January 19, 2022 | Good to Know

If you have ever looked out an airplane window as you fly above Toronto you will see not just towers but you will have seen lots of trees. As you walk around the city you may be surprised how little green space you experience, it’s a matter of vantage point. There are some neighbourhoods that have green space for the nature lover in you. Here are some of our favourite spots.

 

Midtown Toronto

Sherwood Park

Its northern boundary begins in Lytton Park (at Glenview Senior Public School) then travels through Lawrence Park, ultimately leading into another top 5 parks in Toronto, Sunnybrook Park. This is a portion of the longest stretch of park in Toronto; you can reach Lake Ontario’s waterfront by following the paths along the Don River!

Sunnybrook Park

Sunnybrook Park is on the east side of Sunnybrook Hospital just east of Lawrence Park, south of the Bridle Path and north of Leaside. The horse stables are probably the biggest draw, and there is something magical about watching horses trot around in a Toronto park! Sunnybrook Park has got to be the busiest park in our city each weekend in the Summer, and many families can be found BBQing and playing throughout the park.

➤ Learn more about the Lawrence Park area here:

 

East End Toronto

Withrow Park

This is a beautiful park nestled in the centre of the Riverdale Neighbourhood. The lucky homeowners that frame this park have a fantastic view of the city and a sense of an ever-expanding front yard to play in! Withrow has a soccer pitch, baseball diamond, wading pool for the children and an outdoor skating rink – it’s a beautiful place year-round!

➤ To learn more about Riverdale check out our Neighbourhood Guide

 

West End Toronto

Dufferin Grove Park

Dufferin Grove Park is arguably the most well-rounded and diverse park in the city. Thanks to the Friends of Dufferin Grove and others in the neighbourhood the park has been turned into a family-friendly place to visit. A hockey rink, free wireless internet, outdoor pizza oven with pick-your-own herb gardens (yes, this is correct!!), the largest outdoor farmers market in Toronto, the list goes on. The park is Dufferin Grove’s great backyard for all to share!

High Park

High Park is found in the neighbourhood of the same name, bordering on the Swansea neighbourhood. Grenadier Pond is a great attraction, whether it be skating in the winter or strolling through the Cherry Blossoms along the water’s edge in spring and summer. Another excellent feature is the Shakespeare in High Park (put on by Canstage) each summer – bring a picnic and your favourite beverage of choice!

➤ Get a feel for the West End:

 

Toronto Waterfront

Toronto Islands

Toronto is so fortunate to have the Toronto Islands. You can find quiet spaces on each island. It’s our favourite oasis in the summer! Our much-forgotten gem in Toronto! Beaches abound! The quaint cottages are also a great place to stroll on a sunny day. The Royal Canadian Yaught Club is a beautiful property with an incredible view of the downtown core. Formerly the Toronto Islands were not islands but a peninsula stretching from the Docks area on the Leslie Spit. A significant storm severed the land, leaving us with a quiet getaway, just a short ferry ride from the harbourfront. An interesting factoid: Baseball Hall of Famer Babe Ruth hit his first-ever home run on Hanlan’s Point!

 

Downtown Toronto

Jean Sibelius Square

 

Jean Sibelius Square is a small city block smack dab in the middle of the Annex neighbourhood. We have a slight bias here, this is our favourite Annex park! The fortunate few houses that overlook this park are treated to a wonderful outdoor space with children playing, artists creating and dogs-a-walking. It’s a quaint and peaceful spot. Particularly worth a stroll in the late Summer and Fall – the leaves changing colours with the historical red-brick homes is wonderful! Who is Jean Sibelius? Great question! He was a Finnish Composer. There is a statue of him in Jean Sebelius Square, it was donated by the Finnish People of Canada.

Taddle Creek Park

 

If the lost rivers of Toronto could talk! Taddle Creek is one of the great rivers of Toronto that was re-routed through man-made underground culverts. The river runs from St Clair Avenue West all the way to King East near the mouth of the Don River where it meets Lake Ontario.

Taddle Creek Park could best be described as a Parkette, it’s tiny. However, it is a great place to watch the who’s who of the Annex and Yorkville walk by! The key features are a play zone for the little ones and the Vessel art installation that also has a water feature in the warmer months.

Important note, Annex homeowners, before digging your basement out for a renovation it is worth doing your due diligence on the water table, it’s high in the Annex! A sump pump is a must here.

Vermont Square Park

Dog owners, here is your go-to Annex park! There is a good size off-leash area for your pooch! Vermont Square Park also features a wading pool and for those you who love a good match of Bocce Ball, there are three courts to choose from! This is a rarity, not a surprise about that but nonetheless! Vermont Square Park is located in the West Annex (aka Seaton Village).

➤ Want to learn more about all the great things The Annex has to offer?

 


What is your favourite Toronto Park? If you would like to know anything about the above neighbourhoods or any other for that matter, let us know by clicking here. We are here to help with all of your real estate needs! 

 

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