Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto’s Don River watershed experienced significant flooding on July 16. The incident marked one of the most severe floods since the site’s opening. According to a news release from Evergreen, a flood recovery team is currently assessing the damage and ensuring the site’s safety, with cleanup operations already underway. The management has expressed hopes to reopen the site as soon as possible.

The site is home to a popular farmer’s market, a school, restaurant, day camps, retail shops and much more.

Evergreen also took the opportunity to draw attention to its flood management measures that helped the popular site avoid some of the potential devastation.

Flood Management Measures

Evergreen Brick Works has implemented several green design features to manage stormwater and mitigate flood damage. These measures include:

• Cupolex Foundation: This foundation system creates a ventilated void under buildings, allowing water, moisture, and gases to escape, reducing moisture buildup and improving air circulation.
• Elevated Infrastructure: Key mechanical and electrical rooms are built on the second floor or higher, with electrical outlets positioned above the 25-year flood level to minimize damage during floods.
• Cement Boards: Water-tolerant, removable, and washable cement boards are used on the lower portions of interior walls to facilitate easier cleanup after flooding.
• Greenways: These stretches of green corridors capture, treat, and slow the flow of stormwater runoff, reducing the impact of floods on the site and surrounding waterways. They are planted with native species to support local wildlife and pollinators.
• Cisterns: Large rain barrels, each holding 20,000 liters, collect and store rainwater. These cisterns can significantly reduce city water usage and help mitigate flooding by reducing runoff into the stormwater system.
• Pervious Concrete: This type of concrete, which contains 25% more air than traditional concrete, allows rainwater to pass through, filtering it naturally through the soil and reducing surface runoff.

Located in the Lower Don floodplain, Evergreen Brick Works is no stranger to flooding. According to Evergreen, the site last experienced a major flood in 2013. The green design features implemented at the Brick Works aim to manage stormwater effectively and minimize flood damage.

Call for Community Support

Evergreen Brick Works is calling on the community for support via donations to its emergency flood recovery fund that will aid in the site’s restoration and ensure that community programming can continue.