Have you ever wished you could hike somewhere hill-like near Toronto without actually leaving the GTA? Look no further than Evergreen Brick Works. It’s especially magical in the fall, when you can catch the autumn leaves changing with the Toronto skyline peeking out behind them.
Where It Is (and Why It’s Special)
Evergreen Brick Works is located at 550 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4W 3X8. What makes this spot unique is its history, where it was originally a working brick factory before it was transformed into the green space it is today. You can still see remnants of that past throughout the site, including miniature models showing what it originally looked like, which honestly makes we want to come back just to learn more. If you’re into history or nature (or both), they offer public site tours and audio tours if you’d rather explore at your own pace.
For more details, you can check out evergreen.ca directly.
Something’s Always Happening Here
One thing that sets this place apart is that there’s basically always something going on, every single weekend. Saturdays and Sundays bring a rotating lineup: the Farmers’ Market, the Ontario Artisan Market, the Ontario Vintage Market, or, once winter rolls around, the Winter Market and free public skating.
The Farmers’ Market is the real standout, though, because it runs all year round, semi outdoors when the weather’s warm, and moved indoors once it gets cold.The hours depends with the seasons too: when I visited in October, it was still running on summer hours – 8am to 1pm, and it usually doesn’t transition indoors until early November and the winter hours changed to 9am to 1pm. Every time I’ve visited for a hike, there’s been something happening alongside it: a school field trip, private events, a market morning if I managed to wake up early enough, or one of those site and audio tours. It’s a nice way to support the local community consistently, rather than just during peak season.
One thing to take into account – it is better not to hike the hillier trails in winter as snow and ice could make the path slippery. Thus, you should stick to the flat roads leading through the park if you plan to visit the place during colder season.
Why I Keep Coming Back in the Fall
Fall is my time of year to visit this place. It’s getting colder, leaves begin to change colour, and there is no snow on the ground yet, which means the paths are very passable. In the end, when the trip is done, you are rewarded with the amazing view of Toronto skyline, and believe me, I will never get tired of the reward after having been in nature. Add to that the brick factory past of the area and you will understand why I always have an excuse to visit again.
Getting There
The most amazing thing about Evergreen Brick Works is that they have a free shuttle bus which is really an amazing way for those who don’t want to take a car or public transport. The bus runs from Broadview Station, and this is a really quick ride. You can also travel by subway to Davisville Station and then change to bus No. 28.
For people who prefer to travel using their own car, parking lots are also provided, though it’s important to note that peak times like the Farmers’ Market may have more people and cars parked than usual, and there might be a fee for some parking spots.
Final Thoughts
Whichever way you choose to experience your trip to Evergreen Brick Works, there will always be something for you – a walk, a market, a tour, or even just enjoying the scenery. This place is special because here you can truly feel like you are away from the city among nature.
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