Did you know that Toronto currently has about 1,600 parks and 600 kilometres of trails, which translates to about 8,000 hectares? That’s approximately 13 per cent of Toronto’s overall land area – not bad for a major metropolitan centre!
While not all of the city’s parks are lucky enough to be associated with a tennis club, health club, and lawn bowling club, that’s not what makes Kew Gardens so special. Rather it is the expanse of green space, access to the beach, and plethora of gardens and greenery that make it one of our favourite spots in the city!
Kew Gardens is a busy 6.5 hectare park, located in the Beach neighbourhood (and is often called Beaches Park), where the natural world is allowed to flourish! It stretches from Queen Street East down to the Lakeshore, eventually meeting up with the boardwalk and beach that run along the Lake Ontario shoreline. This is where the tennis courts, sports pad, change rooms, snack bar, and water filling station are located. Even an ice rink in the winter months!
When you reach the boardwalk, you will think you are somewhere else – certainly not a 20 minute streetcar ride from the centre of Toronto. This place is so picturesque it belongs on a postcard! Sit, relax, take pictures, walk the dog, or, if you’re feeling industrious, go for a jog!
Along its Queen Street edge you’ll find a cenotaph (commemorating those who fought in the First and Second World Wars), seasonal flower beds, and even a library, while the interior of the park holds a wading pool and playground (the perfect place to entertain kids on a sunny summer afternoon), trails, naturalized and open grassy areas, a baseball diamond, and a bandstand used for hosting events. At the foot of Lee Avenue lies the Gardener’s Cottage, a historic building also known as Kew Williams House surrounded by attractive seasonal plantings.
If you have a furry friend who loves to frolic, Kew Gardens has a great off-leash area, adjacent the beach, where owners can sit and watch their pets at play. Check out other great off-leash parks here.) Fancy book at the beach? Visit the Beaches Library branch, right at the head of the park!
Want to learn more? Read about Kew Gardens and its history here.
Could you imagine making this beloved park your family’s local sports field and playground? Or having the lake close enough for a daily dip?! Check out this A Hide ‘N Seek Sanctuary In The Beach, now offered for sale at $1,799,000!!
And here’s A Unique Architectural Masterpiece In The Beach, NOW SOLD, located a few short blocks from Kew Gardens!!
Whether you have an hour or an afternoon, spending time in your neighbourhood park – or exploring new parks – is a great way to get some fresh air, soak up some much-needed Vitamin D, and even engage with your community. Toronto’s fabulous green spaces, including Kew Gardens, need to be coveted and celebrated! Be sure to treat them with care! We also love Sorauren Park, Monarch Park and Dufferin Grove Park.
Thanks for reading!
The Urbaneer Team
Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage • (416) 322-8000
http://www.urbaneer.com • info@urbaneer.com
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