A Look Into Toronto's Municipal Parks

Baran Ghaforian

Opinions

Expressing dislike for your residential area can be an inaugural aspect of coming of age. In Toronto, complaints about the dull infrastructure and limited bike rails run rampant. The lack of “third places,” recreational areas that are not work (or school) and home, is continuously brought up. Of course, the city has room for improvement, but Toronto offers incredible public services such as the Toronto Public Library and municipal parks. With warmer days on the horizon, it is fitting to honour what is arguably the city’s greatest asset with a list of five great Toronto parks.

5. High Park

As Toronto’s most famous park, High Park has a subway station and a former federal electoral district named after it. High Park is Toronto’s second largest park as well, boasting six natural trails into the park, six paved paths, and a small railless train. It is also one of the only Canadian parks that permits fishing. It is easier to access High Park in colder months, but the park’s cherry blossoms are a spring staple of the city. High Park is the venue for a variety of Toronto-based activities, including Shakespeare in the Park. The sheer size of High Park ensures there is always something going on. Sadly, the 400-acre recreational space is not enough to hold the crowds of visitors. Though this park is one of Toronto’s most notable, the ice rink and hilly landscapes are not always worth the crowds.

4. Bluffer’s Park

Scarborough is often overlooked in discussions regarding Toronto. This does not change the fact that the east end is home to many remarkable landmarks and holds the title of the greenest area of Toronto. The Scarborough Bluffs are especially renowned. The escarpment borders Lake Ontario and hosts several parks. Bluffer’s Park is unique as it is the only park affiliated with the Bluffs that houses a beach. Many find Bluffer’s Park Beach favourable to other Toronto beaches such as Woodbine Beach due to the cleaner water and smaller crowds.

3. Edwards Gardens

Edwards Gardens is a botanical garden above all else. It is a garden whose sole purpose is education and research. Plants are documented for science and labelled with their botanical names. Edwards Gardens is home to greenhouses and rare wildflowers and is unique as it offers civilians a view of scientific plant life. The park, located at Leslie and Lawrence, has ten recreational trails. These trails are used by runners and bikers alike and lead into new green spaces such as Sunnybrook Park. The scenic park is located along several ravines, creating an even more idealistic outdoor environment.

2. Toronto Music Garden

Toronto’s lively art and music scene is reflected in this municipal park. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and several other artists first conceived the Toronto Music Garden, inspired by Bach’s “Suite No. 1 for Unaccompanied Cello.” The park was originally set to be built in Boston but ended up being constructed by Canadian artists and architects for Toronto’s waterfront. Many Toronto residents visit the Toronto Music Garden, though this park is not as widely known to tourists. The vibrant flowers, picturesque paved routes, and stunning amphitheatre showcase Toronto’s rich artistic history while offering green space to Torontonians.

1. Lee Lifeson Art Park

Located in North York, steps away from Yonge Street, lives the Lee Lifeson Art Park. Formerly part of Willowdale Park, the park was revamped in 2016 and named after Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, members of the band Rush. It’s clear how the park is inspired by music and sound. An abundance of performances have taken place on the Art Park’s small stage and the park hosts a beautiful mural, but this park also holds value to the Earl Haig community. The Lee Lifeson Art Park is the closest municipal park to Earl Haig Secondary School. Students of the school frequent the area and undoubtedly have memories tied to the park. Nevertheless, this park fades into the background due to its consistent role in students’ routines. It is easy to lose sight of the beauty Toronto offers, and the Art Park is an excellent example of this.