Evergreen Brick Works Guide

For most of a century, the Don Valley Brick Works dug clay from the valley wall and fired it into bricks, many of which ended up in Toronto's houses and public buildings. The works closed in the 1980s, and what remained was turned into Evergreen Brick Works, a place that blends heritage buildings, gardens, a market and trails. It is a quieter and more unusual outing than a standard museum, and it suits people who like to see how a city reuses its past.

What you see

The long sheds, with their open sides and exposed brick, are the heart of the site. Some have been converted for markets, cafés and events, and others are left deliberately raw so you can see the old kilns and chimneys. The old clay pit is now a series of planted terraces and ponds, the Weston Family Quarry Garden among them, and the contrast of rusty industry and native planting is the best photograph on the site.

A farmers' market runs on a weekly basis and is the busiest time to visit. Programming varies with the season, from planting and seasonal family events to craft fairs, so check the official site before you set out. A quiet weekday suits the walking better; a market day suits food and people-watching.

Trails and the valley

The site sits at the head of a network of ravine paths, and the walks give the visit its purpose. Footpaths lead north and south along the valley, through wooded slopes that feel far removed from the street grid above. Wear proper shoes, since paths can be muddy after rain or icy in winter, and bring water. On a clear autumn day, with the maples turning, this is one of the best low-effort walks in the city.

Cyclists will find it an easy ride along the valley, and joggers treat it as a local circuit. The mix of casual visitors and dog walkers gives it a lived-in feel that more polished attractions lack. Birdwatchers also come for the wetland planting and the valley's seasonal migrants, so a pair of binoculars is rarely wasted. Early mornings tend to be the calmest, with soft light across the quarry pond and few people about.

Getting there

This is not a stop you slot between downtown sights. From Broadview or Bloor-Yonge stations the journey needs a bus or a walk, and the route can change, so confirm the current options on the official site and the TTC pages. For general route planning, see our getting around guide. Give it a half-day at least, and ideally pair it with an east-side afternoon in Leslieville or the Danforth, which are both a reasonable ride away.

Who it suits and what to skip

It suits families, photographers, cyclists and anyone interested in adaptive reuse. It is a weaker choice for a first-time visitor with only two days in the city; the harbour, the St. Lawrence Market and the Toronto Islands will give you more of the Toronto people expect. On a wet winter day it is not a strong indoor option, because much of the site is open to the air.

Come when you have time to walk, and treat the buildings as the start of the afternoon, not the whole of it. A sensible order is the sheds and gardens first, then a trail loop, then a late snack back at the site. Check the official map for the current trail connections, since the ravine paths and nearby road crossings can be altered by maintenance. If you want green space without leaving the city, the High Park guide covers a larger, more conventional alternative.