Ravine Diary shows off the beauty of Glen Davis Ravine.
Longtime Kingston Rd. resident Olev Edur sits in his backyard. Edur has penned a book, 'Ravine Diary', about the Glen Davis Ravine, an urban oasis located at the foot of his home.
Staff photo/JOANNA LAVOIE
Long-time Kingston Road resident Olev Edur can't say enough about the urban oasis found in his backyard.
An award-winning freelance photojournalist, Edur recently wrote a book about the transformation of Glen Davis Ravine, a landlocked green space he estimates runs the length of about 20 homes between Kingston Road and Glen Davis Crescent, just west of Main Street.
Edur, who bought his circa-1922 home a dozen years ago, said he immediately saw the potential in his once-unkempt backyard.
"I've always been a nature lover and I fell in love with what (the ravine) could look like," he said, noting non-native Manitoba maples once crowded out all other trees and shrubs on his property.
Edur went about tidying up his yard and planted native trees, documenting the many species of plants, trees, birds and wildlife that call the unique green space home, including a friendly groundhog neighbours have named Bill.
"I love my backyard. It's just a joy to sit out here on a summer day. It really is a lovely, little slice of nature," he said during a recent interview, adding several neighbours also do their part to take care of the small ravine.
"The ravine has taken on its own life and it just keeps getting better and better. It's like a micro-community down there. It's a small ravine but there's so much to offer. There's a lot of life down there."
About three years ago, Edur realized he had enough notes and photographs to put together a book on the local green space. He released his self-published, 88-page, full-colour book, Ravine Diary, late last year.
"It's a nice counter balance to the other work I do. I'll definitely do more books," said Edur, who recently wrapped up an exhibit of the photographs he took from his backyard ravine at a downtown gallery.
"People love (the book). It's great that I can put a little joy into people's lives."
Every summer, Edur hosts a barbecue for the neighbours whose yards are adjacent to the ravine.
"There's no real way for other people who don't live here to get down here - it's our little hideaway," he said.
"With the ridge up there it's almost like a mountain in your backyard."
During a recent tour of Glen Davis Ravine, Edur pointed out its many positive aspects as well as his concerns about invasive species and illegal dumping.
"People used to dump stuff into the ravine so anything we can do to make it more hospitable is a good thing," he said, adding taking care of the green space is his small way to help the planet.
Edur also spoke about the ravine's historical significance. Studies and soil samples have found that the ravine is likely part of the lake bed of the ancient lake Iroquois, which is believed to have once covered a large portion of the Beach community.
"It's a fascinating little piece of property here," he said.
Like dozens of his neighbours, Edur said he's concerned about a recently submitted rezoning application to build a six-storey, 47-unit condominium directly to the east of his home.
"Every one is in favour of development but you have to be sensitive to the environment but developers get greedy," he said.
"Green spaces are important and you have to have them. Developers seem to want to plow everything over."
Ravine Diary costs $20 and is available for purchasing at Book City locations across Toronto and Coles Books in the Beach. People can also borrow the book from the Toronto Public Library.
For more information, email oedur@rogers.com, call 416-691-1800 or visit www.glendavisravine.ca