Lost Rivers Toronto
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The Lost Rivers Project has mapped the streams and waterways buried by urban development in Toronto.
It's all about a way of understanding the city in a new framework, that of urban ecosystems and watersheds. The Toronto Green Community, in partnership with the Toronto Field Naturalists and many other local groups, provides guided hikes along the buried stream courses in Toronto. Looked at the city from a watershed perspective, we can make the connections from our own backyards to the lake in a very direct way. Our goal is to encourage creative approaches to solving the many environmental problems of urban areas, from small steps like turning off the tap while brushing teeth to grander visions of "day-lighting" creeks or restoring the health of our entire watershed. The objective of Lost River Walks is to help people appreciate the intimate connections between the water systems that form an essential part of their lives. We also take people on a fascinating journey into our history. Since 1995, over 15,000 people have participated in the Lost River Walks, which are a part of the Ontario Legacy Trail Program, a designation that recognizes the walks as one of the 24 best walking programs or trail systems in the province. The "Lost Rivers Walks" are a joint project of The Toronto Green Community, The Toronto Field Naturalists and community partners including Hike Ontario. The "Lost River Walks" are an official Ontario Legacy Trail, and has been voted one of the 24 best walking programs / trail systems in the province. Lost Rivers respectfully acknowledges that we are on the traditional territory of many First Nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabek, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. Toronto is also covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississauga and Chippewa bands. Today, Toronto is a home and meeting place for Indigenous people from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to be on this land – Chi Miigwetch, Kinanaskomitin, Nia:wen, Maarsi, Yaw^ko, Tiawenhk.
07/01/2026
The value of trees. Christie Pits Park, June 28, 2026.
06/29/2026
Last Saturday, Lost Rivers hosted a walk: 'Lost Creeks of Mimico-Discovering D'eath (Dee-eth) Creek'. The creek name is not as ominous as it sounds. It is the family name of settlers who lived and farmed along this tributary of Mimico Creek.
The walk, led by Julia Pyryeskina and John Wilson took us up along this beautiful waterway where we heard stories of Toronto's geology, hydrology as well as First Nation and settler history.
We were joined by a very engaged group of participants from across the city. A few locals supplied their knowledge of the surrounding communities as well as nearby flood mitigation challenges.
Thxs to Floyd Ruskin for his added insights and walk support.
If you would like to receive advanced notice of future Lost Rivers events, please follow us on Eventbrite.
Looking for maps and info on 'lost' creeks in your neighbourhood, visit our website: www.lostrivers.ca
06/22/2026
On a glorious first day of summer, Paul Overy and Cayla Gray led us on a beautiful walk along Toronto's eastern waterfront from Rouge Hill GO Station and up lower Highland Creek.
We learned through wonderful tales, the forces that formed the north shore of Lake Ontario, through both Indigenous and settler history and on to today's suburban neighbourhoods.
Always front and centre was the beauty of our lakefront as well as the Highland Creek valley.
Thanks to Floyd Ruskin for the walk support and added insights.
From the east and on to the west, our next Lost Rivers walk is Saturday June 27 along Mimico Creek. Register for your free ticket at:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/lost-creeks-of-mimico-discovering-death-creek-tickets-1992070651945
www.lostrivers.ca
05/18/2026
We had a capacity crowd on a glorious Sunday afternoon walk to discover 'lost' Moutray Creek in the Brockton neighbourhood.
While now unseen, Moutray a tributary (of a tributary) of Garrison Creek to the east and made its mark on the topography of the area with todays curved streets and elevation changes.
Walk leaders Helen Mills and Adam Wynne used the course of both Moutray and Dennison Creeks to highlight both First Nation and settler history. With engaing narratives of the Brock and Dennsion families, we learned how this area was developed.
Many thanks to Lost Rivers' Paul Overy and Floyd Ruskin for the added insights and walk support.
www.lostrivers.ca
If you would like to receive advanced notice of future Lost Rivers events, please follow us on Eventbrite
04/20/2026
A day of mixed weather of sun, cloud, rain and some hail/sleet didn't deter the capacity group on Sunday's Lost Rivers walk at Corktown Commons.
Led by LR's John Wilson and Rene Fan along with Amy Zubick of the Distillery District Community Association, we learned of the past history, the work to safeguard the area and downtown east from flooding and the future of community involvement to maintain an ecological balance to this beautiful and functional park.
Thxs to Lost Rivers Paul Overy and Floyd Ruskin for the walk support and additional insights.
Lost Rivers will have a table at two EcoFairs next weekend.
Come visit us at Todmorden Mills Historic site on Saturday April 25 11-4 or on Sunday April 26 at the Brickworks.
Lots of maps, photos and discussion of Toronto's unseen waterways.
Mark your calendar for our next LR walk on Sunday May 3- Water, Industry and Restoration in the Don Valley 10-12:30
Details and registration coming soon.
www.lostrivers.ca
04/13/2026
Lost Rivers joined ReGgen Toronto and Water Docs on Sunday to bring Biinaagami’s giant floor map of the Great Lakes to the Brick Works.
The map...it really is giant, was a great way to experience the augmented reality (AR) storytelling hotspots that will transport you beyond the water’s edge and into its depths.
The interactive talk with Katie Doreen of Canadian Geographic and Gregary Ford of Swim Drink Fish Canada engaged us all.
An initiative of those two organizations and guided by a sharing circle of Elders, Biinaagami aims to rebuild just and healthy relations between wildlife, people and place in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence watershed.
Biinaagami means pure, clean water. Biinaagami aims to rebuild just and healthy relations between wildlife, people and place in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence watershed.
Lost Rivers has a lot planned for Earth Month and beyond.
Sunday April 19 2-4 Corktown Commons walk;
Saturday April 25 11-4 EcoFair at Todmorden Historic site;
Sunday April 26 11-4 EcoFair at the brickworks;
Saturday May 2 2-4 Garrison Creek walk with Lost Rivers and Toronto Field Naturalists;
Sunday May 3 10-12:30 Water, Industry and Restoration in the Don Valley as our contribution to the annual Jane's Walk Toronto Festival
Stay tuned here on Facebook or follow us on Eventbrite for details
04/02/2026
Lost Rivers will be at Evergreen Brickworks for Walk the Great Lakes for Earth Month
Come visit us at our table on
Sunday, April 12, 1:00 to 2:30
At Evergreen Brick Works in the BMO Atrium
550 Bayview Ave., Toronto
WALK the GREAT LAKES for EARTH MONTH
ReGgen Toronto and Water Docs are bringing Biinaagami’s giant floor map of the Great Lakes to the Brick Works. Walk the map to experience the augmented reality (AR) storytelling hotspots that will transport you beyond the water’s edge and into its depths.
Join us for an interactive talk with Katie Doreen of Canadian Geographic and Gregary Ford of Swim Drink Fish. An initiative of those two organizations and guided by a sharing circle of Elders, Biinaagami aims to rebuild just and healthy relations between wildlife, people and place in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence watershed.
Biinaagami means pure, clean water. Biinaagami aims to rebuild just and healthy relations between wildlife, people and place in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence watershed.
Trace the steps of an Anishinaabe Water Walker as she welcomes you to the Great Lakes-St.Lawrence watershed. Marvel at the vibrant, deepening blues of the lakes’ bathymetry as you walk along their flowlines. Soak up the diverse languages that came to life on the lands and waters and read the names of waterbodies in those original names. See how the land is being used among the network of waterways that flow across the landscape and whose land they flow through. Find the places most special to you — and be inspired by all the places you could go.
Register to join us!
Walk the Great Lakes! | 3Common Presented by Regenerating Toronto [https://www.regentoronto.org/] & Water Docs[https://]as part of the Evergreen Brick Works'Earth Month Sunday Seriesat the BMO Atrium, Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave, TorontoJoin us for an interactive talk with Katie Kaia’ton:ni Doreen of CanadianGeographic and Greg...
03/09/2026
Lost Rivers led a walk on Sunday to recognize International Women's Day. It was a beautiful early spring day where the sidewalks seem to be wider as the snow and ice are finally gone.
Our route followed a portion of buried Russell Creek through the Grange, Chinatown and Kensington Market neighbourhoods.
Starting at St Patrick Square, where the question was put- "how do you feel about Indigenous land acknowledgements"...it was a novel way to approach recognition.
The capacity walk was led by Helen Mills and Adam Wynne with guest speakers Arlene Chan, Ceta Ramkhalawansingh and Councillor Dianne Saxe.
Ceta spoke to her long time commitment to civic activism and ongoing community engagement led by women in her community.
Arlene related stories of her mother-Jean Lum, a pioneer advocate for women's rights and the Asian community in Toronto.
Dianne told us about her family and the Jewish presence and social activism in the Spadina/Kensington neighbourhoods.
Helen wrapped it up with her experiences in the early stages of the women's rights movement centered in the Kensington area.
Thanks to Paul, Kathy and Floyd for keeping everyone safe and together on busy, crowded downtown streets.
Visit the Lost Rivers website at: www.lostrivers.ca
If you would like to receive advanced notice of future Lost Rivers events, please follow us on Eventbrite at:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/lost-rivers-29447554985
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Toronto, ON