page_title: Toronto ravine system
section_title: Human use
hierarchical_section_title: Toronto ravine system / Human use
caption_attribution_description: Humber River Trail - October 19th, 2015
context_page_description: The Toronto ravine system is one of the most distinctive features of the geography of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is a network of deep ravines that form a large urban forest that runs throughout much of the city. For the most part designated as parkland, the ravines are largely undeveloped. Toronto's slogan: "The city within a park" partially stems from the extensive ravine green space.
context_section_description: Early settlers quickly discovered that the sandy and gravelly soil of the ravines made them unsuitable for agriculture. They were extensively logged during the nineteenth century, and there are very few trees in the ravines that date to before the end of logging around 1850. The rivers and creeks were also an important source of power for early European settlers, and many mills operated on the rivers in the nineteenth century, with the last closing in 1914.
  Amongst the ravines that run along the city's waterway system, the ravines surrounding the Don Valley, is one of the most transformed. The southern portion of the Don was completely encased in a concrete channel to prevent flooding and allow industry to locate in the area. Along the length of the valley, first the rail lines and then the six-lane Don Valley Parkway were constructed. Today, the industries along the lower Don are gone, and significant efforts are underway to restore the lower Don to a more natural condition.
  Several smaller ravines have almost completely disappeared due to development and industrial use. Smaller creeks running through the downtown, such as Garrison Creek and Taddle Creek, were almost completely bricked over and today run deep under the modern city centre. These were used as sewers by the early residents of Toronto. Even today, many of Toronto's storm drains empty directly into the ravines. In case of overflow, some parts of the sewer system are also designed to empty into them. Recent decades have seen concerted efforts to protect the ravines, and to restore them to a more natural state. In 2002, the city issued a new bylaw protecting ravine lands.
  Most of the ravines were long closed off from the city. The road network either bypassed the ravines, or crossed bridges running above them. Many people travelling through the city by private motor vehicle can thus be entirely unaware of the sharp variations in topography. It is only in recent years that a concerted effort has been made to integrate the ravines into a system of paths useful for pedestrians and cyclists. 
  A number of the ravines now have paved paths, well maintained bridges, and stairs. Many others do not have such amenities, and the city intends to leave most of these areas unspoilt. The ravines are today popular with hikers and bicyclists, to the extent that erosion and wildlife disruption are becoming a problem in certain areas.
  While suitable for hiking and cycling, the rivers and creeks running through the ravines are still quite polluted and swimming and wading is inadvisable. There are many dangers for those exploring the ravines. Many areas are very rugged with poor paths and steep cliffs. There are few guardrails or stairs. Waterways are often fast moving and very cold, and can be deadly if one falls in.  Poison ivy and nettles are also abundant.
  While located in the heart of one of North America's largest cities, most of the ravines are deserted most of the time. This does lead to concerns about crime, and women especially are often discouraged from walking through them alone. While crimes do occur, they are not commonplace.  A persistent problem is that of illegal dumping of garbage in the ravines.
  Certain parts of the ravines are also known as gay cruising areas. The ravines are also home to a considerable number of homeless people, some of them living in fairly elaborate temporary structures. In 2001, The Globe and Mail ran a three part series titled "The Outsiders" tracing the life of the homeless residents of the ravines over the course of nearly a year. It won a National Newspaper Award for best feature writing.
caption: The Humber River Trail is one of several trails in the city that go through the ravine system.
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