Summer Walks in Taylor Creek Park

Flat trail with a river, marsh, and forest

The park connects many neighbourhoods and parks. During the Covid-19 Lockdown, the Taylor-Creek Trail parking lots were closed, essentially making it a park for locals only. I heard from frequent walkers that the trails got quite busy at times, but the park is so large that social distancing is still achievable. 

Parking Lots Closed

Our last visit was May 27, 2020, and we were surprised to see that the parking lots were still closed. Many in the city are already open, but not here. The entry from Don Mills is also closed, but due to construction, not the pandemic.

Taylor-Creek Park Dawes Road Parking Lot

Donora Ravine

We parked on a nearby street and walked into the Taylor Creek Park through the Donora Park. 

map of Donara Ravine to Taylor Creek Park

Sign for Taylor Creek Park

Toronto Children's Theatre

This alternate route allowed us to discover the Children's Peace Theatre. According to their website, they are: 
a place where people come in, connect and interact and learn, cross pollinate their knowledge to scatter in many places, while more young people join in and spark new conversations — in a continuous cycle of new possibilities.
They are closed during Covid-19, but I hope they can open soon and once again provide their services to the community.
 
Goulding Estate near Taylor Creek Park

The house was initially known as the Goulding Estate. It was built in 1921 on the Dentonia Farm as a wedding gift to the granddaughter of Hart Massey. The Massey family is known for farm equipment (Massey-Fergurson) and as patrons of the arts (Massey Hall). See Hiking the GTA's Massey-Goulding Estate post for historical details.

Follow the path to the West Dawes Road parking lot. Read the signs to see what wildlife you might expect to see.

Taylor Creek Park sign

Use the underpass to get to the other side of Dawes Road and enjoy the street art as you do.

Taylor-Massey Creek

Street art on underpass

You'll now be in the large parking lot on the east side of Dawes Road, where we would typically begin this hike. There are public washrooms in this area, but they are likely closed until the pandemic is over.

Natural Beauty at its Finest

Regardless of the season, the scenic river and surrounding trees make this park quite beautiful.

Beautiful creek in a forest

Blooming tree in Taylor Creek Park

This wasn't always the case, though. Less than 20 years ago, this area was one of the most polluted in the city. In 2003, the environmental group known as Friends of the Don East (FODE) began the Taylor-Massey Project to clean up and restore the interconnected water systems of Toronto. The restoration continues. It's worth a visit to see how your tax dollars are being used to make Toronto as connected to nature as possible.

Cycling

Along the path, you'll see signs for cyclists, so you'll quickly realize that this is a "bike highway," and you're likely to encounter cyclists traveling at high speeds. In parks like this, I highly recommend that you keep your dog on a leash.

Signs for cycling paths along Taylor Creek.

Unpaved trail

If you walk on the side of the river where the paths are unpaved, you'll think you're on the "dog highway." This is an unofficial off-leash area, and you're likely to meet many dogs on even the shortest walk.


Dogs running in Taylor Creek Park

Mountain bikers and joggers like the unpaved routes as well, so be cautious regardless of where you are.

Trail details

Walk west along the paved path until the first bridge. Cross the bridge and continue going west along an unpaved trail. Keep the river to your left. On this side of the trail, you may find opportunities to let your dog run off-leash. The creek seems clean and is easily accessible, so if your dog likes getting wet, that's likely going to happen.

Dogs swimming in Taylor Creek

For a 5 km loop, continue along the river until the path turns into a bridge. Cross the bridge and turn left on the paved trail in the direction you came.

Bridge in Taylor Creek Park

Marsh Life

This area is a wetland filled with life that you may wish to explore. 

Marshy pond filled with wetland life

We could hear the bullfrog's singing. This is a very loud croaking sound that I've seen described as a "bull-like bellow." The frogs are actually defending their territory during mating season. If you've never heard their sound before, it may scare you. It certainly made our dogs wonder what was going on!

American bullfrog during mating season

Don't forget to look up. I nearly missed this huge black-crowned night heron setting in a tree overlooking the wetlands.

Giant bird named black crowned heron hunting in a marsh

On your way back to Dawes Road, you'll go under the vast O'Connor Drive bridge. 

O'Connor Bridge from the Taylor Creek Trail in Toronto.

Social Distancing

It's not hard to keep a distance from other people while walking this wide trail. Some dogs carry around big sticks to be sure they stay safe.

Dog carrying a big stick

Coronavirus Treasures

Keep an eye out for painted rocks that are being left in the forest these days. 

Painted rock for coronavirus

Location: Taylor Creek Park, 260 Dawes Rd, East York, ON M4C 5C4, Canada

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