Wilderness Hiking

In the centre of Toronto are several Glen places: Glencairn, Glen Park, Glen Long, and Glen Grove. However, there are no actual glens. Just quiet suburban houses. This hike will take in these neighbourhoods and the two minor food streets there: Marlee Ave and Dufferin St. The majority of the residents are of Italian and Portuguese descent, and it's reflected in the eateries in the area. We'll pass by Italian supermakets, cafes, and an old stalwart for frozen meals. Strangely, there are no great Italian restaurants here, so we'll end at either an authentic Colombian restaurant or a greasy Greek fast food joint. Note: Some notable grocers and bakeries close at 6pm. Come earlier to check out them out. **Highlights** 1. Viewmount Park (depart 6:30pm) 2. Nicky J’s Hot Chicken 3. York Beltline Trail / Walter Saunders Memorial Park 4. California Sandwiches (depart 7:10pm) 5. Lady York Foods 6. Columbus Bakery 7. Delicacy Kitchen 8. Esto es Colombia (arrive 7:45pm) **Neighbourhoods** Englemount-Lawrence > Glen Park > Glen Long **Map** [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1uDWVTSSL3J5y_UwOQmO33nTwOYw-XZs&usp=sharing](https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1uDWVTSSL3J5y_UwOQmO33nTwOYw-XZs&usp=sharing) **How it works** Hike starts punctually. Late or can't do the whole route? Meet us at scheduled checkpoints. We'll browse many food places but won't linger long. See the route in advance, organize takeout, then pickup along the way. Not sure what to try? Join our omakase for $5, which gives a tiny sample from different restaurants. Payment on the day of event by cash or e-transfer to globaltorontoeats@gmail.com. No refunds after orders are placed. Details of sampled food will be uploaded after the hike. Limited cutlery provided. Highly recommended to bring cutlery and containers for omakase and bringing back leftovers. See our [About section](https://www.meetup.com/hike-to-eat/) for more info.

Call on 416-938-2223 to find me :) -Ritik

**Welcome to Miss Bachata & Miss Salsa!** **Spring is in the air, and with it comes the promise of new beginnings, fresh energy, and the joy of connection!** As the season of renewal unfolds, we invite you to step into the rhythm of community, dance, and celebration at Miss Bachata & Miss Salsa. My objective has always been to create a different kind of social gathering—one that is open, non-judgmental, and safe. A place where you can meet people just like you, where socializing and dancing come together to help build community and tear down the walls that separate us. Here, we make new friends, feel a sense of belonging, and enjoy the calmness that comes from knowing we are in a safe and welcoming space. Many times, I have been asked, “Why host an event on Monday night?” Many people escape on the weekend and dread Mondays when they return to work. I believe that if you dance and socialize on a Monday, you infuse your week with joy and positive energy, giving your life balance and helping you face your challenges with enthusiasm and confidence. We’re also thrilled to announce that our trial of advanced Bachata lessons, which began last September, has been a resounding success! Building on this momentum, we’re excited to offer an enhanced schedule for 2026. Our dance evenings will now feature three hours of classes: one hour of beginner to intermediate Bachata, one hour of advanced Bachata, and one hour of beginner to intermediate Salsa. As always, the entrance fee remains $15 for a night of 2 lessons and social dancing. For those interested in the advanced Bachata lessons, there will be an additional $5 fee. Here’s our updated schedule: **Miss Bachata – Main Ballroom** 🕖 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Beginner to Intermediate Bachata Lesson (No partner required) 🕗 8:00 pm – 12:00 am: Social Dancing **Miss Salsa – Round Room** 🕖 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Advanced Bachata Lesson (+$5) **NEW** 🕗 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Beginner to Intermediate Salsa Lesson 🕘 9:00 pm – 12:00 am: Social Dancing ✨ **Additional Details:** ✔️ Free Parking ✔️ Full Bar (Free Water, Beer: $5.75) Over the past decade, organizing Latin dancing events in Mississauga has been a labor of love. Our mission has always been to foster a sense of community, proving that the connections we share are far stronger than the differences that divide us. Loneliness is a growing concern, with over half of U.S. adults and many Canadians experiencing its effects. The COVID-19 pandemic has only heightened this issue. Harvard University's long-term study on happiness, which began in 1938, highlights the detrimental impact of loneliness on health. People with strong social connections experience slower mental and physical decline and greater overall happiness compared to those who are isolated. Here are some key findings from the study: 🌿 Close ties help delay mental and physical decline more than money, fame, social class, IQ, or genetics. 🌿 Relationship satisfaction is a better predictor of aging well than cholesterol levels in middle age. 🌿 A strong sense of community improves memory function. 🌿 Loneliness can be as harmful to health as smoking or alcoholism. And there’s hope! Strengthening our relationships and supporting community initiatives can combat loneliness and build healthier, happier lives. Miss Bachata & Miss Salsa provides a wonderful opportunity to make new friends, expand your social circle, and enjoy a safe, welcoming, authentic environment. Bring your open heart and a smile, and we’ll take care of the rest. 🌸 **Cheers to a season of renewal, joy, and community!** 🌸 **Anna G.** https://www.facebook.com/groups/1871491806494168/ https://www.facebook.com/EventsByAnnaG

These monthly socials are a chance to network with other students and professionals in the geomatics field to chat GIS, data, remote sensing, surveying and more in a casual atmosphere. Feel free to bring friends and colleagues along - we're eager to welcome everyone back for a fantastic evening! This is a free event. Please RSVP to let us know you're attending.

平日の午後にボードゲームをしながらカジュアルに英語を練習しましょう！North York Centre のフードコートでやります。公共のスペースなので、料金はありませんが、周りに配慮をお願いします。 私がボードゲームは用意しますが、もしやりたいゲームがあれば、持ってきて貰って構いません。 会えるのを楽しみにしてます！ Let's have a casual weekday evening playing board games and practicing English. We'll play in the food court of North York Centre. This is a public space so there is no cost, but please be kind to other people in the area. I will bring my own board games, but if you have any you would like to play feel free to bring them as well. I look forward to meeting you!

**Note:** this is a hybrid (in-person AND online) event and will be followed at **12 noon** by a recorded talk and interactive discussion, featuring a video titled **“You Are the Light”,** a talk by Sri Doug Kunin, a God-Realized Spiritual Teacher. This event uses the same Zoom link as the preceding ECK Light and Sound Service, described below. ***Please join us.*** **ONTARIO PROVINCIAL ECK Light & Sound Service - Hybrid event**) **Awaken to the God Knowledge Within** * Experience contentment from the wisdom and joy inside you * Connect with the source of divine guidance “As we unfold, our potential for solving problems increases. This is simply because we have a closer, more intimate contact with the Light and Sound of God. We expand in our circle of awareness.” \- Harold Klemp\, Touching the Face of God\, p\. 77 You are warmly invited to attend the Provincial ECK Light and Sound Service **online** or **in person**. Date and time: **Sunday, April 19, 2026** **10.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m** Please note: All the ECK Light and Sound Services in 2026 will be hybrid (In-person and on Zoom) **In-person** **York University Glendon Campus, Centre of Excellence, York Hall A, (Welcome Centre) Room YH A002, 2275 Bayview Ave, North York, ON M4N 3M6.** **Parking:** Enter the York University Campus via Bayview and Lawrence. Paid parking can be found on the right. Room YH A002 is located downstairs in the first glass reception building. A host will be available to provide directions. Please stay for light refreshments afterward. **online by Zoom** [https://www.eckankarcanada.ca/ontario](https://www.eckankarcanada.ca/ontario/zoom/) For attending online on Zoom: Either click on the link provided above or use the following ID and passcode Meeting ID: 839 7768 4697 Passcode: 168803 **An ECK Light and Sound Services** is a wonderful way to experience: · **the Sound and Light of God** · **the [HU](https://www.eckankar.org/experience/hu-the-sound-of-soul/) (a love song to God)** · **the inner guide known as the Mahanta** Come and hear about others' adventures of walking the spiritual path, on the road home to God, as well as original creative arts. You will have the opportunity to experience a simple spiritual exercise that can open your heart to live to your fullest potential. You are welcome to invite seekers, family and friends to attend. If the region or country you live in forbids you from attending this spiritual event, please follow the laws of your home country. **Donations** These are free events; however, your donations are most gratefully received! You can leave your donation in the donation bowl on the table OR send your e-transfer donations, using online banking to: Name: **Eckankar Canada in Ontario** Email address: - **[provincialdonations8093@gmail.com](mailto:provincialdonations8093@gmail.com)** To learn more about **Eckankar, *the Path of Spiritual Freedom***, here are a few resources: · [Spiritual Adventure](https://www.eckankar.org/eck-soul-adventure-magazine) Magazine · [ECK Soul Adventure](https://www.eckankar.org/ebooklets) eBooklets · [HU ](http:/#huapp)App · [Eckankar Soul Adventure Podcast](https://www.eckankar.org/podcasts/) · [Discover Eckankar and Advanced Spiritual Living](https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wdetsToXHUuR0qMb4Q6Jbn9NsVsjeGGv9-pv3zeN5OJIPvDhF1JBeIKusW1USqWw1Zp1ZaTnQ2RhVdFiFR40cVWLJP69hwDJ6gkdu5rdjrHK5ObZ_tis6cbANWZbNVk8wg0JtH1bJjx9dHaeOUj0-Q==&c=waEPfx7zdz0PenP4PzCIxF7D6_bctEUp7HtZ4PABLxdcfU32QqrKhA==&ch=9rbFp1H_WsWh30zsiD-UiviJOyeYlHNExu3S_FmLkW30Rt5s5OD87Q==) Video Graphics courtesy of [Eckankar](https://www.eckankar.org/), The Path of Spiritual Freedom

What's good to eat at the airport? Not much, and almost nothing before security. Still, we'll go through Pearson Airport Terminals 1 and 3, checking out public art works and the paltry amount of food options. Airports can be great hiking destinations. The ones in Whitehorse, London Gatwick, and Singapore have trails through the terminals and around the runways, connecting to green spaces. Unfortunately, YYZ is not one of those airports. There is no pedestrian access so we have to settle with taking the (free) train to get out. In the second part of the hike, we'll head to Malton. It was once the aeronautical hub of Canada and a leading innovator on the world stage. The Avro Arrow aircraft was the crowning achievement and Malton boomed around the aviation industry. However, Avro quickly fell apart after government cuts. Some of the bright minds there went on to NASA for moon missions. Today, Malton has a neglected feel to it. Even Walmart left the neighbourhood in 2021. Its aviation history lives on in scattered monuments. It's a little corner that Mississauga forgot. The food landscape here is cheap South Asian food. We'll end at a rejuvenated mall packed with Indian and Pakistani stores, where we have a range of places for snacking. **Highlights** 1. Inuksuit sculpture at Airport Terminal 1 departure level (depart 2:30pm) 2. Artworks at Terminal 1 3. Airport train ride 4. Terminal 3 5. Viscount station (depart 3:05pm) 6. Zet's Restaurant 7. Food at Flightpath Centre 8. Food plazas around Airport Rd and Derry Rd / Mughal Mahal (depart 3:55pm) 9. Avro Canada Monument / Malton Sign 10. New Cane Grove 11. Food court at Westwood Square (arrive 4:40pm) **Neighbourhoods** Toronto Pearson Airport > Malton **Map** [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1ILncsGq4j07ndVKkB9woQWCRBb2FQLI&usp=sharing](https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1ILncsGq4j07ndVKkB9woQWCRBb2FQLI&usp=sharing) **How it works** Hike starts punctually. Late or can't do the whole route? Meet us at scheduled checkpoints. We'll browse many food places but won't linger long. See the route in advance, organize takeout, then pickup along the way. Not sure what to try? Join our omakase for $5, which gives a tiny sample from different restaurants. Payment on the day of event by cash or e-transfer to globaltorontoeats@gmail.com. No refunds after orders are placed. Details of sampled food will be uploaded after the hike. Limited cutlery provided. Highly recommended to bring cutlery and containers for omakase and bringing back leftovers. See our [About section](https://www.meetup.com/hike-to-eat/) for more info.

**UPDATE- Rescheduled to April25.** **ABOUT** Join us for refreshing spring hike at **Tommy Thompson Park**, one of Toronto’s most scenic waterfront nature areas. This relaxed group hike is a great way to enjoy fresh air, meet new people, and take in stunning skyline and lake views. We’ll walk at an easy-to-moderate pace with breaks for photos and conversation. No hiking experience required. ### 🚶 What to Expect * Approx. **6–8 km round trip** (flat terrain) * Easy to moderate pace * Beautiful spring lake & skyline views * Friendly, social atmosphere * Perfect for beginners and casual hikers *** ### 👟 What to Bring * Warm jacket, gloves. * Comfortable walking shoes or boots * Optional: snacks, sunglasses *** ### ⚠️ Important Notes * This is an **outdoor activity** – please dress for the weather * Event may be postponed in case of extreme weather *** ### 🤝 Who Can Join Open to adults of all fitness levels. Come solo or bring a friend — everyone is welcome! **Free Parking** Parking lot - small/medium sized parking lot Street Parking - Leslie Street, Unwin Ave **TTC** TTC bus stop is 5 mins walk to meeting spot. TTC street car is 15 mins walk to meeting spot. 💬 **Stay Connected:** ***Join Whatsapp Group - [CLICK HERE](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflzD3fDrU5sLARAT5yDF3OhEu3Vj-2P7ci8mP5FYX46rt1NQ/viewform)*** ***Follow on Instagram - [CLICK HERE](https://www.instagram.com/tam.club/)***

Join us for refreshing spring hike at **Tommy Thompson Park**, one of Toronto’s most scenic waterfront nature areas. This relaxed group hike is a great way to enjoy fresh air, meet new people, and take in stunning skyline and lake views. We’ll walk at an easy-to-moderate pace with breaks for photos and conversation. No hiking experience required. *** ### 🚶 What to Expect * Approx. **6–8 km round trip** (flat terrain) * Easy to moderate pace * Beautiful winter lake & skyline views * Friendly, social atmosphere * Perfect for beginners and casual hikers *** ### 👟 What to Bring * Warm winter jacket, gloves, and hat * Comfortable winter walking shoes or boots * Optional: snacks, sunglasses *** ### ⚠️ Important Notes * This is an **outdoor winter activity** – please dress for the weather * Event may be postponed in case of extreme weather *** ### 🤝 Who Can Join Open to adults of all fitness levels. Come solo or bring a friend — everyone is welcome! *** **Event Fee** FREE if you RSVP before Apr 10 $3.99 if you RSVP on/after Apr 11 **Payment** *(if applicable)* Cash - In person when you arrive at event Etransfer - [themoja@outlook.com](mailto:themoja@outlook.com) (use password **meetup**) Credit Card - [Click here to Pay](https://buy.stripe.com/00w5kD1dac4SaUk1hT0oM01) **[Join WhatsApp Group Chat](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeV7PTQJLHF_vOb6ND0PxA0jHX3JYviVJR7BNsByG8PUMzR3w/viewform)** *Signing up in advance helps us plan better. If you attend the event without signing up or permission, there will be a $9 support fee.*

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/hockley-valley-and-winery)** ***Just over an hour outside of Toronto, enjoy a leisurely hike along the Niagara Escarpment, ending with great food & drink overlooking a vineyard.*** Hockley Valley offers some of the best hiking in the GTA. It’s especially beautiful in the spring time with the trees budding, the ice thawing and no bugs to be found. This hike covers a gentle 6km and brings you over trickling streams and bridges, winds through diverse, piney forests filled with fungi and brings you out to hilly meadows where you may spot the first few wildflowers of the season pushing through. After the hike, we’ll gather together for some time at the Adamo Estate Winery right beside the park to eat, drink and socialize with good company. **Please note anything purchased at the winery is not included in the cost of your registration.** **Highlights** **Diverse Landscapes-** Embrace the wide array of different landscapes you will encounter throughout this adventure **Winery Experience-** Savour amazing wines from a great Ontario producer **Group Social Moment-** The perfect opportunity to connect and chat with fellow WU members **Event cost: $40+HST - optional transport available.** **Register [here. ](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/hockley-valley-and-winery)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.

Hi ladies. Let's hike the Edward Thomas, Spring Creek, and a little multi-purpose trail - approximately 4 miles. Please bring a water bottle as needed and appropriate shoes. Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area.

Hi ladies. We will meet in front of the Nature Center and head to the two Observation decks. We will then hike Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook and Sugarbush trails to get approximately four miles total distance. We will walk approximately a 18 minute mile pace. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes.

We will hike the Ridge Trail and Meadows Trail twice, for a total of 3.8 miles. There are some pretty good inclines so plan on getting a cardio workout :). This is a loop which is pretty easy to follow; thus faster walkers can take the lead and the rest (like me) will bring up the rear at a slightly slower pace. You could also just do the loop once for 1.9 miles. No one left behind. Optional lunch to follow in Canal Winchester. I'm working through the metro parks - this is the third one!

Hi ladies. Let's hike the Edward Thomas, Spring Creek, and a little multi-purpose trail - approximately 4 miles so please wear your shoe of choice. Please bring a water bottle as needed and appropriate shoes. Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area.

Join us for one of our favorite hikes this Tuesday (4/21/26) at 6:30 pm as we hike the Hoover Dam Scenic Trail, starting at the west end of the dam. This hike includes some paved paths/roads along with some dirt trails, with a few beautiful views of the reservoir. Join us for this 2 mile hike, finding us in the parking lot at the corner of Sunbury and Smoke Burr.