History in the spotlight along Humber River trail

History in the spotlight along Humber River trail. The Shared Path will run along 15 kilometres of river bank, from the mouth of the Humber River seen here, to Dundas Street West. Courtsey/ DAVID WALLACE

La Société D'Histoire de Toronto, along with the City and the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority will reveal Toronto's first historical park, 'The Shared Path - Le Sentier Partagé,' on June 11.

"Torontonians don't have a specific place where they can learn about their early history," said Lisette Mallet, co-ordinator for the project.

The historical path runs along the Discovery Walk from the mouth of the Humber River to Dundas Street West, and features 12 landscaped areas to sit and read panels with the site's history.

Three of these areas will be dedicated to the First Nations groups - The Huron-Wendat Nation, the Seneca of the Six Nations, and the Mississauagas of the New Credit First Nation - who used the Humber River as a route connecting Lake Simcoe to Lake Ontario.

"There was a lot of trade [along the river]," said Mallet. "These were the ones that occupied the area."

To this day there have been archeological finds along the river; a 350-year-old comb was found on the site of the Seneca village of Teiaiagon, which once stood above Bloor Street on the east bank.

The Humber was later used by European immigrants in the 1600s, who called the trail 'Le Portage De Toronto,' or the 'Toronto Carrying Place Trail.' The route was a predecessor of Yonge Street and Hwy. 400. Two French forts from this period still lie buried underneath the banks of the river today, one in the area around the Petro-Canada gas station on the South Kingsway and the other near Baby Point.

La Société began talking about a historical park in 1992, but had a hard time getting people onboard. A feasibility study they carried out in 2006 got the city's attention and began the momentum.

According to Mallet, the project is not yet completed. So far the panels and accompanying 'nodes' are the only change along the water's edge, but improved signs are coming to point out existing bike and pedestrian trails, and eventually some links between the parks along the river will be created.

Plans for the path include incorporating mobile apps for self-guided tours and the incorporation of a subway station to highlight the historical trail.

"The Humber River is the only heritage river accessible by subway," said Mallet. "We'd like to use the Old Mill [station] as an interpretive centre."

The ribbon cutting and walking fair will begin June 11 at 9 a.m. from the Humber River Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge, on the eastern bank of the river.

For more information visit www.trca.on.ca