I never noticed this nice mural behind a local shop until recently because all summer it is blocked by numerous bikes up on stands being repaired. The bike shop is very tiny and so most of the work goes on outside but the bike season is winding down here and so voila - the mural is visible. Some people try to ride all winter even in the snow but most of us put the bikes away until spring.
I love this railing/fence/bench that runs for a few hundred feet along the side of a condo down by the lake. The bottom concrete part has indented areas for sitting scattered along it while the galvanized metal ripples along seemingly at random reminiscent of the water in nearby Lake Ontario. I haven't been able to find out the designer but the whole thing is brilliant whoever did it!
This is the enormous Douglas Coupland canoe from Canoe Landing Park (hence the name). A large hill was created with earth from the surrounding construction and the canoe has been placed at the top of it looking down onto the Gardiner expressway and Lake Ontario. The canoe is visible from all over the surrounding area. The white bench visible beside it is one of a few that were built to represent icebergs and which glow at night. Apparently the hillside has had a network of LED lighting installed that form waves of white light after dark. A field trip to the park after dark is going to be a priority - have to see all these special effects!
This is the beaver dam fountain, designed by Douglas Coupland, which is visible in the background in yesterday's pic from Canoe Landing Park. Unfortunately all the decorative fountains and drinking fountains in the city have been drained for the winter so there is no water for the beavers. Apparently the logs light up at night in a myriad of colours so I will have to try to get there at night to capture that. Also, it seems there are waterjets, scattered about in the concrete amongst yesterday's bobs, which shoot up at random. Have to get back next summer!
Probably the newest park in Toronto, "Canoe Landing Park", finally opened this summer in the middle of an area down by the lake on former railway lands that are being filled with condo towers. The 3 acre park has 2 playing fields, a 1 mile running path, and several art pieces by Canadian author/artist Douglas Coupland who was involved in some of the design of the park. I love these giant fishing bobs that he has designed and placed in a lovely area looking down on the playing fields. Just behind them you can glimpse the beaver dam fountain which I will show tomorrow.
Last night (Nov 1) we had the "2nd Annual Pumpkin Patch" in our local park where neighbours brought their Jack-O-Lanterns from Halloween to the park and a display was set up along one of the paths. This year there were just under 400 pumpkins in 2 rows! With free apple cider, pumpkin cookies from a local bakery, and calm weather it was a great night. Luckily I found a short break in the crowds to catch a shot of some of the display. Had to use the flash to be able to see the action.
A local independent brewery has a fleet of vintage trucks that they use for delivery and promo. My favourite is this 1956 Dodge Fargo truck which in its past life was a postal vehicle. Now wonderfully restored and painted their trademark green, it is call "Chuckles" because of all the smiles it gets.
