This November, there is a festive vibe in the air for the residents of Regent Park, Corktown, Leslieville, West Donlands, The Canary & Distillery Districts, and for all those who love to stroll, cycle & play in this fantastic part of Toronto. A new, bi-directional, protected bike lane has just been installed to connect The Esplanade and Mill Street. These two key streets give access to popular destinations like David Crombie Park, Corktown Common, St. Lawrence Market and The Distillery District.
The Esplanade & Mill Street Connection aims to:
Improve safety for everyone.
Make walking, cycling and taking transit more attractive.
Maintain access to local and citywide destinations.
This is just phase one of a greater project to connect Yonge Street to Bayview Avenue, with even more capacity, by 2023. View a video of the whole scheme, here:
On Sunday, November 14, 2021, Cycle Toronto’s Ward 13 advocacy group TO Centre Cyclists, (along with “complete-street” designers, local politicians and community / business leaders), celebrated The Esplanade & Mill Street Connection with a ribbon cutting and an exploration via bike / e-bike / cargo bike from Sherbourne to Corktown Common. Check out their Twitter posts for highlights of the day’s events.
This welcome infrastructure launches just in time for a visit to The Distillery Winter Village. Wander amongst the cobblestone mews, browse holiday craft-vendors’ wares, and sample an array of treats from 12 new food-cabins for empanadas, raclette, schnitzel, crêpes, beignets, tacos, pizza and more! Mixologists and craft brewers, at the District’s diverse restos and pubs, have created special, wintry concoctions. Traditional trees, the Holly Wall, 7 foot tall Snow Creatures, and lighting displays (like reHEART and the LOVElock) make this a very Instagrammable venue. Tag @distilleryTO and #bikeTO in your photos.
After November 18th, tickets are needed to enter the Winter Village, however, only for busy Friday, Saturday and Sundays, after 4pm (adults $8.00, children under 6, free). For more info and to purchase tickets in advance: https://thedistillerywintervillage.com/Tickets.