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Walking is directly correlated with better health, a lighter environmental impact, cost-efficient living, and an overall better quality of life. So, go for a walk this week in one of Canada’s most walkable cities, according to Walk Score’s and rate your walkability in the one of TO’s hidden walkable neighbourhood gems –  Riverside.

Walk Score, a Seattle-based company that computes the “walkability” of addresses across North America; it has revolutionized the way people think about how their neighbourhoods and communities are designed. It’s the first standardized yardstick for quantitative rankings of walkability.

Jane’s Walk in Riverside

Saturday, 26^th October Riverside will be promoting Toronto’s walkability, with 9 unique walking tours,  plus there is a host of different Halloween fun including Jimmy Simpson’s Park Haunted House, Nell & Natasha’s Annual Pumpkin Give Away and Fun Kid’s activities by our charity partner Ralph Thornton Center.

In keeping with promoting walkability, Riverside partnered with Jane’s Walk.  Jane’s Walk promotes a festival of neighbourhood walking tours on the first weekend of May. The tour was named after urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs to celebrate her ideas and legacy by getting people out exploring their neighbourhoods through locally led walking tours.

Jane Jacobs at the White Horse Tavern in 1961 (Credit: Cervin Robinson)

This year Jane’s Walk have encouraged Jane’s Walks to occur throughout the year outside of the Festival May weekend – and the Riverside WalkFEST teamed up to be a series of showcased walks.

An example of a Jane’s Walk during the festival weekend

When it comes to making improvements to the livability and vibrancy of neighbourhoods, people are often isolated or unaware of others who may share their interests. Jane’s Walk helps bridge these gaps and encourages people to explore the sidewalks they use for the basic tasks of daily life – tasks like shopping, getting to school and work.

To register on one of the walk, go to: https://riversidewalkfest2013.eventbrite.com

Riverside WalkFEST was possible due to generous sponsorship from Streetcar.

Ever wonder if plants that you consider “weeds” and any use, or if there were plants in you own backyard that could heal you?

Well, look no further. On Oct. 26^th at 12pm, Riverside’s local herbalist – Danette Steele – will take you on a walking tour to discover that there are actually a lot of medicinal plants literally right in front of you. Many everyday local plants have a lot of healing properties… and Danette, who also has her practice with Oma Chiropractic, loves to share plant wisdom with people to encourage safe and effective self-care using herbal medicine

On the Medicinal Plant Walk some of the wild plants that you will see and talk about are: Dandelion, Burdock, Plantain, Yellow dock, and Red clover. Plus, you’ll get the medicinal down low on everyday herbs that you have in your kitchen and backyard.

An insiders Surprise medicinal weed is…. The pervasive Dandelion. This plant is awesome – it is known as the plant of survival / survivors!! The root is a great tonic for the digestive system and the liver; the leaf is a mild bitter – also a liver tonic. The leaf is a diuretic and encourages elimination through the kidneys, and Dandelion is included in combination remedies for skin problems, for aching joints and gout.

So Who is Danette?

Danette has been working as a Herbal Medicine Practitioner for many years. A recent returnee from Nova Scotia (her former home) where she taught, led plant medicine walks by the sea, harvested plants for medicine at organic farms, and made root medicines in a local clinic.

She has clinical practice where she meets with people who want to work with her to develop treatment plans using whole herbs and nutrition for wellness. She works through Oma Chiropractic and the Centre for Social Innovation, in addition to her Halifax Clinic

Danette is also an avid city farmer, working with people using a collaborative design process to design edible gardens for food and medicine and pollinators.

Come check out this Free Medicinal Walk, with a couple of tasters along the way. Register here:  https://riversidewalkfest2013.eventbrite.com

Riverside WalkFEST was possible due to generous sponsorship from Streetcar.

In Riverside Toronto, there is a plethora of historic buildings and a layered history of the urban planning and development starting from before the 1800s.

Detailing of Jilly’s brick

Ever wonder how certain buildings were built? How did people build structures without contemporary tools? Are there reasons why you see an abundance of some materials over others, and most intriguingly, what are the politics and back stories behind what was built in riverside, and what never ended up materialising. 

Scadding Cabin Plaque

This Walk is a collection of stories behind the urban planning that shaped both Riverside and had an impact on the wider city of Toronto. From Toronto’s first house – Scadding Cabin – gracing the Riverside boundary, the Opera House being a vaudeville hot spot, the artisanal process of making the signature Riverside bricks, to the development to Don Mount Court/Rivertowne community – Canada’s first mixed-income development.

The Opera House – former Vaudeville Haunt

This fascinating walk will be led by two knowledgeable East-siders:

Adrian Lightstone, local resident, engineering/architectural economist, and overall urbanist, he has contributed to Spacing Magazine, The Globe and Mail, and Toronto Star on urban planning related issues.

Edward Keenan is the author of “Some Great Idea: Good Neighbourhoods, Crazy Politics and the Invention of Toronto” and writes columns about city politics, planning and life for The Grid, The Toronto Star, and Spacing. He spent his childhood living in Riverside.

Space is limited. Register now and get inspired: https://riversidewalkfest2013.eventbrite.com

Riverside WalkFEST was possible due to generous sponsorship from Streetcar.

Riverside ‘Top Dog’ Challenge

 At 9am on Oct 26th start the day with an “amazing race” style “walk” that allows you to explore neighbourhood parkettes, tests your mental agility and your dog’s skills.

Plus…. You’ll get swag bags, finish with Pizza from Pizziaolo and healthy snacks from Oma Chiropractic and the chance for your dog to be Riverside’s TOP DOG!

Put on by Oma Chiropractic, EnergyXchange, and Fit Dogs

Register for the Dog/ Fitness Walk at: www.riversidewalkfest2013.eventbrite.com

Riverside WalkFEST was possible due to generous sponsorship from Streetcar.

Join Chef Av Atkian for a Catalan tapas demo at Olive & Olives 779 Queen St. E. on Oct 26th during the Riverside WalkFEST

The two tasty appetizers that you will learn how to create are:
Catalan Pan Con Tomate – garlic rubbed toasted bread with grated fresh tomato, olive oil and salt.

Stuffed sautéed olive with Manchego cheese, wrapped with Serrano ham and glazed with Ferianes Arrope.
Space is limited so be sure to sign up for your spot.

Chef & Restaurateur, Av Atikian
Av Atikian’s career spans 35 years in the restaurant industry. Being raised in a Middle Eastern family, hospitality and the making and sharing of food was central to his development as a chef and restaurateur. A passion for cuisine and wine has led this Chef/ Sommelier to TV appearances, charity functions and cooking competitions as well as opening his own restaurant, JAMcafe.

Av has also established relationships with wine merchants, and wineries, resulting in exquisite collaborations. This paired with his lucid use of intense flavours and traditional technique has fostered a loyal clientelle and critical acclaim.
Av continues to design and host tastings and pairing dinners and is pursuing a new business venture showcasing his cuisine and flair.

Sign up for your spot at: https://riversidewalkfest2013.eventbrite.com