Sun, May 25 2014 - Doors Open Toronto - Downtown Lakeshore (8 km) (View Original Event Details)
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The weather was beautiful for Doors-Open Toronto, 25C & sunny.
Utkarsh & I, Elizabeth, co-coordinated and divided the group. We went in different directions. I left with sixteen people and he had ten people. This is my report.
We started at Bay & Front at the Union Bus Terminal and went south to near Yonge & Queen's Quay for the Paddle Boat. After a little time searching, a ferry dock employee told us that this tour was cancelled. We walked west to the Waterfront Gangways and toured The Rosemary & Mariposa. The former is their smallest tour boat and the latter is their largest one. The Captain of the Mariposa made himself available to tell us about "driving the boat" and also to answer questions. It was very interesting. We were not able to tour the Tall Ship as it was preparing for a cruise. At Harbourfront Centre we did a quick tour of the Craft & Design Studio and saw people "blowing glass". They were very good but it was very hot because the oven doors were open. The other tours had not started yet, so we left.
Next, we went to the John St Roundhouse & Steam Whistle Brewing on Bremmer. We got a beer sample but were unable to take the tour because the line-up was too long. We went next door to the Toronto Historical Railway Society's Railway Museum. They were refurbishing two old cars, the Cape Race built of wood in the 1920's, and the second built in the 1950's. Outside, the "turntable" had already been restored and cars can be turned 180 degrees so they can turn around. We toured a diesel engine car, a caboose that was also restored, and the Railway Control Building.
We got a tour of the Toronto Police Marine Unit. They explained that they are responsible for all bodies of water, Lake Ontario to Niagara Falls, to the U.S. border, and west, covering a very large district. They are also responsible for rivers & lakes. They had a unit today doing a search at Grenadier Pond in High Park. This Marine Unit has 20+ water vehicles including a 1939 mahogany motor boat that is now only used to transport dignitaries for special occasions.
Next, we went west to the Fire Marine Station 334. Pieway & Joanne sat in a fire truck... :) The William Lyon MacKenzie was in the harbour but we didn't get a tour.
Two of the last three sites were on the CNE grounds.
- Scadding Cabin is the oldest building in Toronto. It was built in 1794 at Queen St E and Broadview. At it's current location it is being preserved and run by volunteers. On Father's Day, June 15th, 11 AM to 2 PM, it will open again, serve free apple cider (donations are welcomed) and there will be period music.
- The Wind Turbine Generator was built in 2003 and powers 250 homes. We were allowed to go inside the base of the turbine to see the electronics that make it work.
At 4 PM only two of us chose to explore Fort York. We spent 30 mins there. I am always amazed at how short the beds were...
The last location was cancelled - The Fort York Public Library, east of the Fort, is just being completed, therefore, was not finished in time to allow for safe viewing.
In my group, $12.00 was collected in voluntary donations.
In Utkarsh's group, $8.00 was collected.
Thank you very much.
Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Erik Sonstenes at photos@torontooutdoorclub.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.