Usually the Don River is too shallow for canoeing, but once each May a dam upriver is opened enough to make for smooth sailing -- or rather, paddling -- from Ernest Thompson Seton Park in Don Mills all the way to the mouth of the river at Keating Channel in Toronto Harbour, under the flyover of the Gardiner Expressway.

This year over 600 paddlers in 315 canoes and kayaks participated in the Manulife Paddle the Don event, organized by Toronto and Region Conservation. Along the way they saw a different kind Toronto where erosion, run-off, animal habitat (even deer) and recreation all co-exist. Click on the video and go along for the ride.

This Yonge Street Video has been produced by Darren Alexander.