Natural heritage site.
Location: West of Renforth Drive between the border of the Etobicoke area with Mississauga at both Eglinton Avenue and north of Dundas Street. Etobicoke’s land area bulges to the west, and the creek runs through the bulge from north to south.
Current Use: Most of the route of the creek is parkland.
Historical Description: Renforth Creek is fairly impressive in size and originates in the City of Mississauga near Explorer Drive north of Eglinton. It crosses the border with the City of Toronto in the former municipality of Etobicoke and through a huge park area named Centennial Park. Continuing in a south-southeasterly direction, it crosses Rathburn at the south end of the park in a linear park system that follows the creek’s course, crossing Burnhamthorpe and Bloor Streets to unite its waters with those of Etobicoke Creek north of Dundas Street. It is a tributary, therefore, of Etobicoke Creek, and all of it is contained within parkland. When Centennial Park was created, the creek was dammed to make a 12-acre lake for recreational uses. Some sections of the creek’s course are in a semi-wild state, and its trees are important because of the surrounding residential areas, which benefit most from them. The creek is not well mapped in historic documents, although some surveyor’s notes record it as part of survey work done for boundary lines for lots. Otherwise, the creek appears not to be mentioned in documents consulted. It is astonishing that a historic watercourse still follows most of its original course on the surface, and this creek is much prized for that reason and for the natural heritage assets it nurtures.
Relative Importance: This creek, however much it has been altered, is important because it is one of very few still running on the surface within the city. It must be regarded as a heritage asset and be protected from anything that would alter it away from its original state any further.
Planning Implications: A policy for the long-term protection of this river must be drawn up and adhered to, and it should provide for archaeological investigations of the creek’s entire course, since some artefacts have been found in the past.
Reference Sources: Maps Project files; map of Etobicoke, Home District, n.d., Etobicoke Public Works Department, MA-8322/3; map, survey 1907 revised 1942, Department of National Defence, 1942.
Acknowledgements: Maps Project; Etobicoke Public Works Department.