Starting the Easy Walk at The ROM!

By: Michele Grimley

Community Living Toronto’s first ‘Easy Walk’ explored the Annex neighbourhood, an area familiar to many of us in Central Region. On the morning of Sunday, August 20th a group of members, individuals, and volunteers met at the Royal Ontario Museum. Many of us were meeting for the first time and were excited to be going for our Easy Walk on such a sunny morning!

In front of the Royal Ontario Museum we learned about the famous Michael Lee-Chin Crystal design. We talked about our opinions of the unique building and then headed North along Avenue Road. Our volunteer tour guide, Megan Steciv, shared her great knowledge of the history of the Annex throughout the walk. Megan is a student at The University of Toronto and she brought history to life on our Sunday stroll!

The group stopped in front of a gorgeous old church and Megan pointed out symbols hidden in the stained glass window. Participants took pictures of the beautiful brick ‘Annex style’ houses, admiring their doorways and pillars.

We pictured the Annex as it looked many years ago, imagining driveways with parked horses and buggies. The group thought of famous residents like Timothy Eaton (of the Eatons Department Store) and George Gooderham Sr. (of Gooderham & Worts Distillery) walking the very same streets as us.

Bringing us back to the 21st Century, The Open Streets Toronto program had taken over Bloor Street and the group enjoyed the live music and dancing. The sunny weather and unexpected festivities made the morning feel extra special.

Easy Walks are free and open to all! On the next Easy Walk, we will touring United Way Agencies in Central Region on Sunday, October 29th.

Click here to read the full newsletter in PDF: Newsletter_2017_October