Explore the Corktown-Canary Butterfly Corridor

Franca Leeson, Kiel Hassanali

Let's explore the Corktown-Canary Butterfly Corridor together; an aspirational journey where we imagine the future while viewing the work being done today to get us there.

At the beginning of this century, what is now Canary District was polluted, flood-prone industrial land, dotted with the remains of abandoned factories and cut off from the city by elevated highways and rail corridors. In 2013 the transformation of the neighbourhood began with Corktown Common, a vivid green 9-hectare flood barrier that doubles as parkland and public spaces.

But Corktown Common has another very important feature: all native plants. The insects, birds, and animals native to Toronto evolved over many centuries to thrive in relationship with native plant species; non-native plants (including lawn grass and other urban garden plants) require a lot of water and chemical fertilizers — and do not provide as much, if any, nourishment and protection for insects and animals. The trees, shrubs and pollinator gardens of Corktown Common are a haven for the re-emergence of native species.

In 2022 community volunteers established pollinator gardens at the entrance of the Sackville Playground on King Street, half a kilometer away. Since then volunteers from the two local neighbourhood associations* have worked together toward a vision: that a pollinating insect, such as a butterfly, need not fly more than 100 metres to find its next meal while in the corridor between Sackville Playground and Corktown Common.

Join us on a walk along the Corktown-Canary Butterfly Corridor, viewing established pollinator sites as well as additional planned and possible sites. Along the way we will discuss some of the challenges and opportunities that lie between.

*Corktown Residents and Business Association and Canary District Neighbourhood Association

Walk Start:

Entrance to Sackville Playground, 420 King Street East, corner of King and Sackville

Corktown Common

Walk End: