TORONTO, ONTARIO, MAY 23, 2008 -- How did bread dough save a famous vaudeville theatre, and who was scraping paint off of Canada's best art deco masterpiece on a Saturday night? These are just some of the questions Parks Canada answers in its new series of thematic self-guided walking tours and accompanying website.
"Toronto is home to 35 National Historic Sites. These are living institutions that play an important role in many aspects of life in Canada's largest urban centre," said Alan Latourelle, Parks Canada's Chief Executive Officer. "Union Station, the Distillery District, Massey Hall, Fort York and Kensington Market are just a few landmarks which define Toronto and a few of Toronto's National Historic Sites preserved for all Canadians. Through this new series of urban walks, we hope that people will see Toronto through a different lens, and become more aware of the importance of preserving their national heritage places."
Visitors to the Parks Canada website (www.pc.gc.ca/toronto) will find interactive maps, historical and contemporary images, stories related to architecture, history, and contemporary heritage issues, as well as a guide to activities at some National Historic Sites and little known facts about Toronto's national landmarks.
The timing of Parks Canada's new National Historic Sites Urban Walks: Toronto coincides with the Doors Open Toronto Weekend (May 23-25). Members of the public are invited to stop by the Parks Canada National Historic Sites booth during the Doors Open Toronto Kick-off at the Royal Ontario Museum on May 23rd and at the Doors Open Toronto Info-centre in the CBC Atrium on May 24-25. Visitors to the Parks Canada booth can take a "virtual" urban walk and pick up their Doors Open Toronto National Historic Sites tour maps before heading out on a "real" walk.
National Historic Sites Urban Walks: Toronto has been developed in collaboration with the City of Toronto and several of Toronto's and Ontario's key heritage organizations, including the National Historic Sites Alliance of Ontario, Ontario Heritage Trust and the Ontario Realty Corporation.
The theme of this year's Doors Open Toronto weekend - Sacred Spaces, Sacred Circles – supports Parks Canada's mandate to protect and present examples of Canada's nationally significant heritage sites for the benefit of present and future generations.
Information:
Joanne Huppé
Media Relations Advisor
National Corporate Communications Branch
Parks Canada
819-953-8699
