2018: Paddle the Don is on Sunday May 6!
Paddle the Don (a fundraising event) is the only occasion when people are allowed to paddle this urban river. It was special to see canoes slowly gliding through the opaque waters of the Don River in the middle of downtown Toronto, surrounded by concrete and highways. A cheerful crowd was already assembled on the path of grass by the canal when we arrived. This is where we waited for the participants to paddle by. There was live music, BBQ stand, greeting committees and many sponsors distributing flyers related to canoes and kayak at the finish line near the canal when we attended. It now appears to be taking place at the foot of Corktown Common. The starting point of the event is in E. T. Seton Park, some 10 km further north, near the Ontario Science Centre. The Lower Don trail runs along the river but the good viewing points are located from Pottery Road, from the pedestrian bridge off Riverdale Park West, and from the bridges at Gerrard Street, Dundas Street East and Queen Street East.
