While the Saturday farmers' market gets the attention, the Brick Works quarry gardens, Don Valley trails, and industrial heritage site are completely free to explore year-round. The reclaimed quarry has been transformed into a stunning landscape of native plants, wetlands, and walking paths.
Free: 550 Bayview Ave, Toronto · Season: year-round
The Evergreen Brick Works quarry gardens are one of Toronto's hidden natural treasures — a 12-hectare landscape of reclaimed industrial land transformed into native plant gardens, wetlands, walking trails, and wild habitat, all completely free to explore year-round. While the Saturday farmers' market draws the crowds, the outdoor areas are where the site's true magic lies. Dawn to dusk, seven days a week, you can wander through a landscape that feels genuinely wild, surrounded by the ruins of a 19th-century brick factory and the sounds of the Don Valley.
What to Expect
The Evergreen Brick Works site was the Don Valley Brick Works from 1889 to 1984, producing the bricks that built much of Toronto. After the factory closed, the site was abandoned and left to nature. The clay quarry pits filled with water, plants colonized the rubble, and wildlife returned. When Evergreen (a national non-profit) took over the site, they chose to work with this natural regeneration rather than against it, creating a landscape that blends heritage industrial architecture with ecological restoration.
The result is extraordinary. Massive kiln buildings stand beside wetlands. Rusted industrial equipment sits among wildflower meadows. The quarry ponds reflect the sky and surrounding forest. Herons fish in the wetlands, turtles sun on logs, and songbirds fill the trees. It is a genuinely unique environment — half heritage site, half nature reserve.
The Quarry Gardens
The former clay quarry has been transformed into a series of connected landscapes:
The Wetlands: The lowest quarry pits have become wetlands, filtered naturally by the plants and soils. Waterfowl, amphibians, and insects thrive here. Boardwalks and paths allow close observation without disturbing the habitat.
The Wildflower Meadows: Former industrial yards have been seeded with native Ontario wildflowers and grasses. In summer, the meadows are alive with bees, butterflies, and colour.
The Woodland: The slopes around the quarry have been planted with native trees and shrubs, creating a young forest that will mature over decades.
The Ravine Trails: The site connects directly to the Don Valley trail system, allowing you to walk from the quarry gardens into the broader ravine wilderness.
The Industrial Heritage
The site's historic buildings have been preserved and repurposed:
- **The Kiln Building:** The massive brick drying kilns are now event and market spaces, with the original equipment preserved as heritage features.
- **The Chimney:** The 46-metre smokestack still stands, a landmark visible from across the Don Valley.
- **The Factory Buildings:** The brick production buildings house offices, the children's play area (KidSpark, admission fee), and event spaces.
- **Heritage Signage:** Interpretive signs throughout the site explain the brick-making process, the site's history, and the ecological restoration.
Seasonal Highlights
Spring: The wetlands come alive with amphibians and migrating birds. The wildflower meadows begin to green. The quarry ponds reflect the changing sky.
Summer: Peak biodiversity. Dragonflies, butterflies, and bees fill the meadows. The shade of the woodland offers cool refuge. The site is lush and green.
Fall: The young woodland turns colour. The meadows' asters and goldenrod bloom. The site is quieter and the light is golden.
Winter: The quarry in snow is genuinely beautiful. The industrial architecture against white snow is striking. The wetlands freeze partially, creating ice formations. The site is serene and nearly empty.
How to Get There
Evergreen Brick Works is at 550 Bayview Avenue in the Don Valley. The 28 Bayview South bus from Davisville Station stops directly at the site. The site is also accessible via the Don Valley Trail from Corktown Common (a beautiful but longer walk). Limited parking is available.
Accessibility
The quarry gardens have a mix of paved paths, gravel trails, and boardwalks. Some areas are fully accessible, while the more natural sections have uneven terrain. The main paths near the buildings are accessible. The Don Valley Trail connections are not wheelchair accessible.
Nearby Attractions
- **The Don Valley Trail:** Directly connected to the site — walk south to Corktown Common or north through the valley
- **Riverdale Farm:** 15-minute walk south through the valley and up to Cabbagetown
- **The Saturday Farmers' Market:** On-site, Saturdays 8am-1pm
- **Sunnybrook Park:** North along the trail system
- **Cabbagetown:** The historic neighbourhood above the valley
Photography Tips
The contrast between industrial ruins and natural regeneration is the site's photographic signature. The smokestack reflected in quarry ponds, the kiln buildings against wildflower meadows, and the rusted equipment overtaken by plants are all compelling subjects. Morning mist in the quarry is magical. Fall colours in the young woodland are beautiful.
Practical Tips for Tourists
- The quarry gardens and trails are free and open dawn to dusk, every day
- The Saturday farmers' market is also free to browse (8am-1pm, May-November outdoors, December-April indoors)
- Wear sturdy shoes — the trails are gravel and earth
- Bring insect repellent in summer
- The site is a working environmental centre — respect the habitats and stay on marked paths
- Dogs are welcome on-leash on the trails
- There are no food services in the outdoor areas — bring water and snacks
- Public washrooms are available in the main building during operating hours
Visitor tip
The quarry gardens are free and open dawn to dusk. The KidSpark play area inside the building has a small fee, but all outdoor areas, trails, and gardens are completely free. Excellent for dog walking and trail running.