Building a Green Hub, Brick by Brick

The Gardens at the Brick Works

A fun parade in the Farmers' Market

The Kilns at this heritage site

Graffiti is also preserved in this space that also honours various forms of art

Have you heard of the Evergreen Brick Works? This past weekend was their grand opening and I have to say that this place is truly exciting. Rebuilt on the grounds of a former industrial site that was abandoned for years, Brick Works is nestled into the sprawling Don Valley. How amazing is it that this ravine and the buildings of this former brickyard have been restored into a new space that encourages learning, exploring and greener living? Pretty darn cool.

So what can you do at the Brick Works? Well, to start, you can shop at the Evergreen Gardens year-round, seven days a week. I just picked up a cool hanging plant this past weekend. There is also a Farmers' Market every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eat anything from bread, chocolate, honey, all kinds of fruit and vegetables and delicious foods made by local eateries.

Visit the Brick Works in the next few weeks to see the fall colours and ride a bike or hike the many trails found here. I was impressed to learn about the number of activities for children as part of the Nature Nut Club and the variety Green City Programs, which are more for adults (canning and DIY workshops are coming up). Office and event space is also available in the Centre for Green Cities, which is built with the highest standard of green design: LEED.

I will spend more time exploring the Evergreen Brick Works and will share with you what this new hub for greener thinking has to offer for the Toronto Community and, it hopes, for the broader community.

Check out the Brick Works here: http://ebw.evergreen.ca.