Toronto Off the Beaten Path Tips by vladlitvinov

Every time I get to the Bloor West Village (Runnymede Subway Station), I drop by Runnymede Chapters bookstore. It is located in a former building of the Famous Players movie theatre (that, in its turn, replaced a vaudville-type theatre sometime ago). Apart of its spectacular interiors, Runnymede theatre has a spine-tingling story. The building is rumoured to be haunted by the ghost of a little girl who was killed on stage by a sandbag that fell from the ceiling in the early 1900's.

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Other Contact: Bloor St W & Runnymede St

Spadina Line, an unusual artwork of Brad Golden and Norman Richards, begins at Dupont subway station and goes all the way up to Davenport Avenue. The author's concept sounds mysterious, reminding me a puzzle from an adventure game like 'The Mist' or 'Golden Gate'.

Under the bridge that goes accross Spadina Rd. just a little bit north Dupont subway, there is a clock, an archive, and three metal bars. This ensemble, apparently, traces the angle of the sun at the points of equinox and solstices, collectively recording time's various rhythms.

If you go up north, taking westside pedestrian route that connects the railway with the Baldwin Steps, you'll see seven illuminated 'switchposts' that highlight inlaid bronze words. The words recall the historic development of the railway and of Spadina Avenue (a switchpost on a picture highlights the word 'Power').

Completed in 1991, Spadina Line was the first in a series of projects that would recognize a significance of railway underpasses as historical landmarks.

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Casa Loma really dominates every page about Toronto. Less well known though, are the incredible Casa Loma stables that are located not so far from the castle. In fact, these elegant barns were finished full 4 years before construction of Casa Loma even started.

The lesser-known stables more truly reflect the life style and the tastes of Sir Henry Pellatt, a multimillionaire, owner and builder of Casa Loma. The stables are considered the most lavish on the continent. Inside, the stalls are of mahogany, with the horse’s names spelled out in gold lettering above each. The floors were covered in Spanish tiles, laid in a herring bone pattern so that horses would not slip. Dominated by towers and turrets outside, the entrance is framed in white stone to contrast with the red brick of the building.

Adjoining the stables, the carriage house boasts a room larger than Casa Loma’s main hall. Here, Pellatt stored his magnificent carriages and Toronto’s first electric car. The stables and carriage are connected to Casa Loma by an 800-foot tunnel.

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A magnificent, really magnificent structure. R.C. Harris Filtration Plant is the largest of Toronto's four filtration plants, serving 45% of the water needs of Toronto and capable of filtering 950 million litres of Lake Ontario water a day. Built in the 1930's, the plant is an architectural masterpiece, designed by architect Thomas Pomphrey in the classical version of the Art Deco style. As writer Michael Ondaatje notes in his novel 'In the Skin of a Lion', the plant has been called a Palace of Purification for its Egyptian tower and Byzantine facade, and its rich interior of marble and brass.

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Other Contact: Victoria Park Ave & Queen St E

The Toronto Islands, conveniently connected with the city by a ferry system, are one of the most beloved destinations among the city dwellers and tourists. Nevertheless, while most of the people are being traditionally focused on three most popular locations (Centre Island, Hanlan's Point and Ward's Island), some of the small islands are getting undeservedly skipped, e.g. magnificient Snake Island (pictured). This tiny yet pretty island has been recognized as an Environmentally Significant Area. I was particularly amazed by island's red sand dunes.

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Other Contact: Toronto Islands

Don Valley Brick Works encompasses a 16.5-hectare park that includes a wetland, boardwalk, wildflower meadows, gardens, as well as the many reminders of its industrial past. The brick making buildings and kiln chimney have been restored.

Interestingly, the park is one of those windows into the history of the last million years: it is world famous for its geological history revealed by the sediments of the north quarry wall.

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Other Contact: Don Valley

Riverdale Park is divided in half by the Don River. The park's east side, accessed by Broadview Avenue, is nothing more than just three huge playing fields, a soccer field, two baseball diamonds, running track, ice rink, tennis courts and a pool. However, it does offer something more - the excellent views to Toronto's downtown core.

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The Honest Ed's discount store is a sprawling bargain emporium, with its flashing lights bidding 'Come on in and get lost!'

I especially placed this entry in an Off The Beaten Path, not Shopping, because to me, Honest Ed's has always been more like a museum, an exhibition or something, but not a mere store.

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Other Contact: Bloor St. W & Bathurst St