What is Evergreen Brick Works

The Evergreen Brick Works initiative has transformed Toronto’s former Don Valley Brick Works, a collection of deteriorating heritage buildings and a depleted quarry, into an environmentally-based community center and park that inspires and equips visitors to live, work and play more sustainably. Leading the initiative is Evergreen, a Canadian charity that aims to make cities more liveable by deepening the connection between people and nature, and empowering Canadians to take a hands-on approach to their urban environment. With Evergreen Brick Works it created an international showcase for urban sustainability and green design that is open year-round.

A bit of history

Founded in 1889, Don Valley Brick Works quickly grew to become one of the main suppliers of construction materials for the City of Toronto and the rest of Canada. To this day, you can see bricks and kiln-fired clay products manufactured there in many landmarks in Toronto and other cities.

The factory closed in 1984 and the complex, which includes 16 buildings and 16 hectares of public park, was expropriated two years later by city and regional authorities. The site remained abandoned for several years until redevelopment began in the early 90s. Soon, the public was enjoying a network of hiking trails, a large garden and wildflower meadows. Early in the new millennium, Evergreen embarked on its project to revamp the site and, in 2006, it opened a public farmer’s market and launched summer programming. Construction on the current project began in 2008.

Today

The Brick Works is now open year-round and acts as a learning centre teaching people how to live, work and play more sustainably. The site is home to the Don Valley Brick Works Park which is home to many native species like the Blue Heron and a short walk up the North Slope leads to an unmatched view of the Toronto skyline.

The Brick Works now provides event space rental, public skating, office space rental, weekly farmers market, yoga classes, summer camp and much more.

Click here to see what’s going on at the Brick Works right now.