By James Rayner
Sometimes we don’t realize how lucky we are to be living in Etobicoke beside one of Canada’s designated historic rivers, the Humber. This stream and its valley have served as a transportation route for First Nations and, later, European explorers, from Lake Ontario north to the Holland River and then to Georgian Bay. In our time, it has been diminished in volume because of deforestation but it serves as a beautiful recreation trail where city dwellers can enjoy all the benefits of walking or biking in nature. Recently, the Walking Club took a stroll up the river from Étienne Brûlé Park up to James Gardens and back.
It was raining when we got to the parking lot but the rain soon stopped and we enjoyed a cloudy but dry day.
Because of the recent rain, there was a good flow in the river. This is one of the weirs built to keep lamprey eels from swimming upstream, and which the spawning salmon have to climb.
Along the way, there were many beautiful trees displaying their autumn colours.
We came across a bench and a young tree which are memorials to a loved one. Somebody takes great care of these – as shown here.
The pedestrian bridge built on the piers of the former interurban electric Radial railway which leads to the Lambton Woods gives a good view through the Canadian Pacific Railway trestle of some of the trees.
In the Lambton Woods, sections of the path are covered in colourful leaves.
The leaves form a beautiful mosaic.
Here is a view looking south from Magwood Park toward the houses on The Kingsway. The oaks and maples are just starting to change colour.
The Bâby Point section of the trail offered its own colours for us to enjoy.
Along the way, we met some wildlife:
In spite of the soggy start to the walk, it was a beautiful experience and we were glad to have defied the weather and not stayed home. It’s not too late for others to enjoy this colourful walk, so why not give it a try? Maybe the weather will be nicer for you.
Probus Club of Kingsway-Islington 