Elena's Legacy. Texts written by Elena, excerpts from texts she liked, her artworks.: Crothers Woods

Crothers Woods

Crothers Woods is an ecologically sensitive climax beech and maple forest. These lands have been subject to over use through unregulated and high impact activities, including mountain biking. Efforts are underway to protect this ecologically sensitive area through the construction of natural barriers and development of an education program.

Crothers Woods is a unique maple-oak-beech climax forest ecosystem providing significant wildlife habitat in the heart of Toronto. Restoration efforts allowed to preserve and enhance Crothers Woods for native flora and fauna and all trail users.

Please do your part to reduce the impact on the forest ecosystem so that all trail users can enjoy the forest for years to come.

Crothers Woods Trail. You can see stones used instead of benches. Photo: Elena

Caution: Recreational trails are not maintained and can be steep and slippery. Use at your own risk. Avoid use of Crothers Woods during high winds or immediately after wind storms due to the potential for tree failure. Do not enter or cross railway corridors. Cyclists should wear helmets at all times.

Stay on the existing trails: Dogs people and bikes must stay on existing trails. Do not widen or cut new trails. Respect trail closures and do not disturb restoration areas. Using closed trails is prohibited.

Share the trail: trails are multi-use and bi-directional unless otherwise indicated. Cyclists must yield to pedestrians. Control your bike and make your approach known. Give trail users going uphill the right of way.

Control your pet: Keep dogs on-leash and on the trails at all times. Pick up after your pet. Do not allow your dog to disturb wildlife and their habitat.

Leave no trace: Avoid trail usage after rainfall. Using wet and muddy trails can lead to unnecessary trail erosion and widening that may result in long-lasting damage. Unauthorized trail work, and building or installing structures is prohibited. Do not damage or remove any vegetation – alive or dead. Keep the forest clean. Carry out what you carry in.

Get involved: Contact City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation to get involved in trail maintenance and habitat restoration projects. Encourage others to be responsible trail users.

Thank you for helping to preserve the Crothers Woods for everyone to enjoy.

Toronto treatment plant. Ecological enhancements are underway at the North Toronto Treatment Plant. These improvements will include the creation of a large wildflower meadow as well as a wetland. A variety of native plantings will also take place within and adjacent to existing natural areas in an effort to improve the structure, biodiversity and size of plant communities. Greater ecological diversity strengthens the local plant and animal communities enabling them to better cope with urban stresses such as pollution and development encroachment. Photo: © Elena