East Don Trail June 2025 Update

While I already stopped by the East Don Trail three weekends ago, the tunnel installation that happened last weekend prompted the need to do another site check. I also hadn’t checked out the portion of the East Don Trail north of Eglinton. Today, I decided to check both Phases 1 and 2 out, as well as see how they could be connected.

On the way to the tunnel site on the Phase 1 trail (Forks of the Don to Bermondsey), I noticed a large mound of dirt with a kid and a dog playing on it. Not sure what the dirt will be used for.

The tunnel rings were stored on the right of this image three weeks ago, but have since been put into the tunnel on the left. The fence appears to be opened.

Even though the tunnel has been installed, you still need to lift your bike to get onto the bridge. Hopefully this path will become finished soon enough.

A look back towards the tunnel.

While Phase 3 of the East Don Trail will not likely be done before 2030, it will start at the end of this winding bridge access trail and connect to the Phase 2 trail which we will get back to in a bit.

Here are a couple of construction photos shared on this Urban Toronto forum.

Photo shared by TwinHuey on Urban Toronto

Photo shared by Ben Aylsworth on Urban Toronto

After riding up Bermondsey, Sloane, and Elvaston, I arrived at Wigmore Park where Phase 2 of the East Don Trail begins. This phase was opened in November 2020.

Upon a closer look at the map, I noticed it already shows Phase 1 of the East Don Trail (still underway) along with the Bermondsey to Eglinton stretch of The Meadoway (which hasn’t started construction).

Wayfinding along the Phase 2 trail is decent.

At the Anewen Greenbelt – where the Phase 3 trail will eventually lead to – there is a steeper direct hill along with a more gradual switchback.

The Anewen Greenbelt has some nice seating and decorative metal fish murals; something I have seen at several spots along the Phase 2 trail. Hopefully a few can be set up along the Phase 1 trail soon.

The two bridges also have these fish murals on either side.

Some construction was happening on the rail line, but the trail is still accessible.

The Phase 2 trail ends at this access trail to Wynford Heights Crescent.

The northern terminus of the Phase 2 trail also has some seating and is rather welcoming.

The start of the old East Don Trail has some decorative arches underneath rail bridges. And of course, it’s always nice to see some cute dogs along the trail! 😊

The East Don Trail ends at Milne Hollow just south of Lawrence Avenue. It’s a nice trailhead with a pollinator garden, some picnic tables, and unfortunately a parking lot.

After backtracking a bit to the trail fork, I noticed the wayfinding sign wasn’t ideally placed. The trail going straight takes you to Milne Hollow, while the one to the left leads you to the Rainbow Tunnel.

One unfortunate sight at the Rainbow Tunnel is the large pile of garbage bags on the right-hand side which I was informed afterwards was from last Sunday's Bike for Brain Health cleanup done by Don't Mess With The Don. (Thanks Andrea) There are also some colourful murals inside which have unfortunately been tagged with graffiti.

Kind of fitting to have arrived at the tunnel in time for Pride Month. And Bike Month too, of course. 😉

This last tunnel towards Moccasin Trail Park could have been better lit.

Another trail leads you to The Donway, but I chose to go straight home from here using Don Mills, Overlea, and the Leaside Bridge to Danforth.

While it’s great the Eglinton Crosstown LRT will finally open in September, the Science Centre station was unfortunately renamed to Don Valley station because of last year’s closure of the Ontario Science Centre. 😒

If there Is one weak point about the East Don Trail, it’s the lack of trail connections at either the Milne Hollow or Moccasin Trail Park terminuses. Extending the trail north of Lawrence to the Betty Sutherland Trail would be blocked by the Don Valley Parkway interchange and the Donalda Club golf course, while extending the trail from Moccasin Trail Park has some space constraints next to the rail line. However, it could be possible to reconfigure The Donway to add bike lanes and wayfinding to help connect riders between the East Don Trail and the Don Mills Trail.

While there is still some work to do, it’s great that the Phase 1 trail is finally fully navigable from the Forks of the Don to Bermondsey Road! Look forward to seeing this trail open officially later this year.