Grange Park

Grange Park is a prominent public park in downtown Toronto, situated just south of the Art Gallery of Ontario, beside the Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCADU). The Park lends its name to the Grange Park neighbourhood in the vicinity of the park. The park is actually owned by the AGO, but is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.

Recreational activities at the park include a wading pool turned natural ice rink in the winter, a children's playground, and numerous paths for walking or jogging. 


Park’s History
Park was originally a part of estate built by Boulton family in 1820. The Boulton family played an influential role in developing young city of Toronto. Park had paths that were utilized by carriages as means of getting to an estate. These parks remain today as a testament to the heritage. In 1910, Harriette Boulton Smith bequeathed The Grange house and estate to the newly founded Art Gallery of Toronto, for the purposes of building an art museum on the property.

The park currently is undergoing some debates in regards to its proximity to Butterfield Park. The two parks are separated by a fence and debates are under way whether or not to open up this fence and increase traffic as well as build a basketball court. As a result of the debated, the Grange Park Advisory Committee (GPAC) was established. The goal of GPAC is to create a great city and neighbourhood park, and capitalize on projects aimed at the restoration and revitalization of Grange Park, and to advise on an oversight structure for the on-going maintenance. Another focus of the committee is to examine ecological health of the park. Below are are some responsibilities and roles as directly stated by GPAC.

Responsibilities

• Advise on a restoration and revitalization plan for Grange Park that will be green, strikingly beautiful, resilient, sustainable, accessible, interactive as well as providing a place for contemplation while welcoming all neighbours, residents and visitors to our community by utilizing design excellence, state of the art conservation techniques and outstanding works of art.

• Advise on an ongoing structure after the initial project to ensure that Grange Park is sustained at a consistently high level: well-tended, healthy lawns, shrubs and trees, gardens; well maintained park furniture and works of art; active program of recreational and community activities; and a safe environment especially for children, seniors and people with disabilities; pay tribute to the unique ethno-racial heritage in the community; utilize water features in park amenities.

Roles

• As the Institutional advocate for the Grange Park Project, the AGO will be financially and legally accountable for the project.
• Facilitate the work of the Grange Park Project Committee
• Administer GPP funds including fundraising and the establishment of an endowment fund for ongoing maintenance.

Vision for Grange Park: “To undertake a restoration and revitalization plan that will make Grange Park green, strikingly beautiful, resilient, sustainable and accessible. To create a park that is interactive as well as a place for contemplation.To create a park that welcomes all neighbours, residents and visitors to our community by utilizing design excellence, state of the art conservation techniques and outstanding works of art.”

To learn more about the park and how to get involved in its greening initiative go to http://grangeparktoronto.ca/