Walking In Place

Happy almost Pride! It's the perfect time of year to experience the streets of Toronto's Church-Wellesley Village, often called “The Village” or Toronto's “Gay Village”. This tour is rich with the LGBTQIA2S+ history of both Toronto and Canada, with stories covering former village inhabitants, activists, businesses, and more. Naturally, we also learn a lot about the historic buildings in the village, including some that are under threat. This episode is a collaboration with Adam Wynne, a community historian and the historian for the Church-Wellesley Neighbourhood Association. He researched and wrote this tour, and sometimes even hosts tours in person! If you'd like to contact Adam about future tours, you can email him at adam.g.wynne@gmail.com. You can also find more of his work at https://www.cwna.ca/ and https://www.acotoronto.ca/tobuilt.php ---------------------------------Walk-Along Info:Walk length: About 2 hoursAccessibility: fairly flat, lots of paved roads and sidewalks BUT can be challenging to get around when busy, especially in the summer Start: Paul Kane House, 56 Wellesley St E, TorontoEnd: The 519, 519 Church St, Toronto---------------------------------Time stamps for 30-second breaks:10:52

Let's go to the mall!This short jaunt touches on the history of the Eaton Centre and the block it sits on, as well as the origins of its namesake. Also, a brief history of the shopping mall as a concept. ---------------------------------Thank you Lukus Benoit for the theme song!---------------------------------SUPPORT THE SHOW:Follow on Insta @walkinginplacepod,  Tiktok @walkinginplacepod, Twitter @PlaceWalking, and Facebook Become a patron!The podcast was featured in the Top 10 History Podcasts on Feedspot! Check it out! 

Are you ready to be entertained?! We're heading into the Entertainment District: home to the Toronto International Film Festival, as well as a LOT of Toronto history. We'll of course talk about the festival, but also: Fashion! Comedy! Dance clubs!  Warehouses! And the intersection known as “Education, Legislation, Salvation, and DAMNATION”. As usual, each stop is divided by 30 seconds of ambiance, so you'll feel like you're there even if you prefer your entertainment on your couch. Walk-Along Info:Walk length: About an hourAccessibility: fairly flat, lots of paved roads and sidewalks BUT can be challenging to get around during TIFF's Festival Street if you're not walking Start: Simcoe and King St. WEnd: John St. and King St. W---------------------------------SourcesTranscript Thank you Lukus Benoit for the theme song!---------------------------------SUPPORT THE SHOW:Follow on Insta @walkinginplacepod,  Tiktok @walkinginplacepod, Twitter @PlaceWalking, and Facebook Become a patron!The podcast was featured in the Top 10 History Podcasts on Feedspot! Check it out! ---------------------------------Includes Music from Uppbeat: Jump Around (License code: WTNPNCG38HR3I0PK)In Da House (License code: 3DINZVDVCP3OC3KJ)Take U Higher (License code: AISKKHVOZSTPVLHD)

The CNE: where farming and rickety rides meet royalty and wars. Come take a walk through the 140+ year history of the Exhibition Grounds. As usual, there is lots of ambiance in this episode, so you'll feel like you're at the CNE if you can't go in person this year. There are also directions for exploring the grounds during the CNE as well as the rest of the year. Walk-Along Info:Walk length: About an hourAccessibility: fairly flat, lots of paved roads and sidewalks BUT can be challenging to get around during the CNE if you're not walking Start: Dufferin Gate Loop Finish: Princes' Gates---------------------------------SourcesTranscript Thank you Lukus Benoit for the theme song! ---------------------------------SUPPORT THE SHOW:Follow on Insta @walkinginplacepod,  Tiktok @walkinginplacepod, Twitter @PlaceWalking, and Facebook Become a patron!Come on a live walking tour! Next one: Harbourfront on Sept 5, 2022The podcast was featured in the Top 10 History Podcasts on Feedspot! Check it out! ---------------------------------ADDITIONAL READING/LISTENING/WATCHING: Podcasts: Fresh Air:  "Kidnapped, Then Forced Into The Sideshow: The True Story Of The Muse Brothers"The Secret Life of Canada: "S3: The Indian Pavilion at Expo 67 (Part 1)"  "S3: The Indian Pavilion at Expo 67 (Part 2)"Walking in Place :) "Creepy Cabbagetown""Sunnyside"Articles:"Thornton & Lucie Blackburn's  created Toronto's first taxi company" - Global News

If I were to offer you lumberjack money, cured meats, and a sprawling farm with private river access, what would you say? What if it came with a jail and a murderous tree? Well, I'd still be in. Join me on this short jaunt, and all these things can be yours too (even if only for 12ish minutes).***SUPPORT THE SHOW:Follow on Insta @walkinginplacepod,  Tiktok @walkinginplacepod, Twitter @PlaceWalking, and Facebook Become a patron!Come on a live walking tour! Next one: Harbourfront on Sept 5, 2022The podcast was featured in the Top 10 History Podcasts on Feedspot! Check it out! ADDITIONAL READING/LISTENING/WATCHING: Video: “The surprising reason behind Chinatown's aesthetic” - Vox YouTubePodcasts: 99% Invisible:  “Pagodas and Dragon Gates” (similar overview as the Vox video)The Secret Life of Canada: “Chinatown”Articles:Don Jail - Lost Rivers “The rise and fall of Chinatown: The hidden history of displacement you were never told” - Global News EPISODE SOURCES HERETRANSCRIPT

What do a diamond, a piano, toxic chemicals, and boxing have in common? This episode! Take a walk with me through the most requested neighbourhood(s) to date. Walk-Along Info:Walk length: About an hourAccessibility: fairly flat, lots of paved roads and sidewalks. Includes busy streets and intersections. Start: Wallace Ave. Pedestrian Bridge Finish: 288 Annette St. SourcesTranscript 

Woodbine Beach is one of the most popular public beaches in Toronto, but it wasn't always that way. Come along and learn about the history of this beach and the beautiful nearby park of the same name. Walk-Along Info:Walk length: 20ish minutes Accessibility: paved roads, boardwalk, sand, dirt paths, no steps Start: Woodbine Park (between Lake Shore Blvd E and Queen St E, Coxwell and Northern Dancer)Finish: Woodbine Beach  Sources

Let's stroll through Old Toronto! We'll talk about the landmarks you know and some you don't. We'll stop at the St. Lawrence Market if you're feeling hungry, and explore some side streets to avoid the crowds. Also: we'll talk about a secret tunnel! CORRECTION: I mispronounced Samuel Ringgold Ward's name in this episode, saying "Wald" instead of "Ward". Originally released February 3, 2021. Walk-Along Info:Walk length: About an hourAccessibility: fairly flat, lots of paved roads and sidewalks, no stepsStart: St. James Park, at the corner of Adelaide and JarvisFinish: the Omni King Edward Hotel, at Toronto St. and King St. E.SourcesTranscript

Sunnyside is a fun place to be in 2022, but you should have seen it a hundred years ago! We're talking rollercoasters, boat burnings, dance halls, swimming (of course) and so much more. Come along for a walk on the beach- don't forget your sunscreen.  This episode was originally released on Sept 1, 2021.   Walk-Along Info:Walk length: about an hour without stops Walkability: flat, boardwalkStart: Intersection of King St. W., Queen St. W., Roncesvalles Ave.Finish: Palace Pier Park    Sources

The Upper Canada Rebellion was a huge moment in Toronto history, and The Montgomery Tavern is an important part of that story. Where the building once stood is now a historic post office turned grocery store/condo building, but it's worth a visit! Listen to learn why.  Address: 2388 Yonge St., about 2 blocks north of Eglinton TranscriptSources

You might, like I used to, think of the Harbourfront as a cold, cement, condo neighbourhood. Ok, that last part is true, but there is so more much life, warmth, and nature (!) than you might expect. Let me show you the parts of the Harbourfront you can't see from Queen's Quay W, and learn some of Toronto's waterfront history while we're at it. Walk info:Walk length: 2 hours with the stops Walkability: flat, ramps availableFirst stop: Sugar Beach Last stop: Ireland Park Transcript hereSources here Music by Lukus Benoit. 

Announcing the first Short Jaunt of the season: Allan Gardens! Allan Gardens is Toronto's oldest park and the location of a very cool conservatory that has been free since it opened in 1858. Much like the plants inside, the conservatory has taken many shapes and forms over its lifetime. Listen to learn more! Walk info: Walk length: ~30 min in the conservatory Walkability: flat, no stairs, ramps available Address: 160 Gerrard St ETranscript: walkinginplace.tours/allan-gardens Sources: walkinginplace.tours/p/allan-gardens-sources/Music by Lukus Benoit. 

Not only is this walk absolutely BURSTING will beautiful houses, it's also ghosts, class war, and some of the best places to see fall foliage without leaving the city.  Walk-Along Info:Walk length: ~1 hourWalkability: mostly flat, no stairs, some busy streets Start: 467-469 Jarvis St. Finish: St. James Cemetery  Sources: https://walkinginplace.libsyn.com/rosedale-st-james-town-sources 

Summer's not over yet! Sunnyside is a fun place to be in 2021, but MAN, you should've seen it in 1922. Take a stroll down the boardwalk with me and let's think about all that it was… and what has replaced it.     Walk-Along Info: Walk length: 45ish min Walkability: flat, boardwalk Start: Intersection of King St. W., Queen St. W., Roncesvalles Ave. Finish: Palace Pier Park      Sources: https://walkinginplace.libsyn.com/sunnyside-sources

Let's take a walk down Carlaw! We're gonna talk about factories, maraschino cherries, TRAINS, tragic deaths, unions, WAR and so much more. Taking a little break but will be back with new episodes soon. Walk-Along Info:Walk length: 30ish minWalkability: flat, sidewalksStart: Overpass at Gerrard St. E. & Carlaw Ave.Finish: John Chang Neighbourhood Park   Sources: https://walkinginplace.libsyn.com/dundas-carlaw-sources-0

Wanted to share a quick update!  To stay in the loop, follow me on social media:  Instagram: @walkinginplacepod  Twitter: @PlaceWalking Facebook: Walking in Place Podcast  And the website: https://walkinginplace.libsyn.com/

We're back! Let's explore Yorkville, today known as being very expensive and fancy, but historically pretty grounded in the working class- and hippies.  Walk-Along Info: Walk length: 45ish min Walkability: flat, sidewalks Start: Hazelton and Scollard  Finish: Yonge and Davenport  Sources: https://walkinginplace.libsyn.com/yorkville-sources

Happy day after St. Patrick's Day! It may be a day late but, trust me, this episode is a pot of gold. Too cheesy? Oh well. This episode explores the area bound by University Ave., Queen St. W., Dundas St. W., and Beverley St.    Walk-Along Info: Walk length: 45-60 min Walkability: flat, sidewalks Start: St. Patrick Subway Station Finish: the AGO Sources: https://walkinginplace.libsyn.com/st-patrick-sources

Ahoy maties? On this week's episode, we explore the Toronto Port Lands where you can find old abandoned factories and tree graveyards, as well as nature trails and beach views. This walk is mostly safe and cozy on the Martin Goodman Trail, but if you've got a taste for danger, it's got that too (if you so choose). Full steam ahead!     Walk-Along Info: Walk length: 1 hourish Walkability: flat but muddy, some industrial roads Start: Outer Harbour Lookout Finish: Polson Pier   Sources: https://walkinginplace.libsyn.com/portlands-sources Includes sound from Zapsplat.com

Corktown is more than a park and condos, as I have learned. This area tells the story of the early poor and working class immigrant populations of Toronto (shout out to the Irish and Macedonian communities). We also learn about the underground railroad, unmarked graves (of humans and, technically, pigs) and talk about making the city beautiful and functional without sneakily demolishing heritage buildings. Oh, and there's magic! And beer! And puppies!  Walk-Along Info: Walk length: 45ish min Walkability: fairly flat, smooth roads, not crowded, some jaywalking Start: Eastern Ave. and Sackville St. Finish: Eastern Ave. and Rolling Mills Rd. Sources: https://walkinginplace.libsyn.com/corktown-sources Featuring the song "Crazy" by Patrick Patrikios 

Welcome to season 2! This is the first episode of 2021, and we'll be walking around the St.Lawrence/Old Toronto area. There's a reason this area is promoted to tourists, and trust me, it's worth a visit. Walk-Along Info: Walk length: About an hour Accessibility: fairly flat, lots of paved roads and sidewalks, no steps Start: St. James Park, at the corner of Adelaide and Jarvis Finish: the Omni King Edward Hotel, at Toronto St. and King St. E. Sources: https://walkinginplace.libsyn.com/st-lawrence-resources

The final festive walk of the season! We'll be walking in the Casa Loma/South Hill area, where you'll find some of the oldest streets (think: Ice Ages) and flashiest homes (think: medieval castles and private hospitals) this region has ever seen! Also, learn how to get your way with the city, and how not to keep your castle. Hint: it's fraud. Walk-Along Info: Walk length: About an hour Start: Davenport and Bathurst   Finish: Davenport and Spadina   Sources: https://walkinginplace.libsyn.com/castles-seem-like-a-lot-of-work

Today's tour is more about the stops than the neighbourhood. We'll be starting in Davisville, then walking through Mount Pleasant Cemetery, and finishing in the Moore Park neighbourhood.   Walk-Along Info: Start: Corner of Yonge and Davisville Ave. Finish: Inglewood Dr. Est. walk length: 40ish minutes   Sources: https://walkinginplace.libsyn.com/death-art-and-giant-santas-sources *In this episode I recommended the "The Smell of the Poppy" episode of the "On Drugs" podcast- that's also a good ep, but I meant to reference the "Race, On Drugs" episode 

It's December, and I'm trying to get myself to like winter. This month, that means taking “festive” walks. Mostly in areas that look pretty at this time of year, but there are a few stops here and there that are a little bit more on theme. That being said- if you happen to listen to this any other time of year, it should hopefully still be an interesting and fun walk/listen! As always, I am not a historian, and if I get something horrendously wrong please let me know so I don't continue making the same mistake. I do track all my sources- you can find them on the link below. Walk-along info: Start: Queen St. W. and Ossington Ave. Finish: Queen St. W. and Bathurst St. Estimated walk time: 40ish minutes Sources: https://walkinginplace.libsyn.com/queen-and-ossington-sources

There's more to this park than you think. That's really all I have to say about it! Walk-Along Info: Start: Corner of the park at Queen St. W. and Gore Vale Avenue Finish: the gates entering the park at Strachan and Queen Estimated walk time: 20-30 min without dawdling For sources, go to: https://walkinginplace.libsyn.com/bellwoods-sources

This episode could have been sooo long, Cabbagetown is a pretty creepy place. Listen to hear my top picks.   Walk-Along Info: Start: Corner of Carlton and Sherbourne  Finish: Necropolis Cemetery Estimated walk time: 60-90 min without dawdling   For sources, go to: https://walkinginplace.libsyn.com/creepy-cabbagetown

Walking in Place is a mix of podcast, self-guided tour, and maybe even ASMR? Just listen, it'll make sense.    Music: Mamas by Josh Lippi & The Overtimers