Westward Ho! Walking Along The Westway and Westward on Chapman Creek

In an earlier post, I explored the eastern portion of Chapman Creek and Ravine.  I’ve also come across references to it known as the Humber Creek, Little Humber Creek, and as Sturgeon Creek.  But the creek doesn’t begin at Royal York Road.  It actually appears to begin between Kipling and Islington Avenues.  A lovely portion of the creek runs between Islington Avenue and Royal York Road.  Here the trek isn’t so strenuous.  A park runs along the entire stretch of the creek between these two roads and the creek is a little more accessible to the urban wanderer. 

I started my journey at Islington, where the creek meets the road.  It runs underneath Islington to the east. Here is it is hidden off the west side of the street in a deep narrow ravine, dense and tangled with trees and bushes.  It was very hard to see and it actually looked quite dry there.  

The creek is in there somewhere...

To make a nice circuit, I travelled south to The Westway.  It is a long stretch here with little to see but tall fences.  Very few residences actually front Islington at this stretch of street.  The Westway is where the fun begins. This is a winding road that runs from Martin Grove Road to Royal York Road, where it becomes Lawrence Avenue.  It is a quiet residential stretch that bends and curves gracefully and climbs and dips over hills.  It is a fun road to drive because of this, and a good way to avoid the traffic on Dixon or Eglinton, and it is certainly a fun walk for all the same reasons.  The street is tree lined and fronted by a strong mix homes from the post-war housing boom to new construction.  Closer to Islington the homes are quainter and older trees line the street.  Had the street been designed in a straight line, it would be a short walk.  But its meandering, light traffic flow and small town feel makes for a lovely stroll.  As you get closer to Royal York road, the road becomes hilly and creates a little bit of a challenge.  It’s also hotter in the summer; newer homes in light coloured brick line this stretch, rammed against the curb, changing the feel of the neighbourhood.  Large paved drives, matching bricked over yards and no trees have created a sun bake which is uncomfortable in the summer.  Thankfully, though you don’t have to swelter for long. 

The creek makes it's way under Royal York Road

Close to where the Westway meets Royal York lies a strip of park land, creating a small oasis of green along Chapman Creek.  To the south of Westway, Valleyfield Park stretches out diagonally to Royal York, with a paved path to lead you there.  It ends kitty-corner to Douglas B. Ford Park.  It is a bit of an alley way, running behind large homes, hemmed in by iron fencing on one side and the creek on the other.  

On the south side of The Westway, the path is tidy and inviting.

To the North of Westway, beginning behind a large cemetery, runs a path which I have never been able to figure out if it is the start of Alex Marchetti Park, or if it is just an alleyway.  The southerly entrance to the park is a little creepy.  The path, while paved, is worn down and is starting to be overcome at the edges by vegetation.  Given that there is a high school a block away, when the weather is good and the leaves on the trees provide more cover, it is a favourite place for young teenage boys to hide out and do pot while cutting classes or during their lunch breaks.  

On the north side of The Westway, nature is slowly taking over and the sense of foreboding is strong.

Fortunately, it is not a long stretch.  The creek here runs gently and at a footbridge that crosses it there are always ducks.  

You lose the path for a short stretch here, there is a grassy park with playground equipment, but if you follow the treeline westerly you will see another little footbridge that takes you back over the creek.  Again, you walk through a short stretch that doesn’t quite feel safe, it’s treed and feels isolated.  There is a surprising amount of foot traffic here, mostly locals taking a shortcut to a nearby grocery store on Royal York.  A five minute walk will find a path to the North that leads to Dixington Crescent.  If you skip this and continue on, you will enter Alex Marchetti Park.  This park was recently upgraded thanks to some fundraising efforts of local moms.  It was previously known as Sun Row Park, but was named after a local city councillor who passed away in 2007.  It has quite a large expanse of open space and is surrounded by trees, a few homes and the creek.  It has two very odd hills.  The one closest to the playground is dirt that was brought in when the upgraded the park and it was allowed to grass over, but a second very large hill at the west end of the park has always puzzled me.  It has never seemed natural.  The path along here runs very close to the creek, but it can be hard to make out in places because of the dense bushes and trees. 

A word to the wise, there are a number of apartment buildings nearby and many of the tenants bring their dogs here in the evening.  Despite the fact that there is a playground close by, many give their dogs free run off leash in the park. 

We hit Islington in short order and made our way home, two tired dogs happy from their adventure.   

Useful Information:

•  Duration of Walk:  Roughly one hour (based on short legs, picture taking and doggy care)
• Difficulty:  MEDIUM The parks are fine and level and paved.  The stretch along The Westway is also paved however it is hilly and could provide some challenge, especially to those with mobility issues.  
• Parking/Getting There:  There is parking at Valleyfield park, next to the tennis courts. Otherwise take the TTC.  37 Islington from Islington subway station will get you there fine and you can get off at The Westway or at Dixon.  You can also take the 58 Malton from the Lawrence West Station, although that's a very long bus ride.  Get off at Islington and go south.  
• Washrooms:  No.    
• Local Coffee Haunts:  No.   
•  Safety Factor: MEDIUM - Walk during the day when there is a lot of foot traffic.
• Special Equipment:  No, this is mostly a residential walk
• Suitable for Dogwalking?: Absolutely.  Always on a leash.  

He's Mister 20 Below

Old Snow Miser was singing his song today.   Everything was frosty and bitter.  Three layers on the bottom, four on the top, hat and scarf and a pair of too small mittens as I had to send my gloves to school with an absent minded child who has probably left 10 pairs of gloves and mittens at school so far this year.  I do have to say that my new boots did their job.  One pair of socks and my feet were comfortable and they seemed to keep their grip too.  I had two dogs to walk this morning and no access to my car which meant a half hour walk each way to the other pup's house on top of the hour that they pay me for.   My pup was not appreciative of the all business attitude of today's trek.  Kept him on a short lease to keep him from pulling me all over the place on the ice that has glassed the paved surfaces and to ensure that we were actually walking instead of stopping every two seconds to check out the smells. Too cold for smells.  Ears were pulled back in resentment, but he was good and, after slipping himself a few times, I think he figured out what the issue was.  Mr. Whippet was not interested in doing much more than his business and high-tailed it back to his house in short order.  He wasn't even in the mood to play and run in the backyard for a bit which is what I usually let them do after a walk.  I'd like to wax on about what I saw or did, but alas the sky was grey, it was horribly cold, and I spent most of the time staring vigilantly at the ground watching for ice.  Ah! Canadian Winter!  May it be short this year.  Would have given anything to have a hot chocolate when I got home, but that's off the menu, at least for the time being.

After Christmas, I am finding lined pants, long underwear, snow pants and a balaclava.  Have a lot of winter walking ahead of me and am determined to be warm.  

First Snow

Last Monday was welcomed with the first real snow of the year.  The first snow is always so soft and gentle and fluffy.  It covers the world in a pure velvet blanket.  The light of the world is softer, hazier.  All is quiet and hushed.  It’s a charmer, warming the hearts of even the most hardened winter haters; it lulls you into a false sense that maybe all will be well.  It makes you forget all the deep freezes, slush, snow dumps and back breaking labour of the dark winter to come. 

Dogs, in particular, love the first snow.  They get right into it.  They frisk and strain at the ends of their leashes.  They paw it, lick it, eat it, snorfle their noses right into it and throw their faces to the sky, chins heavy with snowbeards.  They kick it up with their feet, they swish it with their tails, they roll and scamper and love it.  Their lives are not disrupted by it (unless they get walked less).  They seem to thrive in the cold.  They are invigorated by it and embrace it.  You can’t help but feel a little of their excitement. 

I dreaded going out.  As pretty as it was, I am most whole-heartedly not a winter soul.  But I had warm boots, coat, hat, gloves and two dogs that were dependent on me to get out there and trudge in the damn stuff.  I anticipated that it would be blisteringly cold, but it was actually pleasant.  Even the best of walkers get lazy or put out if there’s a change in the routine.  Best to adopt the attitudes of the dogs and deal with whatever Mother Nature dishes out with a little fun.  If life gives you snow, throw on your boots and kick up your heels.

Now if only I could feel that same attitude when I get served up a heaping helping of extreme cold like we have today...

Walking in a Different Direction

Today's walk with the boys was short and sweet, since it was cold and rainy and I had yet another doctor appointment.  We did the obligatory hour that I got paid for and nothing more.  In fact if the new guy had had his way it would only have been a half hour walk.  He's a sensitive little soul and likes his comforts.  We stuck around his neighbourhood and it was mostly a "scratch and sniff" session.  If you have a dog you know what I'm talking about, you don't really do a lot of walking, mostly just standing while they nose about and sniff whatever it is they find so darn fascinating on the ground, around fence posts, each other's butts.  I'm pleased to report that they had a good enough time and it must have been sufficient as my fellow is plum tuckered out and curled up on his bed, all fluffy and content-like.  

While I was standing around letting them do their thing, I had plenty of time to mope around and feel sorry for myself.  I got some bad news at the Doctor's office yesterday.  Not end of the world kind of stuff but something that is going to seriously change how I live.  Turns out that there's a strong possibility that I have a food allergy or intolerance.  It's something that I suspected but didn't want to hear.  I fancy myself a bit of a gastronome, most who know me would agree that I definitely do like my eats 'n drinks.  So the thought of cutting out huge swathes of food that I really, really love from my diet was really a tad depressing.  Just in time for the holiday season I've been put on a strict elimination diet.  While everyone else will be stuffing their faces with chocolates, cheese, cookies, and candy, i'll be eating, well, rice.  And more rice.  It didn't really hit me how hard it was going to be until I opened the cupboard this morning for breakfast.  Out of a full pantry, three cupboards, a full fridge and upright freezer I can eat the following:  apples, oranges, a pommello, rice, orange juice, some tetra pak soymilk, and a can of chickpeas.  

But when I was back at the Doctor's office this morning for some different tests I just came to the realization that this is just an obstacle in the path.  I can choose to curl up in fetal position in my own little pity party or I can choose to just walk in a different direction and deal with the notion that path I wanted to follow is closed.  Maybe this new one will be better.  And perhaps I should walk myself over the grocery store...