Humber Bay Park

Humber Bay Park is located in the Etobicoke area along the cities beautiful western waterfront. The park consists of two land spits at Mimico Creek and is divided up into Humber Bay Park West and Humber Bay Park East. Only the eastern park sits in Humber Bay. The park has a number of amenities such as trails, a playground, beachfront, picnic tables, as well as a lighthouse (Humber Bay Park West) and a public boating area. Humber Bay Park East is home to a memorial site for victims of the bombings of Air India Flight 182. The park also features two yacht clubs.

Did you Know? The Park is made from landfill that was used to create spits out into the water around mimico creek. Spits are man-made land extensions.

Butterfly Habitat

The Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat is located in Humber Bay Park east, and is the first of its kind to have large areas devoted exclusively to native plants, with large plantings organized by volunteers and community stewards. It is an ecological restoration project that provides a critical habitat for a variety of native butterfly species. The diverse plantations support the butterfly life cycle. The goal of the habitat through its volunteers and community stewards is to establish a self-sustaining native plant community which will support a variety of butterfly species, while engaging and education park users about the value of an urban wildlife habitat.

The habitat consists of a wildflower meadow, short grass prairies, trails, and interpretive signage about the various species of plants and butterflies. The habitat also features a home garden component where the public is able to view various types of plants that they can plant in their own gardens. Private, guided tours are available for the public, and if interested people are welcome to get involved with volunteering by emailing greentoronto@toronto.ca

Upcoming Events:

Join us April 27^th as we help clean up Humber River! It will be a fun day full of eventfulness, a time for friends and family and various school groups to come out and support the community our parks. As a volunteer you even get to participate in free Kayaking and canoeing activities! Visit this facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/402216496541461/?fref=ts

Kay Gardner Beltline Park

Located at 377 Mount Pleasant Road just north of Eglinton West subway station, sits a narrow eastward strip that ends at Yonge and Davisville. This is a green belt created on top of a former railway line.

History

The railway itself was built in 1892 – the belt line railway went through Moore Park and Forest hill, however closed passenger service after only two years of operation. After the 1960’s the railway was abandoned for years until 1972 when the city purchased the land in order to create a park.

Kay Gardner and her husband Raymond, moved to North Toronto in 1961. Since then, Miss Gardner worked as a citizen volunteer and then as a City Councillor for her community.Kay Gardner was the driving force behind the City's acquisition of these Beltline lands and their conversion to a 4.5-kilometer long linear park.  In recognition of her vision and commitment to people and community, this park was renamed to "Kay Gardner Beltline Park".

Recreation

The Kay Gardner Beltline is a really interesting park with trails perfect for walking or roller blading. It is a place to smell flowers, watch birds and ride a bike - a place in the heart of the city to escape the city. It also overlooks the backyards of the Forest Hill neighbourhood – one of the richest neighbourhoods in Toronto. The park is also great for kids as there is a playground.

Did You Know? The stuff on the ground of the playground looks like gravel, but is actually recycled rubber!

St. James Park

St. James Park is situated in the heart of downtown Toronto along 106 King Street East between Jarvis & Church Streets.

St. James Park is best known for its summer music in the park, featuring six free concerts. The bandstand in the center of the park, even when not being used, is a beautiful spot for photos and for overlooking the garden.

Located beside the park is the historic and majestic St. James Cathedral. The park itself was planned as a formal garden for the cathedral, often a host to many wedding parties and beautiful garden displays.

 If you’re looking to make a full day out of visiting this area, there is a lot to do in the surroundings. Just two blocks south of St. James Park is Toronto’s historic St. Lawrence market, featuring amazing variety of farmers markets with sustainable and locally grown food. There are always events going on that foodies will love. March 21^st is a beer and cheese seminar about the various beer styles and classic cheese matches.

Wanless Park

This island of green space is located in one of the small neighbourhoods of Toronto, just north of Lawrence Avenue between Bayview Avenue and Yonge Street. The park is relatively small in size, with approximately 5 acres of green space.

Recreation
The park is a favourite amongst the neighbouring communities as features an extensive array of fun and recreational activities. Numerous tennis courts, a basketball court, a children’s playground, a wading pool with a lifeguard, a baseball diamond and grass fields. During the winter, a skating rink is installed in the spot of the pool. During the summer, the park is utilized for camps and Ultimate Frisbee tournaments.

Sustainable Initiative
Every April (which is coming soon!) an annual “Clean up a Park Day” take place by the Wanless Park neighbourhood residents. They come out to clean up garbage and clear any non-compostable matter. The day usually falls on the weekend and all of the volunteers are provided with refreshments such as juice, tea and water. In addition, the residents donate and plant trees in the park in the memory of their loved ones. These trees typically have a plaque engraved with a name of their loved one in front of them.


Wanless Park is a great example of how community can encourage and promote sustainability in its city through care for its environment. The idea behind our blog is to inspire more of such green initiatives and instill love for the city's parks and green space.

Coronation Park

Located on Remembrance Drive off Fort York Blvd, Coronation Park boasts a large area of green land. The park is kept in excellent condition all year round due to its historical significance. Coronation Park was established in 1934 when conservationists and war veterans decided to expand the role of the park by commemorative coronation planting. On May 12, 1937 the largest ceremonial planting of its time in Canada took place. A royal oak tree surrounded by a ring of oak trees was planted to create a central focus in the park. A grove of maple trees was also planted in memory of the many Canadian troops who fought overseas. 
 
Recreation 
Those war buffs in you can visit Battery Park to see a warplane, tank and artillery gun. For those who are looking for an active recreation, the park features a regional softball center with three slo-pitch softball diamonds are illuminated for night games.

Things to do in March
This park is perfect for a historical type of tourism. For those who are looking to learn about Toronto’s military history, include this park on your list along with Historic Fort York located just steps away. Fort York National Historic Site is a birthplace of urban Toronto. It is the location where the Battle of York came to its violent climax in 1813 during the War of 1812. The Fort served as the city's primary harbour defence between the 1790s and the 1880s, and was the home of a military garrison until the 1930s.

Ashbridges Bay

Location: Lake Shore Blvd East M4L 3W6
District: Toronto & East York

If you like the beach and enjoy a nice jog or simply a relaxed walk down the boardwalk, Ashbridges Bay is perfect for you! This park is composed of 35 hectares of waterfront park which includes a regional softball centre and public boat launch ramps. Pedestrian and bicycle trails are located on the Martin Goodman Trail. Complementing its expansive beaches is the Woodbine Beach boardwalk. Also on site, is a recently renovated restaurant where you can relax indoors and enjoy a cold drink along with delicious food after a day full of nature, relaxation, and exercise!

The park features three slow-pitch softball diamonds and a rugby pitch. The park also has beach volleyball games throughout the summer so if you're looking for a recreational activity that commences weekly, beach volleyball is a perfect way to stay active with friends while getting some sun. The park even has a skateboarding park just a few minutes north of the beach!

In March Ashbridges bay is still beautiful to visit with restaurants and the boardwalk, softball pitches, skate park, and surrounding green space available to enjoy all year round.

Did you know? The park is named after Sarah Ash Bridge, a Quaker widow and United Empire
Loyalist from Philadelphia who settled here in 1793 and obtained a Crown land grant for a farm
in 1799.

Riverdale Farm

Located in the heart of downtown community of Cabbagetown, his extrinsic farm offers 7.5 acres of scenic views along the pathways through wooded areas, around ponds, and into butterfly-herb-flower-vegetable gardens. The farm hosts many farm animals such as horses, cows, goats and chickens.


Did you know?

In 1894 the farm opened to become Toronto’s first zoo, but eventually it was closed in 1974 with the animals relocated to the new Toronto Zoo in Scarborough.The park features three buildings that remain from the old Riverdale Zoo! Although the farm isn’t that big in size, it is an urban gem, being located just blocks from the downtown core.

Recreation
Learn and chat with the farmer during daily chores that may include animal feeding, egg collection, cow milking or goat milking, horse grooming, and mucking out the stalls-pens-paddocks. These products will be later sold at a farmer's market.

Bluffers Park

To the east of the city, but West to the historical area of Guildwood, lies one of the most beautiful and breathtaking beaches in the city. The gorge is hidden from the rest of the cities bustling life, with only a few steep stairs to hint at its existence. Bluffers Park boasts pristine sandy beaches, incredible rock formations, and a popular marina, which in the summer time plays host to many recreational activities such as boating, sailing, swimming and more.

Located at the edge of the Scarborough Bluffs at 1 Brimley Road, the park stretches 14km along the Lake Ontario shore from the eastern beach of Toronto to West Hill. Bluffer’s park was designed to improve public access to the waterfront, and is Toronto’s only full service marina in the summertime. Even during the colder months, the park has major hiking trails, including a trail up to the parks highest point, Cathedral Bluffs, which rises 90 meters above Lake Ontario!

Did You Know? The unique geological rock formations of Bluffers park resulted from the accumulation of sedimentary deposits when the Wisconsin Glacier advanced and retreated nearly 12,000 years ago. Natural processes of wind and water erosion from Lake Ontario formed the resulting cliffs. 

Environmental Tip: Taking the TTC or carpooling is much less stressful then taking a car. I hear that parking in the summertime is horrid, apparently drivers get into scraps over parking spots, and it’s not free. The best TTC route is to take the Kingston Road 12 Eastbound bus from Victoria Station. Lessen your carbon footprint, and save your money!