Alley Way Love Affair: Toronto Laneway Tours

Growing up in High Park/Roncessvalles village my brother and I never played in our back yard(s). Back yards were boring. Yards were where moms sun tanned and listened to the Sunday opera and dads cursed a blue streak while trying to outsmart the perennial garbage menace known as the Raccoon. They were serene and safe but what fun is that when you are 9 years old?

As soon as we were old enough, my friends and I preferred to venture beyond our back yard sanctuaries, and cavort in the Laneways. Lanes were no man's land. They were neutral territory upon which neighbourhood feuds could be played out, where water balloon fights could be held and where there was always some sort of delicious mischief to get into.

My love of lanes began way back then and I am glad to find out that I am not the only one who cherishes these hidden networks. Graeme Perry, a cartographer and fellow laneway lover has assembled a site which celebrates the humble alley as more than a place to put your recycling bins and park your car.

In the summer of 2003 Perry, who grew up in the burbs, began taking pictures of lanes he found on his travels through old Toronto. These photos have been compiled on Perry's site: Laneing: Toronto laneways. By clicking on the maps and mousing over the black dots you can navigate lanes from a number of downtown neighbourhoods such as: the Annex, Little Italy and Yonge Street.

In addition to the web site Perry guides free, semi-weekly bike tours of the lanes. The tour meets at then entrance to the Distillery District at Mill and Trinity Streets on Sundays at 11am. The tour will take you through Regent Park, Corktown and ends in Cabbagetown. Along the way you will see converted industrial buildings, residential garage rows and innovative Laneway Housing which is becoming a popular way to reclaim inner city space.

The next 'Laneing' tour takes place on July 10th. If you are interested in discovering more about another hidden side of Toronto email Perry and let him know: laneways@graemeparry.com

First & last photos by Graeme Perry