Marie Curtis Park is a 41 hectare
public park located at the mouth of Etobicoke creek on the waters edge of Lake
Ontario. This park was created in 1959 to
help control flooding after the devastating floods of Hurricane Hazel in 1954 that had destroyed homes and cottages in
the area, leaving over 360 people homeless and several dead. Marie Curtis Park was dedicated in honor
of the Mayor of the village of Long Branch (now a part of Toronto). 
It’s easy to spot Marie Curtis
Park along the Lakeshore, as there is a provocative old and rusted water tower
built in 1910 standing in a field next to the entrance, making it a perfect
landmark. Lots of parking is available, as
well as a drive-in boat ramp for watercraft.
A few lovely willow trees and an inviting arch bridge link you from
one side of the pier to the other. Here
you’ll find a playground, a public swimming sandy beach, a wading pool, picnic
spots, boat docks, and walking trails connecting you to the waterfront trail
where you’ll see plenty of wildlife and native plants (see this blog). So why am I so glum on this warm and sunny
afternoon? 
The answer was in my nose. You see, apparently sometimes, and definitely
on the day I was there: it stinks! There is a sewage treatment plant directly
west of the park, and the water treatment plant is west of that. 
Just west of the park you might notice
some wooden structures randomly scattered in the fields nearby. I thought they may be set up as climbing walls
for an obstacle course as part of training.
Turns out many years ago there was once a rifle range here and the wooden
structures were sound baffles that were formed as part of the range to keep the noise down, in this
case, the loud crack of the rifles tested there during the first world
war. These wooden structures have
actually been there since the 1890’s. I did see a deer roaming on its own in the woods, but it was
behind a fence so all I could do was silently watch as it foraged. North of the Lakeshore into the Etobicoke
Valley Park you will get relief from any annoying odours, and it is absolutely beautiful,
truly! Valley Park is a 19.6 hectare park and it runs
along the east bank of Etobicoke creek from the QEW down to the CNR
tracks. Etobicoke creek really shines in
Valley Park. There are some rock
walls and fields of wild flowers and high grass, and plenty of forested
pathways that reminded me of Dundas valley in Hamilton if you’ve ever been
there! 
I loved this place;
it was one of the prettiest looking parks I’ve seen in a long time.Happy Trails!
