This walk is about the natural and social history of the lower Don. At the river’s mouth was a delta full of intricate creeks and ponds, and an extensive marsh. This was biologically one of the richest sites in the Great Lakes. Almost encircling the delta, a long sandbar formed a peninsula which later became the Toronto Islands. The area was an important fishing and hunting ground for First Nations people; the peninsula was considered a sacred healing ground.

In 1830 under the British, the lands were opened to industry and settlement. Railways, and later expressways were built and the marsh was filled. When industries moved away by the late 20th century, it became a rather desolate, inaccessible and contaminated post-industrial “wasteland”. Today, a new vision of ecological integrity has inspired collaboration across borders and jurisdictions, and many thousands of individuals to save the river and the lake.