| Binscarth Ravine is a small valley in the Lower Don that has been an active restoration site for many years. Left largely on its own, it has done remarkably well. It is located at the junction of two paths - the Roxborough Drive path and the Belt Line Trail. It is part of the Discovery Walks network. Many people walk, jog or cycle past this spot without realizing the changes that have occurred here. |
Nannyberry fruit provides food for birds and small animals |
The valley slope here is well covered with trees that include oak, maple, willow, ash, and pine of several different species. The work done on this site serves to enhance this well-established habitat.
Meadow restoration
In the early 90s this area was just another area maintained by the City with mown grass bordered by a wooded slope on one side and Bayview Avenue on the other. Running through the middle is the start of the Belt Line trail. Starting in 1994, Bring Back the Don brought volunteers to the site to plant trees and shrubs. Green ash, bur oak, and white cedar were initially planted. Later plantings included red-osier dogwood, nannyberry and silver maple. Today the trees and shrubs are growing well, adding valuable habitat to this corner of the valley.
The meadow as it was in 1994.
(Photo taken from a report called 1994 Planting)
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The Binscarth meadow is at the base of the Belt Line Trail. |
Wetland restoration
A tiny creek flows year round down the ravine and water collects in a low area next to the path. Rather than have the water drain into sewers along Bayview Avenue, a small pond was created to retain the water.
This pond, technically termed a hardwood swamp, expands in the spring to fill a large area next to the footpath and even overflows onto the path creating a muddy situation for walkers and cyclists. By summer the water recedes to occupy just the main pond area. This area usually retains water even through droughts.
Work began on this site in 1998. Construction equipment was brought in to enlarge a small area at the base of the ravine. A pond was excavated with some of the soil piled in the middle to form a small island in the middle creating a donut shaped area for water.
Spring meltwater enlarges the swamp to three times its normal size.
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Wetland plants crowd the edge of the duckweed covered water. |
As soon as construction was complete the Task Force held planting events, ending in 1999. Many native species were planted including trees, shrubs, and aquatic herbaceous plants.
Since then the area has become a popular place for birds to nest and feed. The presence of water has attracted some aquatic species. So far green frogs and American toads have been observed in the pond. In the spring of 2000 a major storm flooded the lower Don and the floodwaters of the river covered this wetland. Some small fish became trapped here once the flood receded; however, they have not been seen since.
As with most of the sites in the lower Don, the main threat to the site is invasive species. Plants that are of particular concern to this site are garlic mustard, and Japanese knotweed.
How to get there:
Binscarth Swamp is adjacent to the trail that connects the Park Drive ravine to the Moore Park ravine. The closest subway station is Castle Frank. At the entrance to the subway station is a Discovery Walks map. Follow the map north through Rosedale, through Craigleigh Gardens and down Milkmen's Lane. When you get to the bottom turn right. It curves around a cloverleaf on the Bayview extension and then widens out to a small meadow. The swamp area is on your left.
