Urban living doesn’t have to be a compromise. Toronto boasts numerous parks and green spaces mere steps away from new real estate developments.Elton Law/Getty Images
Big city life conjures up visions of tall buildings, bustling streetscapes, restaurants and shops. And while this may be true for Toronto, the city also boasts a plethora of green spaces with peaceful parks and recreational retreats mere steps away from new real estate developments that offer all the amenities and conveniences of urban living.
Cedarvale Park
Home to many celebrities and prominent personalities, Forest Hill’s Tudor and Georgian-style homes mingle with luxurious and unique new rental residences offered at 2Fifteen. Located at 215 Lonsdale Rd., 2Fifteen’s multiple terraces and a 17th-floor patio replete with outdoor fireplaces look out to the Toronto skyline and the parks and green spaces below. A short walk away, Cedarvale Park is a hub for outdoor activity with its pickleball and tennis courts, cricket pitch field and bike trails. Dogs love the off-leash area and dog fountain. Children discover summer fun with a splashpad and plenty of play equipment.
The Village of Yorkville Park
A short bike ride away from 2Fifteen is the award-winning gem of a green space known as The Village of Yorkville Park, where metal columns, a stainless steel rain curtain and icicle fountain, and inner tube benches meet up with native trees, wildflowers and marshy wetlands for a contemporary twist on the traditional neighbourhood park. Visitors can discover a 650-ton rock transplanted from the Canadian Shield thought to be one billion years old. Soon the park will play host to Summer Music in the Park, an annual event featuring live music all summer long.
David A. Balfour Park and Rosehill Reservoir
With its stunning Victorian homes and luxurious condominiums, tree-lined streets, upscale shopping and plenty of park space, Summerhill truly has it all. Residents can once again experience the beauty of the neighbourhood’s much-loved David A. Balfour Park and Rosehill Reservoir following a multimillion-dollar revitalization. The park is accessible from all sides with plenty of ramps, wide pathways and a paved trail around the entire perimeter. New benches take shelter from the shade under leafy trees and added lighting creates a feeling of warmth and safety for visitors. Residents of 36 Birch, North Drive Investments’ stunning new collection of townhomes in the heart of Summerhill, can explore the park’s 20 hectares of forested walking trails and enjoy the playground, community garden and sports field with family and friends.
Ramsden Park
Ramsden Park is also another choice destination for those fortunate enough to call 36 Birch home. Running east-west between Yonge Street and Avenue Road, the park’s roster of recreational offerings includes a skating rink, off-leash area for dogs, baseball diamond and a dozen tennis courts. The playground is a paradise for young and old, featuring a three-layer sandbox with water pump and concrete ping pong tables. The crown jewel is a central climbing structure, like the mast and crow’s nest of a ship, with a large slide.
High Park
Just west of downtown is High Park, Toronto’s largest park with just over 160 hectares of forested areas, creeks, rare plant species and the city’s largest pond. The most famous and admired plant communities in the park are the black oak savannahs, which are remnants of the sand prairie systems that once covered much of southern Ontario’s landscape. Each spring, Toronto residents descend onto High Park to witness the splendour of white and pink cherry blossoms, a true marker that warmer weather is here to stay.
High Park is a favourite destination for Carrie Reinhardt. “Every year the Canadian Stage Company hosts Shakespeare in the Park and it’s absolutely magical,” the resident of Oakville says. “I’ve gone with friends and family. The performances take place under the stars in a rustic outdoor amphitheatre nestled among the trees. It’s right out of a scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream; you wouldn’t be surprised to see a wood sprite pop out from behind a tree.”
Riverdale Park East
Toronto resident Anyssa Close believes access to parks is important, particularly for those working from home as she does.
“I like to get outside for a bit each day and what better way than to visit a park. It is very helpful from a mental health perspective, and it is a fun place to connect with friends,” Close says. Riverdale Park East is one of Close’s favourite Toronto parks. “It has an amazing view of the city and it’s a great place for picnics and watching the sunsets.”
Riverdale Park East has a New York City Central Park vibe where people often congregate on the grassy hills to enjoy the epic view, play frisbee or practise tai chi. It features two ball diamonds, three multipurpose sports fields, a running track, seven tennis courts, an artificial outdoor ice rink and ball hockey pad, a picnic area and a children’s playground. The park is also adjacent to the Riverdale Farm, where families can get a taste of farm life close to home.
Rosedale Park
Nestled in one of Toronto’s oldest and prestigious neighbourhoods is Rosedale Park, home to exciting new luxury condominium developments and palatial homes. The park offers the perfect escape for fun and recreation with its eight tennis courts, sports field, running track, artificial ice rink, playground and wading pool. Since 1946, the park has been home to an annual spring event called Mayfair featuring live music, barbecues, rides, midway games and a beer garden.
Urban living doesn’t have to be a compromise. Toronto’s exciting parks and recreation scene lets you experience the best of all worlds. The benefits of urban parks go far beyond their role in contributing to a healthy environment and acting as a hub for local communities. Green space can also help increase property values, while also attracting businesses to an area.
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