Toronto getting a series of laneway crawls this summer

With more than 250 kilometres worth of laneways and alleys in Toronto, The Laneway Project is working to reanimate these oft-unused spaces. That's why it's hosting a Laneway Crawl series this summer.

The 2016 Laneway Crawl will unfold over various weekends between June and September. And these events will bring together artists, musicians, BIAs and residents' associations to transform these overlooked back roads for people throughout Toronto.

The Laneway Project describes its latest initiative as a series of pop-up festivals and is looking for community involvement to make them work. It hosted one such crawl in Bloordale last summer and it's now expanding to four additional neighbourhoods.

While many of us don't use Toronto's laneways, this locally based organizations knows they're full of potential and is working to change how we think about them.

Here's the 2016 Laneway Crawl schedule:

• June 11, noon to 4 p.m. - Bloordale Laneway Crawl
• June 18, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Summer Solstice Laneway Crawl in the Junction
• July 16 - Reggae Lane Crawl and mural unveiling (Eglinton and Oakwoods) (
• August 20 - Danforth East Laneway Crawl
• September 25 - Crawlfest (Christie Pits)

Photo by Katrina Afonso