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Coordinates: 43°42′12″N 79°19′59″W / 43.70333°N 79.33306°W / 43.70333; -79.33306[1]
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{{Geobox River
{{Short description|River in Canada}}
{{Infobox river
<!-- *** Name section *** -->
| name = Taylor-Massey Creek
| name = Taylor-Massey Creek
| native_name =
| name_native =
| other_name =
| name_native_lang =
| other_name1 =
| name_other =
| name_etymology =
<!-- *** Image *** --->
<!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP -->
| image = TMWatershed.gif
| image_size = 150px
| image = Taylor-Massey_Creek.jpg
| image_caption = Taylor-Massey Creek watershed
| image_size =
| image_caption = Taylor-Massey Creek in Warden Woods Park, Scarborough
<!-- *** Country etc. *** -->
| country = [[Canada]]
| map =
| country1 =
| map_size =
| state = [[Ontario]]
| map_caption =
| state1 =
| pushpin_map = Canada Toronto
| region =
| pushpin_map_size =
| pushpin_map_caption= Location of the mouth of the creek in Toronto
| region1 =
<!---------------------- LOCATION -->
| district =
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| district1 =
| city = [[Toronto]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Canada]]
| subdivision_type2 = Province
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| subdivision_name2 = [[Ontario]]
| city2 =
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| city5 =
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| city6 =
| subdivision_type5 = Municipality
| city7 =
| subdivision_name5 = [[Toronto]]
| city8 =
<!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->
| city9 =
| city10 =
| length = {{convert|16|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| width_min =
<!-- *** Geography *** -->
| length = 16
| width_avg =
| watershed =
| width_max =
| discharge_location = Forks of the Don (East Don River)
| depth_min =
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| discharge_min =
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| discharge1_average_imperial =
| discharge1_max =
<!-- *** Source *** -->
<!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES -->
| source_name =
| source_location = Pharmacy Avenue and Highway 401
| source1 = [[Culvert]] in Terraview Willowfield Park
| source_district =
| source1_location =
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|43|46|00|N|79|18|47|W|region:CA-ON_type:landmark|display=inline}}
| source_region = [[Toronto]]
| source1_elevation = {{convert|169|m|abbr=on}}
| source_state = [[Ontario]]
| source_country = [[Canada]]
| mouth = [[Don River (Ontario)|Don River]] east branch
| source_lat_d =
| mouth_location =
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|43|42|12|N|79|19|59|W|region:CA-ON_type:river_source:GeographicalNamesBoardofCanada|notes=<ref name="CGNDB">{{cite cgndb|id= FCVBV|title= Taylor Creek|accessdate= 2018-07-03}}</ref>|display=inline,title}}
| source_lat_m =
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|86|m|abbr=on}}
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<!-- *** Mouth *** -->
| mouth_name =
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| mouth_district = [[Toronto]]
| mouth_region =
| mouth_state = [[Ontario]]
| mouth_country = [[Canada]]
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<!-- *** Tributaries *** -->
| tributary_left =
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<!-- *** Free fields *** -->
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<!-- *** Map section *** -->
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}}
}}


'''Taylor-Massey Creek''' is a tributary of the [[Don River (Ontario)|Don River]] in [[Toronto, Ontario]]. It flows through [[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]] and [[East York, Ontario|East York]], where it enters the Don River. The creek is named after two prominent Toronto families. The Taylors were a wealthy family that owned and operated the [[Don Valley Brick Works]]. The Massey family were the owners of the Canadian farm equipment manufacturing company, [[Massey-Ferguson]]. Both families owned sizable estates in the vicinity of the creek. The [[Goulding Estate]], a heritage property on Dawes Road was part of the Massey estate. Taylor-Massey Creek has also been called ''Silver Creek'' and ''Scarboro Creek''.
'''Taylor-Massey Creek''' is a tributary of the [[Don River (Ontario)|Don River]] in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]].<ref name="CGNDB" /> It flows through [[Scarborough, Toronto|Scarborough]] and [[East York]], where it enters the Don River. Taylor-Massey Creek has also been called ''Silver Creek'' and ''Scarboro Creek''.

The creek is named after two prominent Toronto families. The [[John Taylor (paper manufacturer)|Taylors]] were a wealthy family that owned and operated the [[Don Valley Brick Works]]. The [[Massey family]] owned the [[Massey-Harris]] farm equipment manufacturing company. Both families had sizable estates in the vicinity of the creek. The Massey Goulding Estate, a historic property at 305 [[Dawes Road]], was originally part of the Massey estate and is now used as the Children's Peace Theatre.<ref>[https://hikingthegta.com/2018/01/20/massey-goulding-estate/ Massey-Goulding Estate]</ref> The mansion was built in 1921 for Dr. Arthur Goulding and his wife, Dorothy Massey, daughter of Walter and Susan Massey.<ref>[http://www.childrenspeacetheatre.org/get-to-know-the-space.html Children's Peace Theatre – Massey Goulding Estate]</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
[[Image:3490-TVW pond two.JPG|thumb|left|200px|Terraview Willowfield Park]]
Taylor-Massey Creek is 16 kilometres long. Its [[headwaters]] are near Sheppard and Victoria Park Avenues. It flowed diagonally through [[Wishing Well Park]] and under [[Ontario Highway 401|Highway 401]] at Pharmacy Avenue. The original headwaters were diverted to [[Highland Creek (Toronto)|Highland Creek]] when the highway was widened to 12 lanes, so the creek now starts at a [[stormwater]] outfall just south of the highway.


The creek starts in Terraview Willowfield Park, a restoration project, named after a nearby public school. It flows through two medium-sized ponds with naturalized channels. From there it flows southeast through a series of concrete lined channels and drains. This section runs along an abandoned hydro [[Right-of-way (property access)|right-of-way]] before entering a residential and industrial section that is closed to public access.
[[Image:3490-TVW pond two.JPG|thumb|200px|Terraview Willowfield Park]]
Taylor-Massey Creek is 16 kilometres long. Its [[headwaters]] are near Sheppard and Victoria Park Avenues. It flowed diagonally through Wishing Well Park and under [[Highway 401 (Ontario)|Highway 401]] at Pharmacy Avenue. The original headwaters were diverted to [[Highland Creek]] when the highway was widened to 12 lanes, so the creek now starts at a [[stormwater]] outfall just south of the highway.

The creek starts in Terraview Willowfield Park, a restoration project, named after a nearby public school. It flows through two medium sized ponds with naturalized channels. From there it flows southeast through a series of concrete lined channels and drains. This section runs along an abandoned hydro [[Easement|right-of-way]] before entering a residential and industrial section that is closed to public access.


South of [[Eglinton Avenue]] East it enters a shallow ravine and flows south passing through [[Pine Hills Cemetery]]. It exits the cemetery travelling west and enters a small park on [[St. Clair Avenue]] East. At Warden Avenue it turns southwest, moving through a park called Warden Woods. West of Pharmacy Avenue it enters a city run golf course. At [[Victoria Park Avenue]] it enters Taylor Creek Park and continues uninterrupted to where it empties into the Don River East Branch, just north of the forks of the Don.
South of [[Eglinton Avenue]] East it enters a shallow ravine and flows south passing through [[Pine Hills Cemetery]]. It exits the cemetery travelling west and enters a small park on [[St. Clair Avenue]] East. At Warden Avenue it turns southwest, moving through a park called Warden Woods. West of Pharmacy Avenue it enters a city run golf course. At [[Victoria Park Avenue]] it enters Taylor Creek Park and continues uninterrupted to where it empties into the Don River East Branch, just north of the forks of the Don.


==Problems==
==Problems==
[[Image:Channelized Taylor-Massey Creek.JPG|thumb|left|200px|Channelized Creek]]
The Taylor-Massey Creek [[drainage basin|watershed]] exists entirely within an urban setting and has suffered severe degradation. The upper portion of the creek is encased almost entirely in concrete lined channels which increases the flow of the river and provides little habitat. Other sections are constrained by rock filled [[gabion]] baskets. The water is heavily polluted from storm water outfalls that empty directly into the creek.


{{Don Valley}}
[[Image:Channelized Taylor-Massey Creek.JPG|thumb|200px|Channelized Creek]]
In June 2005, the city performed a water quality study that revealed the presence of high levels of [[Escherichia coli|E. coli]] bacteria and other contaminants.<ref>{{cite web|last= Di Gironimo|first= Lou|author2=Anderton, Rod |title= Report on Progress and Findings from the Storm Outfall Monitoring Program in Taylor-Massey Creek – July to September 2005|url= http://www.fode.ca/Documents/TMC_Outfall_Report.pdf |format= PDF|work= Staff Report|publisher= City of Toronto|date= 2005-09-21|accessdate= 2006-06-07}}</ref> Periodic spills from adjacent industrial lands have also increased contamination. Due to the poor water quality and the engineered riverbanks, the creek shows little signs of life.
The Taylor-Massey Creek [[drainage basin|watershed]] exists entirely within an urban setting and has suffered severe degradation. The upper portion of the creek is encased almost entirely in concrete lined channels which increases the flow of the river and provides little habitat. Other sections are constrained by rock filled [[gabion]] baskets. The water is heavily polluted from storm water outfalls that empty directly into the creek.

In June 2005, the city performed a water quality study that revealed the presence of high levels of [[e.coli]] bacteria and other contaminants [http://www.fode.ca/Documents/TMC_Outfall_Report.pdf]. Periodic spills from adjacent industrial lands have also increased contamination. Due to the poor water quality and the engineered riverbanks, the creek shows little signs of life.


Several places in the ravine were also once municipal landfills, although all of them have now been shut down.
Several places in the ravine were also once municipal landfills, although all of them have now been shut down.


==Restoration efforts==
==Restoration efforts==
In 1993, a citizens group called [[Friends of the Don East]] (FODE) began [[environmental restoration]] projects along the creek, as well as along local branches of the East and West Don rivers. FODE created The [[Taylor Massey Project]], in 2003, which became a separate organization in November, 2004.
In 1993, a citizens group called [[Friends of the Don East]] (FODE) began [[environmental restoration]] projects along the creek, as well as along local branches of the East and West Don rivers. FODE created The [[Taylor Massey Project]], in 2003, which became a separate organization in November, 2004.


In 2003, the City of Toronto implemented the ''Wet Weather Flow Management Master Plan'' which calls for a reduction of storm water flow into Taylor-Massey Creek and also recommends a restoration plan that will improve habitat in the creek for fish and other water dwelling organisms [http://www.toronto.ca/water/protecting_quality/wwfmmp/index.htm]. In September, 2006, The TMP recommended the establishment of a Taylor Massey Watershed Management Co-ordinator as the best means of implementing Wet Weather Flow in the watershed, which is a priority under this 25-year, $1B plan [http://www.thetmp.org/WWFIAC_Sept4.pdf]. The city has also pledged to locate illegal sewer hookups and redirect them into sanitary sewers.
In 2003, the City of Toronto implemented the ''Wet Weather Flow Management Master Plan'' which calls for a reduction of storm water flow into Taylor-Massey Creek and also recommends a restoration plan that will improve habitat in the creek for fish and other water dwelling organisms.<ref>{{cite web|title= Wet Weather Flow Master Plan (WWFMP)|url= http://www.toronto.ca/water/protecting_quality/wwfmmp/index.htm |publisher= City of Toronto|accessdate= 2006-06-07}}</ref> In September, 2006, The TMP recommended the establishment of a Taylor Massey Watershed Management Co-ordinator as the best means of implementing Wet Weather Flow in the watershed, which is a priority under this 25-year, $1B plan.<ref>{{cite web|last= Penny|first= Nancy|title= Letter|url= http://www.thetmp.org/WWFIAC_Sept4.pdf |format= PDF|publisher= The Taylor Massey Project|date= 2006-09-04|accessdate= 2009-06-26}}</ref> The city has also pledged to locate illegal sewer hookups and redirect them into sanitary sewers.

==See also==
*[[List of rivers of Ontario]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
* [http://www.fode.ca/Documents/TMC_Outfall_Report.pdf Report on Taylor-Massey Creek storm water outfalls] by Lou Di Gironimo, City of Toronto. Sept. 2005. Retrieved June 7, 2006.
{{refbegin}}
* [http://www.web.net/~fode/taylor/index.htm FODE's Taylor Massey Project], Friends of the Don East. 2004. Retrieved June 7, 2006.
* {{cite web|title= FODE's Taylor Massey Project|url= http://www.web.net/~fode/taylor/index.htm|year= 2004|publisher= Friends of the Don East|accessdate= 2006-06-07}}
* [http://www.toronto.ca/water/protecting_quality/wwfmmp/index.htm Toronto Wet Weather Flow Management Master Plan], City of Toronto. Retrieved June 7, 2006.
{{refend}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Taylor-Massey Creek}}
* [http://www.fode.ca Friends of the Don East]
* [http://www.fode.ca Friends of the Don East]
* [http://www.thetmp.org Taylor Massey Project]
* [http://www.thetmp.org Taylor Massey Project]
* [[:File:ScarboroughOntarioSurveyMap1880s.jpg|1878 Map of Scarborough]]
* [http://www.fode.ca/Documents/TMC_Outfall_Table1.pdf Table from outfall report, June 2005: contaminant levels]
* [http://www.fode.ca/Documents/TMC_Outfall_Table1.pdf Table from outfall report, June 2005: contaminant levels]
* [http://www.fode.ca/Documents/TMC_Outfall_Table2.pdf Table from outfall report, June 2005: locations of contaminated outfalls]
* [http://www.fode.ca/Documents/TMC_Outfall_Table2.pdf Table from outfall report, June 2005: locations of contaminated outfalls]
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{{Toronto Waterways}}
{{Toronto Waterways}}


[[Category:Don River (Ontario)]]
{{coord missing|Canada}}

[[Category:Don Valley]]
[[Category:Rivers of Toronto]]
[[Category:Rivers of Toronto]]

Latest revision as of 10:10, 15 May 2024

Taylor-Massey Creek
Taylor-Massey Creek in Warden Woods Park, Scarborough
Taylor-Massey Creek is located in Toronto
Taylor-Massey Creek
Location of the mouth of the creek in Toronto
Location
CountryCanada
ProvinceOntario
MunicipalityToronto
Physical characteristics
SourceCulvert in Terraview Willowfield Park
 • coordinates43°46′00″N 79°18′47″W / 43.76667°N 79.31306°W / 43.76667; -79.31306
 • elevation169 m (554 ft)
MouthDon River east branch
 • coordinates
43°42′12″N 79°19′59″W / 43.70333°N 79.33306°W / 43.70333; -79.33306[1]
 • elevation
86 m (282 ft)
Length16 km (9.9 mi)

Taylor-Massey Creek is a tributary of the Don River in Toronto, Ontario.[1] It flows through Scarborough and East York, where it enters the Don River. Taylor-Massey Creek has also been called Silver Creek and Scarboro Creek.

The creek is named after two prominent Toronto families. The Taylors were a wealthy family that owned and operated the Don Valley Brick Works. The Massey family owned the Massey-Harris farm equipment manufacturing company. Both families had sizable estates in the vicinity of the creek. The Massey Goulding Estate, a historic property at 305 Dawes Road, was originally part of the Massey estate and is now used as the Children's Peace Theatre.[2] The mansion was built in 1921 for Dr. Arthur Goulding and his wife, Dorothy Massey, daughter of Walter and Susan Massey.[3]

Description

[edit]
Terraview Willowfield Park

Taylor-Massey Creek is 16 kilometres long. Its headwaters are near Sheppard and Victoria Park Avenues. It flowed diagonally through Wishing Well Park and under Highway 401 at Pharmacy Avenue. The original headwaters were diverted to Highland Creek when the highway was widened to 12 lanes, so the creek now starts at a stormwater outfall just south of the highway.

The creek starts in Terraview Willowfield Park, a restoration project, named after a nearby public school. It flows through two medium-sized ponds with naturalized channels. From there it flows southeast through a series of concrete lined channels and drains. This section runs along an abandoned hydro right-of-way before entering a residential and industrial section that is closed to public access.

South of Eglinton Avenue East it enters a shallow ravine and flows south passing through Pine Hills Cemetery. It exits the cemetery travelling west and enters a small park on St. Clair Avenue East. At Warden Avenue it turns southwest, moving through a park called Warden Woods. West of Pharmacy Avenue it enters a city run golf course. At Victoria Park Avenue it enters Taylor Creek Park and continues uninterrupted to where it empties into the Don River East Branch, just north of the forks of the Don.

Problems

[edit]
Channelized Creek

The Taylor-Massey Creek watershed exists entirely within an urban setting and has suffered severe degradation. The upper portion of the creek is encased almost entirely in concrete lined channels which increases the flow of the river and provides little habitat. Other sections are constrained by rock filled gabion baskets. The water is heavily polluted from storm water outfalls that empty directly into the creek.

Part of a series on the
Don Valley
Rivers
Parks
History
Environment

In June 2005, the city performed a water quality study that revealed the presence of high levels of E. coli bacteria and other contaminants.[4] Periodic spills from adjacent industrial lands have also increased contamination. Due to the poor water quality and the engineered riverbanks, the creek shows little signs of life.

Several places in the ravine were also once municipal landfills, although all of them have now been shut down.

Restoration efforts

[edit]

In 1993, a citizens group called Friends of the Don East (FODE) began environmental restoration projects along the creek, as well as along local branches of the East and West Don rivers. FODE created The Taylor Massey Project, in 2003, which became a separate organization in November, 2004.

In 2003, the City of Toronto implemented the Wet Weather Flow Management Master Plan which calls for a reduction of storm water flow into Taylor-Massey Creek and also recommends a restoration plan that will improve habitat in the creek for fish and other water dwelling organisms.[5] In September, 2006, The TMP recommended the establishment of a Taylor Massey Watershed Management Co-ordinator as the best means of implementing Wet Weather Flow in the watershed, which is a priority under this 25-year, $1B plan.[6] The city has also pledged to locate illegal sewer hookups and redirect them into sanitary sewers.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Taylor Creek". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  2. ^ Massey-Goulding Estate
  3. ^ Children's Peace Theatre – Massey Goulding Estate
  4. ^ Di Gironimo, Lou; Anderton, Rod (2005-09-21). "Report on Progress and Findings from the Storm Outfall Monitoring Program in Taylor-Massey Creek – July to September 2005" (PDF). Staff Report. City of Toronto. Retrieved 2006-06-07.
  5. ^ "Wet Weather Flow Master Plan (WWFMP)". City of Toronto. Retrieved 2006-06-07.
  6. ^ Penny, Nancy (2006-09-04). "Letter" (PDF). The Taylor Massey Project. Retrieved 2009-06-26.
[edit]
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