#ExperienceTO: West Bend Historical Tour

Alex Rascanu

Join us for the free-to-attend West Bend Historical Tour.

Baird Park

#ExperienceTO

Join us for an #ExperienceTO historical tour that will be a good experience for anyone: whether you’re 8 or 80 years old, and whether you’re a curious local, solo traveler, backpacker, newcomer, or part of a group of friends.

"Baird Park is named after the last Mayor of West Toronto Junction, William Baird, whose home stands just south at 263 Keele Street. In its early days, a horse drawn band wagon (yes, the real thing) played in the park. Immediately west across Keele is the site of the Carleton Race Course (1857-1876). It was between Annette, Glenlake, Keele and Aziel. The first running of the Queen’s Plate was held there on June 27, 1860. It was subdivided into building lots in 1883. Some of the houses on High Park Blvd were built so as to take advantage of a view of the racetrack. West Toronto was known for its brick factories due to the quality of the local clays." (<a href="https://thewestbend.ca/walking-tour/" title="https://thewestbend.ca/walking-tour/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">West Bend Community Association</a>)Join us for a FREE, public walking tour that will be a good experience for anyone: whether you’re 8 or 80 years old, and whether you’re a curious local, solo traveler, backpacker, newcomer, or part of a group of friends. ABOUTBeginning in front of the West Bend "a city within a park" sign in Baird Park (275 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M6P 2K5), the interactive tour will be hosted by your guide <a href="https://rascanu.com/" title="https://rascanu.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Alex Rășcanu</a>. We have two guest speakers who are local community leaders and will facilitate parts of the tour: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoineed/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoineed/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Domitillah Antoinee</a> (Co-Chair of the <a href="https://thewestbend.ca/" title="https://thewestbend.ca/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">West Bend Community Association</a>) and <a href="https://stmartininthefields.ca/staff/the-reverend-nicholas-hatt/" title="https://stmartininthefields.ca/staff/the-reverend-nicholas-hatt/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Reverend Nicholas Hatt</a> (Rector of <a href="https://stmartininthefields.ca/" title="https://stmartininthefields.ca/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">St. Martin-in-the-Fields</a>). The tour will focus on West Bend's history. The historical tour will conclude at a nearby coffee shop. WHENSaturday, September 6, 2025 at 11:00am. The tour will last approximately 90 minutes. WHERE TO MEETThe tour will start in Baird Park (275 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M6P 2K5), in front of the West Bend "a city within a park" sign. WHERE IT ENDSThis tour will end at a nearby coffee shop, where you can order coffee/tea/brunch and spend some more time speaking and connecting with fellow historical tour participants. FACILITATORS Main facilitator: <a href="https://rascanu.com/" title="https://rascanu.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Alex Rășcanu</a> is a Torontonian, a husband, a father of four, and an avid student of our city's history. Stay in touch with him on <a href="https://ca.linkedin.com/in/alexrascanu" title="https://ca.linkedin.com/in/alexrascanu" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/alex_rascanu" title="https://twitter.com/alex_rascanu" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">X</a> / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alex.rascanu/?hl=en" title="https://www.instagram.com/alex.rascanu/?hl=en" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/alexrascanuto/" title="https://www.facebook.com/alexrascanuto/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs50BHjf01iwuLLUuCqLbmw" title="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs50BHjf01iwuLLUuCqLbmw" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">YouTube</a>.Guest speakers: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoineed/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoineed/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Domitillah Antoinee</a> (Co-Chair of the <a href="https://thewestbend.ca/" title="https://thewestbend.ca/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">West Bend Community Association</a>) and <a href="https://stmartininthefields.ca/staff/the-reverend-nicholas-hatt/" title="https://stmartininthefields.ca/staff/the-reverend-nicholas-hatt/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Reverend Nicholas Hatt</a> (Rector of <a href="https://stmartininthefields.ca/" title="https://stmartininthefields.ca/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">St. Martin-in-the-Fields</a>).

#ExperienceTO West Bend Historical Tour

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#ExperienceTO: West Bend Historical Tour

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