German Mills Creek (Don)
Encyclopedia
German Mills Creek is a tributary of the Don River
. It originates in Richmond Hill
(near Yonge Street and Elgin Mills Road), flows south through Markham and empties into the Don River East Branch just south of Steeles Avenue near Leslie Street. It is part of a number of streams, swamps and swales located near the Oak Ridges Moraine
.
It is named after the pioneer settlement German Mills, founded by William Berczy
in 1796. The settlement disappeared after a few years, but the creek retained its name. The Richmond Hill branches of the river snakes through residential development with a very narrow greenbelt on either side of the creek. The Markham sections run through a mix of residential, commercial and light industrial areas.
Duncan Woods Creek is a small waterway that merges with German Mills Creek in Toronto
before entering Markham, Ontario
.
There are a few undeveloped portions along the creek, mostly as parks in Markham.
The creek's approximate length is 10 km.
The creek runs into pockets of development:
Don River (Toronto)
The Don River is one of two rivers bounding the original settled area of Toronto, Ontario along the shore of Lake Ontario, the other being the Humber River to the west. The Don is formed from two rivers, the East and West Branches, that meet about north of Lake Ontario while flowing southward into...
. It originates in Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill, Ontario
Richmond Hill is a town located in Southern Ontario, Canada in the central portion of York Region, Ontario. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area, being located about halfway between Toronto and Lake Simcoe...
(near Yonge Street and Elgin Mills Road), flows south through Markham and empties into the Don River East Branch just south of Steeles Avenue near Leslie Street. It is part of a number of streams, swamps and swales located near the Oak Ridges Moraine
Oak Ridges Moraine
The Oak Ridges Moraine is an ecologically important geological landform in the Mixedwood Plains of south-central Ontario, Canada. The moraine covers a geographic area of between Caledon and Rice Lake, near Peterborough...
.
It is named after the pioneer settlement German Mills, founded by William Berczy
William Berczy
William Berczy was a German pioneer and painter....
in 1796. The settlement disappeared after a few years, but the creek retained its name. The Richmond Hill branches of the river snakes through residential development with a very narrow greenbelt on either side of the creek. The Markham sections run through a mix of residential, commercial and light industrial areas.
Duncan Woods Creek is a small waterway that merges with German Mills Creek in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
before entering Markham, Ontario
Markham, Ontario
Markham is a town in the Regional Municipality of York, located within the Greater Toronto Area of Southern Ontario, Canada. The population was 261,573 at the 2006 Canadian census...
.
There are a few undeveloped portions along the creek, mostly as parks in Markham.
The creek's approximate length is 10 km.
Parkland
A list of parks along the creek:- German Mills Settlers Park (26 hectare or 65 acre natural area park) and Wycliffe Park - Markham, OntarioMarkham, OntarioMarkham is a town in the Regional Municipality of York, located within the Greater Toronto Area of Southern Ontario, Canada. The population was 261,573 at the 2006 Canadian census...
- German Mills Creek Channel Lands - Richmond Hill, OntarioRichmond Hill, OntarioRichmond Hill is a town located in Southern Ontario, Canada in the central portion of York Region, Ontario. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area, being located about halfway between Toronto and Lake Simcoe...
- German Mills Creek Park - Richmond Hill, OntarioRichmond Hill, OntarioRichmond Hill is a town located in Southern Ontario, Canada in the central portion of York Region, Ontario. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area, being located about halfway between Toronto and Lake Simcoe...
- Bestview Park Fitness Trail - Toronto
- Bestview Park
- East Donlands Park
- Maple Valley Park
- Valley View Park
- Doncrest Valley
- Langstaff Park
- German Mills Trail
- Toll Bar Park
Communities along German Mills Creek
A list of communities which crosses with the creek:- Elgin Mills - Richmond Hill
- Hillsview - Richmond Hill
- Langstaff - Richmond Hill
- Doncrest - Richmond Hill
- German Mills - Markham
- Hillcrest Village - Toronto
The creek runs into pockets of development:
- Newark Industrial Park
- David Dunlap Obsevatory
- Beaver Creek Business Park
See also
- List of Ontario rivers
- Taylor-Massey Creek (Don)Taylor-Massey Creek (Don)Taylor-Massey Creek is a tributary of the Don River in Toronto, Ontario. It flows through Scarborough and East York, where it enters the Don River. The creek is named after two prominent Toronto families. The Taylors were a wealthy family that owned and operated the Don Valley Brick Works...