to be found. A year later I found out that the Wrigley company was there and sadly they closed.
haha, that's kinda funny.
I know where I stand with the sign with the googly eyes.