Geography
Watershed
Water is central to the site. Evergreen Brick Works is adjacent to the lower Don River and within its watershed and floodplain. Mud Creek runs through the site and four ponds filter stormwater and provide habitat in Weston Family Quarry Garden. The Don River watershed is 38 km in length and 360 square km in area. Over 800,000 people live in the Don – it is Canada’s most urban watershed. Citizen groups and government agencies have been working to “bring back the Don” since the late 1980s. Through Evergreen Brick Works, Evergreen is proud to be a contributor to the restoration of the Don.
Ravines
Evergreen Brick Works is situated in the heart of Toronto’s ravine network. Citizens and government agencies have been working to protect the city’s ravines from development since the late 1960s. Toronto’s network of ravines is much loved by city residents – for viewing nature, for hiking and biking. Author Robert Fulford once said “the ravines are to Toronto what canals are to Venice, hills are to San Francisco and the Thames is to London. They are the heart of the City’s emotional geography, and understanding Toronto requires an understanding of the ravines.” Evergreen Brick Works features programming related to the exploration of Toronto’s ravines.
Flood Plain
Evergreen Brick Works exists within the Don flood plain and is prone to flooding. We have put measures in place so that the buildings will be wet-flood proofed to the level of the 350-year flood, which means that all significant mechanical and electrical equipment will be raised and ground floor building materials will be durable. Further, we have a flood evacuation plan in the event that heavy rains occur. For more information on flooding in greater Toronto, check out the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s Flood Warning System.
