WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU? Two good reasons to get out of the house: Take-out breakfast from Fish Sandwich for a picnic in Bickford Park + mini-walk along one of David Suzuki’s Butterflyway Projects led by artist Nick Sweetman. (Note: This courtesy self-guided tour is not included in the 26 urban strolls and 52 mini-walks in the author's Toronto guide.)
I love exploring Toronto laneways. You never what to expect. And boy, was I in for a treat when exploring Little Italy’s alleys!
Across the street from Bickford Park, off Harbord Street, is a lane running along Art Eggleton Park. When you check it on Google Streetview, you can see what an eye sore it was before Nick Sweetman curated a team of artists as part of the ongoing Butterflyway Project launched by the David Suzuki Foundation in partnership with Street Art Toronto.
Many garage doors are covered with butterfly murals. So pretty! If you walk to College Street, beyond the project, you will see what a difference talent and paint combined makes and will hope the artists get commissioned top continue further down the lane!
While you’re there, you might want to grab some of the best fish sandwiches in town in the funky Fish Store & YuNes' Sandwiches shop at 657 College Street. I devoured one a few years ago and based on the reviews, they’ve still got it!
From Harbord to College and back, it’s a 1.25 km walk. There usually is street parking in the vicinity. If you start from Christie Subway Station, through the laneway and to College and back, it will be 2.25 km..
657 College Street
Hours: (last checked on Sept 3) Closed Sunday, open for take-out Monday to Friday, 11:30 am to 8 pm, and Saturday 12 noon to 8 pm.
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Note that I did not have room to include this Toronto urban gem in my new walking guide Toronto Best Urban Strolls. To get the guide, visit www.torontourbangems.com.