Plans to extend our piece of natural paradise in the heart of Don Mills

Exciting news about the natural woodland in our neighborhood - The city is planning to extend the trail system through the Charles Sauriol Conservation Reserve all the way to Wilket Creek Park and then down to the waterfront.

Part of the city’s ten year capital works project is to develop a network of off-road paved trails throughout the city including a trail that will link the Charles Sauriol Conservation Reserve to the network of trails running south to the lakeshore and east from the Forks of the Don at Don Mills Road and the DVP, and will also link to interregional trails east of Toronto.

The plans are in place and the money ear-marked for the project. Completion is planned for 2019.

The Charles Sauriol Conservation Reserve is really like a private reserve just for our neighborhood. It’s an amazing space that can only be accessed via the park that lies south of Lawrence Avenue just east of the DVP or via Moccasin Trail Park. As you walk under the ‘rainbow bridge’ – visible to anyone who’s driven up the DVP just north of Wynford Drive – and wonder across the bridge you will find the main trail. If you turn left you’re heading north and will ultimately run into the Milne House – an abandoned, historic Gothic Revival farmhouse at the north end of the reserve.

On the way you’ll pass by one of the City’s Bird Flyways sites, a project created to enhance bird habitat along migratory corridors, and a small pond that is home to raccoons, beavers, mink, rabbit, fox, blue herons, turtles, salmon, deer, and a myriad of other native wildlife.

If, instead, you have turned right and head south you would follow the river through natural wetlands, past river views, under train trestles and around woodland until you wind up at the Wynford-Concorde neighborhood. There is a challenging trail here that will lead you up to the Tim Hortons at Wynford Drive and Concord Place.

Stop aggressive driving - you have the power

This is personal (I almost got hit backing out of my driveway this morning) but I have heard many other neighbours issuing the same complaint - there are too many aggressive drivers in our little neighbourhood.

You have the power to stop it!

We are a small neighbourhood, the posted speed is 40 km/hr. We, the community, asked for that. There are many children playing in the park and out and about on the roads and sidewalks. Lots of people walk around the neighbourhood, with and without dogs. It's what makes our neighbourhood great. We are also densly populated and need to make accommodation for each other. Running stop signs, whipping around corners, or just being a little too pushy are all asking for trouble.

Take the time to allow your neighbour to back out of a driveway. Tight parking situations mean that people are manouvering around tight corners and dealing with blind spots. Remember that the next time you see someone inching their way into traffic.

What to do if you spot aggressive driving

If you spot aggressive driving, the Toronto Police Service does have a way of reporting it. Go to https://webapp1.torontopolice.on.ca/dors/hit-run.html and follow the steps.

To report illegal parking, call 416-808-2222 (24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week).