About Evergreen Brick Works

A tropical sea compressed clay into shale.

This year marked the problematic “Toronto Purchase.” Believing the purchase to be a rental and sharing of the area and not the release of their rights to the land, the Mississaugas unknowingly surrendered most of the land that would become York, and then Toronto, to the British. This also marked the beginning of the industrialization of the Don River and surrounding area.

The factory closed. Today, the Don Valley Brick Works consists of 16 remaining heritage buildings and an adjacent 16-hectare public park known as Weston Family Quarry Garden that includes wetlands, hiking trails, and wildflower meadows.

The first Evergreen Brick Works farmers market and summer programming opened for the public.

Saturday summer programming engaged visitors of all ages in local food, gardening and eco-art.

Evergreen Brick Works opened as a year-round living demonstration of how past and present can work together to create greener models for urban living.

Evergreen embarked on a bold new build, the redevelopment of the historic kiln building at Evergreen Brick Works, with the ultimate goal of carbon neutrality. The revived kiln building is a venue to showcase and celebrate urban innovation from Canada and around the world.

On July 16th, 2024, Evergreen Brick Works experienced one of the most severe floods in its history. Though the site is built to withstand some flooding, the sheer amount of water still made an impact. It is clear that a full recovery will be a multi-million-dollar effort. The Brick Works is a climate-ready landscape, designed to mitigate the risk of flooding. Our building foundations are raised to help water escape from beneath, our paved surfaces are made of pervious concrete that allows water to sink into the soil beneath, and our site is lined with greenways, rain gardens and sponge grounds filled with native plants that capture, treat, and slow the flow of stormwater runoff. This approach not only addresses immediate flood concerns but also contributes to long-term environmental sustainability.

We’re making exciting improvements to the amphitheatre and fireside experience in the Children’s Garden! We can’t wait to bring you even more fun-filled, nature-based play here at Evergreen Brick Works — just in time for spring 2025!
These improvements aim to make the Children’s Garden accessible and welcoming while supporting more children and families and expanding our commitment to outdoor play and learning.