Hello and welcome to Weekend Coffee Share #25! I’m glad you’re here. Please come on in, help yourself to a cup of coffee, or tea, or hot chocolate at my coffee station and let’s chat.
The weather has been mainly sunny this past week. I spent plenty of time outdoors cycling along the Waterfront trail and walking in parks. I’d like to share two unique places: Wigwam Chi-Chemung and Corktown Common.
Wigwam Chi-Chemung or Big House Canoe
Wigwam Chi-Chemung, which roughly translates to “Big House Canoe” in Ojibway, is a houseboat purchased by Elder Duke Redbird in 2019 and became a ‘canvas’ painted and outfitted with a series of Indigenous themes and murals. It’s a floating art installation located at the Ontario Place South Marina until October.
Raven and merganser 
Loon, bear and red birds
June is National Indigenous History month and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada. I encourage my blog readers to watch this 3-minute video where Elder Duke Redbird and Phil Cote talk about their artwork on the boat from an Indigenous lens.
Corktown Common
Corktown Common is a park located in Toronto’s West Don Lands. Here are three reasons and a few photos why this park is special.
1. Multi-purpose use of land
Corktown Common is a former industrial landscape transformed into a natural urban oasis and community meeting place. This sophisticated 7.3 hectare (18 acre) park was designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates and opened in 2013. The park sits atop flood protection hill (landform) which protects over 200 hectares (over 500 acres) of Toronto’s eastern downtown from Don River flooding.
2. Natural habitats and organically-managed park
Corktown Common is a showcase for Southern Ontario native plant species. Native plants have been planted in unique groupings to create a variety of habitats, including woodland, marsh and prairie, for a growing population of birds, amphibians and insects.
Flowers 
Red-winged blackbird 
Staircase and native plants 
Flowers
Corktown Common is Toronto’s first organically managed park. This means that emphasis is placed on supporting ecosystem health and soil biology. Nearly all of the potable, splash pad, irrigation, and storm water is collected on site and reused in the marsh and irrigation system. The irrigation cistern holds approximately 568,000 liters (150,000 gallons) of water; enough to irrigate the park for a week.
3. Comprehensive park features
Aside from the marsh, beautiful marsh trails, and urban prairies, Corktown Common park features include a pavilion terrace, sprawling lawns, benches, playground areas, a splash pad, and a variety of inviting features like a fireplace, permanent barbeque, large communal picnic tables and washrooms. Solar panels on the pavilion offset the park’s energy needs and the pavilion’s power needs.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Toronto’s residents are encouraged to get outside to exercise. My go-to places are Lake Ontario and parks like Corktown Common. A bicycle ride along the lakeshore or a walk in a green space always makes me feel good. I’m grateful to have easy access to the great outdoors.
Linked to #LifeThisWeek, PPAC#2, #SundayStills.
How did your week go? I’d love to hear your comments.
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Natalie the Explorer 
What beautiful walking areas you have shared. We are getting a lot more of those happening throughout Australia so the land remains undamaged but we, the people, get to view what is there. When Sydney (my former home city) was getting ready to host the Olympic Games in 2000, a huge tract of land used by many for industrial purposes that were now outdate, was reclaimed and built with all that is environmentally friendly in mind. Every tower in the Olympic Precinct had solar panels as one example. The area remains in use for the leisure and sports viewing to this day. The indigenous paintings and hearing from the men themselves was a great teaching for me. I know more as a result. We are, in many places, of Australia getting better at understanding and knowing about the fact that our land is not ours…it is borrowed. The meanings and more of illustration and drawing by Indigenous peoples tell us so much. I want to be sure we are listening and learning too. Thank you Natalie for your post and your link up. I will be back over the weekend to comment more.
Denyse
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Hi Denyse, It’s great to hear about environmentally-friendly initiatives in Australia. We all need to protect and nurture our planet Earth for future generations. I continue to learn about the Indigenous history in Canada. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare. Have a wonderful week!
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Thank you for sharing your post for #LifeThisWeek at Denyse Whelan Blogs. It’s been great to see you here and thanks so much for your contribution to the community of bloggers who link up from Mondays to Wednesdays (Australian Eastern Time). Next Monday the optional prompt is Taking Stock. And we are past half way for my 2021 Blogging Year! Denyse.
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You’re welcome, Denyse. I hope to see you again at the upcoming Weekend Coffee Share link-up.
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I’ve never heard the phrase “organically managed park” and I like it. Corktown Common looks beautiful and appears so well organized. You are definitely lucky to be near it. Very cool
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Ally, I was impressed by how Corktown Coomon park is managed organically. It’s a beautiful green space to explore and enjoy. Happy weekend!
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What a gorgeous area Natalie – and I love that it’s all natural and sustainable. Also really liked that houseboat at the top of the post.
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Leanne, Natural and sustainable are so important for our planet Earth. I read your blog post. I’m glad you’ve found the balance to connect more IRL. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare. Have a wonderful week!
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Corktown common park looks fantastic, Natalie! Of course I particularly like the name. 😁 I’m happy to hear about all projects that aim to support ecosystems, native plants and wildlife. I also really like the boat in the top photos! Hope you’ll have an enjoyable weekend.
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Susanne, I thought you’d like the park name 🙂 The neighbourhood’s name originated in the early 19th-century, when the area was an enclave of Irish immigrants, said to be primarily from County Cork. I’m glad you like the boat/ floating art, too. Have a great weekend!
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It is nice to see so many cities taking on projects that preserve green spaces and encourage an active population. I just read an article about a project similar to this that is happening in Miami, where our daughter lives. It will be a welcome asset to her high-rise community.
If ever I visit Toronto, your blog posts will serve as a unique guide to the area. Thanks for taking the time to roadmap your wonderful city.
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Suzanne, Green and sustainable spaces will definitely be an asset in urban centres like Miami. I hope you visit Toronto one day. When you decide to go, feel free to ask me any questions you may have about the city. If our schedule works out, I’d be glad to show you a part of Toronto.
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I really enjoyed this post. Your murals are outstanding. I love how bright they are. Thanks ever so much for playing along with us this week 😀
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Thank you, Cee, for your kind comment. It’s fun to participate in your PPAC this week. Happy weekend!
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I wish we had a park this cool nearby. Sonoma county is spectacular in other ways though.
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Gary, The wineries in Sonoma county and Charles Schulz museum in Santa Rosa are wonderful places to visit.
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Corktown Common looks like a wonderful place to visit.
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Yes, it’s a beautiful green space.
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Another interesting and beautiful post, Natalie. Art, history, and nature combined. The Big House Canoe is a magnificent art installation. I’m glad you had nice weather to keep up your exercise routine and explorations.
How do my week go? There was some stress, some travel prep work, little sleep, and a cross-Atlantic flight 🙂 I’m now safe and well in Belgium for three weeks. The weather is dreary, but it is nice to finally see my family again after three years.
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Liesbet, I’m glad to hear you arrived in Belgium safely. Three weeks will go by fast while you catch up with family and friends. They must be so happy to see you. Have a wonderful stay in Belgium! You may be able to find an RV to roam about in Europe after the three weeks 🙂
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Sometimes I wonder if you are able to read my mind, Natalie! Mark and I played with the idea of switching our plans around and do a European-Asian RV trip before the South American one… But it’s a bit more complicated than that. Plus, we’d rather do “easy, more expensive” Europe when we are older…
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Haha, great curious minds think alike Liesbet. I’m sure experienced nomads like you and Mark have thought of and weighed various options. I hope you get to go to South America but first thing first: Enjoy the present in Belgium 🙂
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What a beautiful park. I love that floating art installation too; so bright and eye catching you can’t help but want to know more about it!
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Joanne, Corktown Common park is a beautiful green space.The bright colours of the floating art got my attention, too.
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I always enjoy your nature walks Natalie and the boat is so colourful. I felt happy just looking at your photos. Thanks for sharing the beautiful place where you live. Enjoy your weekend and thanks for hosting #weekendcoffeeshare.
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Hi Sue, I’m glad my photos make you feel happy. Nature walks are so good for our mind, body and spirit. Have a wonderful weekend!
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This is a beautiful post, Natalie. It works perfectly as an entry for #PPAC, too. Glad you shared with us. Your colors are always so bright and clear. The park looks amazing, cool and fresh with lots of wildlife.
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Thank you, Marsha, for your kind comment. PPAC is a fantastic idea. I enjoy participating in the challenge. The birds at Corktown Common are in their elements and let me take their photos. I like walking on the trails at that park.
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How kind and obliging of them. You must have a way with birds! Keep up the good work Natalie.
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The red-winged blackbirds are usually aggressive, especially when they’re nesting. I try to approach all animals in a calm manner and keep a safe distance from them then they don’t seem to mind my presence.
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You are lucky. We have some hawks in our trees across the street. They dive-bombed my friend Natalie, who is just as adorable as you are. She was walking her dog, and must have gotten too close to the babies. The hawk drew blood from her head but didn’t bother the dog. The next week I felt one brush me with its wing. It didn’t bother my puppy, but it was a cautionary word from the bird. 🙂
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OMG, hawks are way bigger than red-winged blackbirds. I hope your friend is OK. It’s interesting how the birds attack humans but not dogs. Stay safe, Marsha.
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I think it is because the humans are closer but I may be giving the hawks too much credit. One killed and ate a bunny in our back yard. I took some blurry pictures. The big puzzle in my yard, though is my tomato plant. Some animal got through the fence, climbed up the pot it was in and took a large bite out of the stem, killing it. I live in a very violent environment here. LOL With those gruesome words, I hope you have a wonderful week, Natalie. I’ll look forward to your next coffee chat.
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Another set of beautiful photos. I’m becoming really interested in our indigenous culture and it’s lovely to see that seems to be important in your city too. We can learn so much. That floating mural is fabulous.
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Jo, I agree we can learn so much from Indigenous culture. I was glad to see the beautiful floating art and read more about the installation.
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Hi Natalie from a cold wet wintry day here in Tumbarumba, and it looks to be wet for the whole weekend! I think that floating mural is really cool as is that reclaimed area, how lovely to have that area to walk and cycle in. Your posts are always interesting and informative, many thanks for showing us what’s going on in your area.
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Hi Debbie, We finally got some rain this afternoon but it’s warm and all of next week will be warm, too. Since it’s summertime here, I go outside almost every day and exploring by bike and on foot. Lots to see in the city. I’m glad you think my posts are interesting and informative. Stay warm and cozy. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare.
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It’s so good to see you out enjoying the summer Natalie, although it looks like being wet all weekend I will try for a walk in the forest near my house, as it is always so peaceful up there with only the kangaroos for company!
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Oh, what a nice treat to see kangaroos on your walk. I don’t get to see them here, although we have a lot of Canada geese, squirrels, and other birds atm.
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Would not have guessed that bright mural was painted on the side of a boat!! I had to do a double-take. Look how well the artist incorporated the vents in the the painting. You don’t even notice them with all there is to see in the mural. Beautiful!!
That long bench makes me smile. What a sweet sense of community it offers. Of people coming together and enjoying this lovely space. The Toronto tourist bureau needs to employ your good eye for photography.
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Leslie, I knew you’d appreciate the mural. It’s really well done. I was glad I saw it and had my photos to share. Corktown Common park is a beautiful green space. I appreciate the benches which look out to the green lawns and the pavilion. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare.
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Love that canoe…great find. It is a wonderful place too, Natalie. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks, Teresa. I’m glad you like both. Happy weekend!
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Have a good weekend too Natalie!
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Hi Natalie, you are so lucky to have beautiful parks to exercise nearby. One of the reasons I love living where I am is that there are three parks within 5 minutes’ walk where I can take the dogs off-leash. It just makes it so easy to get my daily walk in if I don’t have to drive anywhere. They all have rivers or canals adjacent to them so it’s very beautiful and the dog has a swim in the summer as well. Have a lovely weekend, regards Christina
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Hi Christina, Yes, I’m lucky as Toronto has many parks. Your home area sounds ideal for dog owners. Easy access to parks makes a big difference to live a healthy lifestyle. Have a great weekend!
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That area looks stunning. You have so many amazing areas to explore. We do too, about 20–30 minutes away, I just don’t get to go very often.
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Kirstin, Corktown Common park is a beautiful place. I’m lucky to live within walking or cycling distance to many parks. Maybe this summer you have some time to go exploring your county or state for fun.
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The park looks really well-managed and is an excellent getaway away from the hustle bustle. Pictures are also lovely, Natalie 🙂
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Thank you, Moumita, for your compliment of my pictures. I like to walk the trails and relax at one of the benches in Corktown Common. It’s a nice green space.
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These look gorgeous places to exercise. I’m amazed at how many scenic places you have in your city. I wAtched the video and did learn from it. Thanks for including it into this great post. Also thankyou for the kinky
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Jennifer, I love that I can bike or walk to many parks and Lake Ontario. There are a lot of scenic places to explore. Thank you for linking up.
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Those Indigenous murals are fabulous – colourful, full of interest and meaning! Beautiful park too – I especially like the red bud trees, which I don’t think we get over here.
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Sarah, The redbud trees are interesting. When they flower, the branches are full of pink/ red buds. They stand out among green trees. I’m glad you like the murals and the park. Have a wonderful week!
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Another great share. I really like the image of the redbud trees and I would love to enjoy a coffee and some people watching from a spot on those benches.
I will be back tomorrow with my own Coffee Share. Thanks Natalie.
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Shari, You pick a good spot for people watching. Those benches look out to green lawns where people play fun games like frisbee or softball. I like how the redbud trees frame the benches with their pretty colour. I look forward to your coffee share. Happy weekend!
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Both are great sites. The indigenous art boat is very cool. Also loved the ecologically responsible park. Urban landscapes need more of them. Sounds like you had a good week with plenty of outside time. Hope you are enjoying your weekend and have a wonderful week ahead!
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Trent, I’m glad you like the Indigenous art and the park. I like the thoughtful design of Corktown Common park. It’s proof that we can enjoy our planet Earth and nurture it at the same time. Happy weekend!
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The Big House Canoe is on my list to visit.
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It’s on display until October.
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Thank you for sharing your beautiful photography with us, Natalie, and the video with Elder Duke Redibrd and Phil Cote. I can understand why Lake Ontario and Corktown Common are your ‘go to’ places. Makes complete sense to me!
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Thank you, Donna, for your kind comment. I appreciate the water and green space, especially on warm summer days. I read about the heat wave in BC. Keep cool and stay safe!
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Hi Natalie,
The houseboat mural paintings are beautiful and the history is wonderful too. The park is so pretty and it’s so fun to see all that you share for us. I can’t believe June is almost over and we are almost half way thru the year with weekly coffee shares! I always love to have coffee with you each weekend! Have a wonderful weekend!! ❤️ ~ Diana
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Hi Diana, I love it when you stop by and make me smile with your kind comments. Yeah, it’s hard to believe we’re about to finish half of 2021. I heard about the heat wave on the west coast. I hope it doesn’t affect you and your horses too much. Stay cool and have a great weekend!
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Aww, thank you Natalie!! That’s so sweet of you and am so happy I make you smile!! We are a bit warm, but the evenings cool and the mornings are nice so we can get in rides and take care of the horses! 🤠🐴
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Oh, I love the houseboat – it looks amazing! We have our NAIDOC week (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) in the first week of July to celebrate our First Nations’ peoples. I hope you have a lovely week ahead Natalie! Thanks again for hosting this.
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Sanch, I heard about the lockdown in Sydney in the news. I hope you’re doing OK and that your lockdown ends when it’s supposed to end. Thank you for sharing about your NAIDOC week. Have a great weekend!
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That is so very cool. I really love places like that. Thanks for sharing it.
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Patrick, I’m glad you like my post. Thank you for linking up.
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Intrigued! YOu have a way of showing off your favorite places. Thanks for the tour.
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Antoinette, Thank you for joining me virtually. Were you intrigued by the blog title or the blog content?
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Wow! Beautiful parks. Your city looks amazing. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week 🌺
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Thank you, Dinah, for your comment. A wonderful week to you, too.
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I love your posts. You inspire me to get and explore the hidden gems in my area. There has to be something interesting where I live! LOL
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Kathleen, I love that my posts inspire you to get outside and explore. I hope you share some of the hidden gems in your area. Happy weekend!
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You got it all in this awesome post, Natalie, and the outdoors is the place to be while summer is in full swing! I do love the artwork that commemorates the indigenous history of Canada. I’m closer to the PNW indigenous peoples and constantly see their art in totem poles and other art. I’ve always believed that Europe and Canada are years ahead of the US for their eco-friendly park management and walkable towns and cities. As much as I love my new area, it would be suicide to ride our bikes along Hwy 291, three blocks from our home. Plenty of trails in our nearby parks, though and walking/hiking through our forests is just fine! Thanks for the iced coffee today and have a great week!
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Terri, The west coast of Canada and the USA has amazing Indigenous art. It’s wonderful that you live close to hiking trails and forests. I’m lucky to live close to Lake Ontario and the Waterfront trail that’s dedicated to cyclists, joggers and pedestrians. Toronto has been expanding its bike network for cyclists in the city centre as well. I agree it would be suicide to ride a bike on regular roads or highways. Happy weekend!
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The houseboat is beautiful. The indigenous people are master craftsmen. I’m glad we recognize their importance to our culture.
Your parks look so peaceful, a lovely way to spend a day in the summer sun 🙂
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Thank you, Jacquie, for your comment. I agree that the indigenous people are master craftsmen. I love trees that provide shades in the summer. They’re natural umbrellas that help me last longer outdoors on a hot day 🙂
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I love it when land is repurposed into something beautiful like this urban park. It would be a great place to walk and enjoy nature.
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Yes, this park is great for walking or sitting and enjoying nature. It also protects the surrounding area from flooding, and the pavilion is a wonderful community meeting place.
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Love the walkway over the mashes. We have some wetland walks like that here.
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Yes, the boardwalk is great for everyone and one can see the marsh and native plants on both sides.
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Wow – Wigwam Chi-Chemung is a mouthful – glad you translated for us Natalie! So interesting to learn about your indigenous history over there and great artwork on the houseboat! I’ve got to say though that I’m in love with Corktown Common park! I love that there is an emphasis on ecosystems and soil biology and it’s beautiful! Love your photos Natalie! What a lovely place to have access to. Lucky you!
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Min, I’m glad you like the artwork on the house boat and Corktown Common park. It’s nice to walk the trails or relax at one of the benches in that park. Thank you for joining #weekendcoffeeshare link-up.
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Beautiful art!
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Thank you, Manja. Glad you liked the Indigenous art.
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Corktown Common seems like a wonderful, wonderful park. Thank you for taking us there.
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Maria, Welcome back to blogging! How have you been? I hope all’s well with you. Corktown Common is a beautifully designed and sustainable green space. Thank you for stopping by. I hope you find time to join my Weekend Coffee Share link up any week. Have a wonderful week!
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Thank you so much Natalie! I am doing great, thoroughly enjoying 7 weeks off this summer 🙂 How are you? You bike rides looks lovely and so inspiring ! I will definitely drop in for coffee 🙂
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That’s great to hear, Maria. I’m well and enjoying summer, too. My coffee station will be ready from 8 a.m. Friday until midnight Sunday night Toronto time. Drop in for a coffee share any time 🙂
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Thank you, happy to hear you are well 🙂
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Are you still in lockdown? It’s great that you’ve got such a big choice of stunning places to visit and explore. I always enjoy your virtual tours – I just wish I could hop on a plane and see them for myself! Summer in Toronto looks magic.
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Sam, We started step 1 of our 3-step re-opening on June 11 and will move to step 2 on June 30. Step 3 (the last step) is scheduled for July 21 atm. Vaccination uptake has been phenomenal in Toronto so things are looking much better than in the spring. We can do outdoor dining, get a haircut, etc. June is a beautiful month in Toronto.
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What a great post. Looks like a lovely place to walk The murals are so colorful and cheery. Nicely done.
Pat
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Thank you, Pat. I’m glad you liked the park and murals that I shared. Have a great weekend!
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Another great title, Natalie. You are an inspiration with your creativity. Fascinating how Corktown Common has been managed. I did not know there were red-winged blackbirds. Exceptional photos! And, yes, grateful to have easy access to the great outdoors.
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Thank you, Erica/ Erika, for your compliment about my blog title. It’s something I feel I can improve on but don’t want to spend too much time on it (sigh). Red-winged blackbirds are common here in spring and summer. They get aggressive during nesting time so I keep a safe distance from them.
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Thank you Leslie for the mention and pingback. Hope you’re doing well. Have a great week!
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