This Earth Day, Earth Day Canada wants you to contribute to environmental stewardship and conservation by getting to know the world outside your doorstep. Nature is accessible, free, and abundant… play, exploration, and imagination are too. Here are some top destinations and activities to help make this your most memorable Earth Day yet.
1 BELTLINE TRAIL: ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
Nine kilometres of active transportation trails originally built in 1989 on what was once the Toronto Belt Line Railway. Take your family out for an active, heart-rate raising day of moving adventure through an incredible portion of Toronto’s natural environment. What is active transportation, you ask? Bike, skateboard, rollerblade, ride a scooter, walk, skip, or jog (if possible, as not all forms of active participation are accessible or feasible for all)!
2 HUMBER BAY PARK: FREE, UNSTRUCTURED PLAY
This nature reprieve from city life is the perfect spot to wander and play freely. Research shows that self-directed, unstructured play supports the development of the whole child (cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills) and contributes to school success. Dare we suggest a scavenger hunt? It’s a great opportunity for outdoor fun and learning about the natural environment.
3 HIGH PARK: HOST AN ADVENTURE PLAY DAY
Towering trees, seemingly endless paths, wildlife at every turn. Revel in 400 acres of remedial nature in the middle of the city. Why not host an Adventure Play Day? With a variety of natural and recycled materials, or “loose parts” (think sticks, sand, rocks, rope, cardboard boxes), kids transform their environment into vibrant play spaces.
4 RIVERDALE PARK: RETRO GAMES
The east side of the park encompasses a deep valley, and the west side is often full of dogs. Here one finds a beautiful open space that hosts a plethora of activities – large looming trees which beckon naps beneath, a track, a baseball diamond, space for soccer games, and more! A favourite activity is racing up and down the steep hill — children’s faces beam with pride when they beat their adults…
and they often do!
This is a condensed version of an article published in our Spring 2019 issue of The Collection. To read the full article, visit harveykalles.com/the-collection-magazine/
