Parts of Don Valley look like a landfill, trail runner warns

The Don Valley is one of Toronto's most prized outdoor spaces, but one runner who frequents the area is issuing a stark warning: "our trails are dying."

Lawrence Warriner, one of the organizers behind Don't Mess With the Don, says the valley's trail system has reached a crisis point as huge amounts of residential garbage — from Coke cans to cigarette packs to discarded shoes — continues to be thrown onto its wooded slopes.

Warriner says the bulk of the dumping is taking place near the Thorncliffe Park area, where some areas of the woods are now covered in "landfill-quality trash."

What does that look like? Warriner says in some areas feeder streams have been choked off with plastic waste, while in other areas there are multiple layers of garbage to clean before hitting dirt.

"There are so many corners to clean," he told CBC Radio's Here and Now.

"We have to have a plan."

Warriner says there's been "a lot of finger-pointing," specifically at those who live in Thorncliffe's highrises and the property managers who run it, but he believes the bigger issue lies with the city.

• Toronto has big plans for its ravines but official strategy has no city funding yet

He wants city hall to come up with a restoration plan for the valley, complete with the funding to get it done.

Warriner says he'll make that case to Ward 26 Coun. Jon Burnside, who represents the section of the Don with the worst pollution, at a June 7 meeting.

In October, city council approved a ravine strategy to protect and invest in the green spaces, however it's a long-term plan that still requires funding.

Call 311 if you see dumping, city urges

Jane Arbour, a spokesperson for the parks department, sent CBC Toronto an email statement saying the city is involved in a range of clean-up efforts — both directly through city departments and indirectly through community initiatives. 

"We have increased service levels around litter pick-up in green spaces with higher use, including downtown parks and ravines," she wrote.

"Residents who see dumping or litter issues in parks and green spaces are encouraged to report this to 311."

Warriner says a number of groups have done cleanups in the area, including local mountain biking clubs. However, he said more will need to be done to thoroughly clean the valley.

Right now, he says, there's "a pretty part, and a dirty corner."