Leaside Bridge

One of the more impressive sights on the Lower Don Valley Recreation Trail is the Leaside Bridge. (The most impressive sight on this trail would have to be the Prince Edward Viaduct.) The Leaside Bridge, which opened in 1927, connects Millwood Avenue, to the north, with Pape and Donlands Avenues, to the south. Pape and Donlands meet at the southern side of the bridge.

I envy the lucky people who use the Lower Don Valley Recreation Trail to commute. It is an interesting ride through its entire length: a place where the wilderness and urban join. The Leaside Bridge is a good example of this.







Underneath the bridge it is quite overgrown and wild.







The bridge looms overhead as you approach it.



There is a lot of graffiti on the bridge. Most of it is within easy reach, but someone went out of their way to add “FRENS.” I don’t know what “FRENS” refers to.







Some examples of graffiti at the feet of the concrete pillars supporting the bridge.



The pillars are covered in concrete patches.



Here, the Don River makes its way under the bridge. The concrete footing here doesn’t seem altogether well supported to me. Incidentally, I acquired a three-centimetre nail through my rear tire as I rode off-trail to take this picture.