It’s hard to believe that March Break is already here. Whether or not you have kids bouncing off the walls heading into the break, this week always reminds us that spring is right around the corner and there is so much for us to enjoy right in our own backyards. In this week’s E-Blast, I’m sharing some of my favourite things to do in Don Valley North and information about March Break activities the whole family can enjoy. Let’s get right into it!
EXPLORING OUR PARKS & RAVINES
I couldn’t start off a column about the best things to do in Don Valley North without talking about our incredible ravine system and network of parks. As the weather starts to warm up, it’s the perfect time to take a hike or leisurely bike ride along one of our multi-use trails. I want to remind cyclists to please travel at safe, pedestrian-friendly speeds and dismount your bikes in busy areas when using multi-use trails.
We’ve got German Mills Creek, Duncan Creek, the East Don Parkland, and Betty Sutherland Trail right in our own backyards. A hike through the ravine is the perfect way to get some fresh air, connect with nature, and appreciate the natural beauty of our city.
A scenic view from our local East Don Ravine.
We also have dozens of wonderful parks, many of which have been decked out with new playground equipment in the past few years. Some of my favourites are:
Bellbury Park
Parkway Forest Park
Ethennonnhawahstihnen’ Park
Pinto Park
Clydesdale Park
Elkhorn Parkette
Leslie Park
March Break is the perfect time to venture outside your neighbourhood and check out a park that’s a few blocks further from home than you might usually go. We have a number of parks with outdoor fitness and seniors’ fitness equipment, including Bellbury Park, Parkway Forest Park, Pleasantview Park, Shawnee Park, and Van Horne Park. You can also check out tennis and pickleball courts, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, outdoor table tennis tables, and more.
COMMUNITY CENTRES
If you missed the chance to register your kids for a March Break CampTO, don’t fret! You can still register for some of the City’s March Break day camps, which include everything from indoor and outdoor games to arts & crafts, sports, and nature-based activities.
Our community centres also host dozens of fantastic drop-in programs for all ages, including swimming, skating, basketball, volleyball, floor and ball hockey, arts classes, yoga, and more! Our local community centres here in Don Valley North are:
Cummer Park (6000 Leslie St)
Seneca Village (1700 Finch Ave E)
Pleasant View (545 Van Horne Ave)
Oriole (2975 Don Mills Rd W)
Parkway Forest (55 Forest Manor Rd)
Ethennonnhawahstihnen’ (100 Ethennonnhawahstihnen' Ln)
You can find a handy map with the drop-in program listings here:
FARMS, ZOOS, & WILDLIFE ADVENTURES
Many folks don’t know that Toronto has not just one, but four zoos and farms that you can explore this March Break. If you want to make a trip to another part of the city, you can check out the scenic grounds at Riverdale Farm (which some of us remember as Toronto’s first zoo, operating until 1974) or the High Park Animal Display, which includes everything from llamas and peacocks to highland cattle and emus. Both are free to enjoy and are open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.
The capybaras at High Park Zoo.
The Toronto Zoo is also putting on a number of fun family events all March Break long, and extending their admission hours to 9:30 AM to 6 PM daily.
MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
Almost all of us know about the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), and Ontario Science Centre, all of which run fantastic March Break programs. But did you know that the City also runs a number of Toronto History Museums? This March Break, they’re offering a number of fun, interactive and exciting activities. Participants can prepare a traditional recipe in a historic kitchen, create a handwoven project, print a picture book, sample Indigenous foods, enjoy an interactive drumming session and so much more! Many of these events and activities are free, while some require tickets. Check out the full list of events below:
TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Finally, I couldn’t write a column on the best things to check out in Don Valley North this March Break without shouting out our fabulous public libraries. Toronto Public Library is hosting over 250 events for all ages this March Break, including magic and puppet shows, Henna art, and other arts & craft activities. Here in Don Valley North, you can check out:
Fairview Library recently re-opened to the public, but has limited programming due to the ongoing renovation of the third floor.
Whether you want to adventure outside, try out a new activity, or explore a new neighbourhood, there’s no shortage of things to do in Don Valley North this March Break. So get out there and enjoy everything our city has to offer!
Ethennonnhawahstihnen' Community Recreation Centre & Library Grand Opening
Mark your calendars! The Grand Opening of the Ethennonnhawahstihnen' Community Centre & Library is coming up on March 23rd at 10:00 AM.We are honoured to have representatives from the Huron-Wendat Nation, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and Six Nations of the Grand River in attendance.There will be cultural performances and free activities for the whole family including swimming, face painting, cultural performances, fitness classes.For those of you who haven't been, the community centre is located at 100 Ethennonnhawahstihnen' Lane, behind Bessarion TTC Station.Learn more at the link below:
I also want to share a video I made a few years back to help Don Valley Northerners and residents across Toronto learn how to pronounce Ethennonnhawahstihnen'. You can watch the video below: