Guildwood Park

Guildwood Park is one of the hidden gems situated at the edge of the city. Located to the eastern edges of Toronto’s lakeshore at 20 Guildwood Parkway, this park is just as much a historical museum as it is a green haven. The park features mature forests, serene walking trails, and historic stone sculptures and arches.

Guildwood Park has been a haven for the arts since 1932 for more than 100 artists and their families to live and work. The private residence was owned by the Clark family however was converted into a base for the woman’s royal navy during the Second World War. The property was returned to the family after the war was over.

Things to do in March: The park has two winding nature trails to suit the needs of various hikers. The first is not for the faint of heart, and makes for a physically active adventure. The trail winds along the lake over the cliffs edge, which makes for breathtaking views and picture perfect scenery. The second is for those who may want to take a shorter and less physically demanding trip, which winds through the forest towards the Guild Inn.

Guildwood Park is more or less a photographers dream. Aside from the amazing scenic views, the park features a vast array of historical artifacts, including a greek style amphitheater, with columns taken from the first Bank of Canada building in Toronto. You can also see an old log cabin dating back to 1795, with a slab of decorative concrete beside it taken from what once was the tallest skyscraper in the British Empire in 1895. The building was at the corner of Toronto’s very own Bay and Richmond! 

Guildwood Park is also a major destination for weddings and other major events. So if wedding crashing is your thing, you know where to go!

Rouge Park

Located at the Eastern edge of Toronto bordering Pickering lies a vast beautiful natural oasis called Rouge Park. Rouge Park is Canada’s first national urban park. With major events happening monthly, a kid’s zone, and a variety of hikes and activities, this park has everything to satisfy the nature lover from young to old. The park is also located next to the Toronto Zoo, so if you wanted to really jam-pack your day, you could always end your day at the park with a trip to the zoo, or vice versa!

Something you probably didn’t know: The Rouge River got its name from riverbank day causing the stream to look red, or “rouge” in French, hence the name Rouge Park.

Things to do in March: The month of March brings the first sights and sounds of spring, including blossoming flowers, leaves, and birds. March is the perfect time to take a guided hike in Rouge Park. Guided hikes happen 4 to 5 times a week at Rouge Park, and about 3 times daily. Each guided hike has a different challenge and activity level, so there’s something for everyone. You can download the walking schedule from The Rouge Park official website. Groups for the hike can be up to 15 people. 

High Park

High Park is the largest public park in Toronto. Located in Toronto’s west end near Keele Station, this park features many hiking trails, sports facilities, a man made lakefront, dog park, zoo, playground, eateries, greenhouse, picnic areas, and much much more!

What could you do in March? High Park can satisfy every hikers need - Grenadier Pond is a man made lake, which features long and winding waterfront trails. The zoo is also a really great way of engaging children young and old! It is open all year around from 7am till dusk. The zoo features bison, deer, llamas, peacocks, cattle and more, and best of all – it’s absolutely free! High park also has an amazing playground haven for children. What makes this playground so special exactly? Well it was designed in part by children for one, and consists of castles, ropes, swings, ladders, slides and artwork by kids and volunteers.

Another great winter activity is skating – the summer tennis courts are converted into a skating rink during the cold months, so there is something to do during every season! The hiking trails also make for perfect cross-country skiing. I’m not too sure how much snow we will continue to get in March, but you never really know with Toronto’s crazy weather!

The park also hosts a wide variety of events. Last March, the park hosted a large 5k Run and 1k walk to support Gaza charity. This years events for March have yet to be posted, but the events calendar below can be viewed for any upcoming events:

http://www.highparktoronto.com/events.php

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.