Updated: 2026-06-17 | Ticket prices, transit schedules and opening hours are subject to change. Before you set out, please refer to Evergreen’s official announcements.
After spending enough time among the high-rises of downtown Toronto, you start wanting a place where you can slow down. Evergreen Brick Works (often just called “the Brick Works”) is exactly that kind of place—it was originally a century-old brick factory, and has now been transformed into an urban green space that combines nature trails, a weekend farmers market, restaurants and play areas for children. Tucked into the Don Valley, it is only a dozen-odd minutes by car from downtown, yet it is a completely different pace.
Many people, on their first visit, are not sure what there is “to see” here, because it is not an attraction with a clearly marked route. A more accurate way to understand it is this: it is an open park, free to enter, where you can simply come to walk the trails and look out over the valley, browse the market and buy groceries, let the kids burn off energy, or meet friends for brunch at one of the restaurants here. It is open all year round and every day, so there is little to worry about in terms of “showing up to a closed door”—it is just that what you can do varies by season. If you are coming specifically for the market, make a special note of the times; if you just want to take a walk, take photos, or find a place to catch your breath, then any time of day will do.
On the whole, this place suits people who are willing to set aside 2 to 4 hours and treat it as a “half-day breather.” If your Toronto itinerary is packed and you can only squeeze an hour into each stop, then honestly it is not a top priority. The table below sets out recommendations by traveler type:
| Type | Suitability | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Travelers who want to leave downtown and walk the valley trails | Very suitable; the setting is completely different from the city center | 1.5–2 hours |
| Families with children | Very suitable; there is a children’s garden and open spaces | Half a day (including a meal and rest) |
| People who want to browse the farmers market and buy local produce | Suitable, but only on Saturday morning | 2–3 hours |
| Rushed travelers who just want a quick photo stop | So-so; its charm lies in “slowness,” so rushing rather defeats the point | Skip it, or just see the main building |
The liveliest part, and the one most worth making a special trip for, is the Saturday farmers market. According to Evergreen’s official information, the Saturday Farmers Market runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (the prepared-food area within the park stays open until 2 p.m.). The market runs year-round—outdoors from May to October, and moving indoors from November through to the following April—so you can still shop it in winter, just in a different location, and this is currently one of the largest year-round farmers markets in Toronto. There is no market on weekdays, but the park, the Evergreen Garden Market, the trails and the restaurants stay open as usual—and it is quieter then, which suits a simple walk or a trip with children. The valley is most pleasant in spring, summer and fall; winter is cold and outdoor time should be shortened, and during the thaw the trails can get muddy, so be careful.
How to get there: a free shuttle is strongly recommended
Transit is the first thing you should figure out before coming here, because it is a bit more of a hassle than an ordinary city attraction. The most recommended option is the free shuttle bus: it departs from Broadview Subway Station Parkette, next to the Broadview subway station (on Erindale Avenue), every 30 to 45 minutes, seven days a week, year-round (it does not run only on December 25 and January 1), and the vehicles are accessibility-friendly; for those taking the subway, this is the most hassle-free choice. Another option is the TTC bus: from Davisville subway station, take route 28 Bayview South; the official times are Monday to Saturday 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you are driving, the park’s central parking lot is run by INDIGO and is paid (rates and the daily maximum are as posted on site and by INDIGO, and weekends are usually more expensive), but spaces are limited and are especially tight on event days or market days; in addition, parking is not allowed along the roadside on Bayview (there are “No Parking” signs), so do not take the risk just to save money. In practical terms, if you are staying downtown and have not rented a car, taking the subway to Broadview station and transferring to the free shuttle is the smoothest; whenever you can take the shuttle, do so.
Once you arrive, getting around is actually quite free-form. The suggested order is: first take a loop around the main building (the preserved old brick-factory plant), look at the public art and historic spaces—this is also where the market and restaurants are; then head toward the valley and walk the trails, taking in the green space and wetlands of the Don Valley; if you have children, you can save the children’s garden for the latter part to let them burn off energy. When you get hungry, eat at one of the park’s restaurants or food stalls; this place is said to have “Toronto’s largest patio,” and on a fine day it is very pleasant to sit outside. Do not think you have to “walk all of it”—it is designed to let you pick the things you want to do, rather than be a checklist.
There are a few things to remember before you set out: the farmers market is only on Saturday morning, you will not see it on a weekday, and its indoor/outdoor location changes with the season, so in winter confirm first whether it is indoors that week; the trails are heavily affected by the weather—on rainy or snowy days, or during the thaw, the valley trails get muddy and slippery, so wearing good non-slip shoes is recommended; parking is limited and not cheap, especially on weekends, so if you can take the free shuttle, do not drive; the park’s overall opening hours, restaurants and the details of each event also adjust with the season, so before you set out please refer to the official announcements. If you do not have a car, there is no need to worry—taking the subway to Broadview station and transferring to the free shuttle bus, or taking TTC route 28 Bayview South from Davisville station, will both get you there smoothly.
The location is 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3X8. It is recommended to navigate directly to “Evergreen Brick Works” in Google Maps, and before setting out, to check the official website evergreen.ca for that day’s hours and event arrangements. If you are planning a full Toronto itinerary, you can pair the Brick Works with other downtown stops: the Toronto Travel Guide lays out an overview of the city, while the complete roundup of Canada attractions can help you compare places to go in other cities.
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