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!

Toronto Music Garden

Toronto Music Garden is located along Toronto’s Harbourfront in downtown Toronto, located at 475 Queen's Quay West on the waterfront between Bathurst Street and Spadina Avenue. 

This park is called a “Music Garden” because the landscape was designed to reflect Bach’s Suite No. 1 in G Major. It was designed by famous international cellist Yo Yo Ma and landscape designer Julie Moir Messery. For more information on the unique design, click the link below:

http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/thewaterfront/parks/musicgarden.cfm

The music garden is best known for its Summer Music in the Garden performances and its audio guided tours which happen between June until September. The garden is also perfect for any flower or garden lover, as it boasts a vast array of plant species and wildlife. 

Although the park is significantly quieter during March, the park is open all year around and is the perfect time to explore the paths and musical landscape of the garden. Sitting right at the waters edge makes for breathtaking and peaceful views. If you are looking for more recreational activities, just to the east of the park sits Harbourfront center and the Natrel skating rink as well as many restaurants. Who wouldn’t love to skate and eat right on the waterfront?

For more information on the various recreational activities at Harbourfront Center, click on the link below: http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/thewaterfront/parks/musicgarden.cfm

Environmental Tip: The Toronto Music Garden and Harbourfront center are located just a short walk from Union Station. Instead of wasting gas by driving, take the TTC or go bus to Toronto’s oldest train station and enjoy the wonderful sights and sounds of the waterfront as you walk to the garden.

Little Norway Park

Located on Toronto's Harbourfront at the intersection of Bathurst Street and Queen's Quay West, Little  Norway Park is a perfect place to visit in March to catch first rays of Spring sun.

How to get here: You can hop on the 509 Harbourfront replacement bus from Union Station (as no streetcars are currently running on Queens Quay) and get off at Bathurst Street. Alternatively, take a 511 Bathurst Streetcar and get off at Queens Quay. If its warm enough out, hop on your bike, or rent a Bixi and reach the park by a bike route along Queens Quay and Lakeshore. The sustainable way to go!

Little Norway Park commemorates Norwegian Air Force training base during the World War II. In 1976, a Norwegian boulder was placed in the park to serve a monument to the time Norwegian Force trained there. In the 1980's the location was cleared and some of the land was used for building a housing complex, while the rest of the area was devoted to the park. In 1987 the park has officially received its current name during which King Olav V of Norway was present.

The park offers an array of sporting activities. There is a baseball diamond, a soccer pitch, a winding jogging paths and a children’s playground. In the Spring and Summer time, the park is blooming with flower gardens and healthy green grass.  If you are walking a dog put it on a leash so the fluffy one doesn’t break the flowers, this way you are helping to preserve the natural habitat.

Things you can do in March: As the spring takes its stroll, the snow starts to melt and uncover the garbage that has been left in the snow all winter. You can help by bringing a garbage bag with you on a stroll and pick up any debris you might see. The park is located right on the edge of the lake and offers a great lake view. Bring your cameras and snap some Spring-inspired shots of awakening nature.