Yesterday I discovered a new piece of my neighbourhood, which to me, is one of the best things about living in a city so large and diverse. I was on a Jane’s Walk of St. Clair West and the surrounding area (though it was more the surrounding area than St. Clair West itself) hosted by Jane’s Walk and NEAT (Newcomers Explore and Appreciate Toronto).
The day was sunny and warm, perfect for traversing the streets and making frequent stops to learn about the different features we encountered. Particularly notable to me was the stop at Hemingway House, an apartment complex named after former resident (and one of my favourite novelists) Ernest Hemingway. I had no idea he wrote briefly for the Toronto Star, and I will have to forgive the fact that he apparently despised Toronto.
The hosts of the walk discussed the area’s connections to Jane Jacobs, including the failed Spadina Expressway, and as we stood on the bridge overlooking Cedarvale Park we contemplated the devastating effect the expressway would have had on the environment and how it would have profoundly changed how we move around within the city. I feel very lucky that a group of passionate individuals believed in a different legacy for Toronto.
At Spadina House, the last stop on the tour, I was left with the sense that good city planning is vitally linked to building strong communities, and vice versa. Though the annual Jane’s Walks are over for another year, other groups throughout the city put on walks year round (eg. NEAT, who hosted this Jane’s Walk, and Lost River Walking Tours, and many others – just try googling it). You can also do a self-guided walk through the City of Toronto website. So what are you waiting for? Get to know your own neighbourhood today!