One of the necessary amenities that allows us to get the very best out of urban living is access to a lawn, parks, gardens, trails… any green space! We all know that regularly escaping to the outdoors can often be essential to both mental and physical health, and so, it follows that quality of life is enhanced with convenient access to green space.
‘Convenient’ certainly wasn’t a word used to describe any type of recreation in Toronto during the panemic. But now we are at least enjoying enough leeway to be out and about – with the City operating at about 50%.
We live in a country graced by wide-ranging and varied seasons and temperatures, and so we’ve developed habits to make the most of each season – while they last. In Spring, the warm weather calls us out of hibernation to lie down on the nearest swath of green, while in the colder months, Toronto’s many parks become Winter Wonderland playgrounds!
One of our favourite parks to visit is Riverdale Park East, located at 550 Broadview Ave just south of Danforth Avenue. It has a silver screen-worthy view! Literally! It’s used all the time as a picturesque urban backdrop:
This expansive park has all the elements of fantastic green space, including loads of activities, along with a natural landscape that provides an idyllic setting and an unbeatable vantage point for views of the city.
Riverdale Park East is part of the larger Riverdale Park. Riverdale Park dates back to 1880, stretching to both sides of the Don River. It’s huge, spanning some 104 acres. In the 1960s the construction of the DVP essentially sectioned off the park, creating the divisions that we have today. Riverdale Park East is now spread out over about 18 hectares.
Riverdale Park East is the more popular of the two sections of the park and is perhaps best known for the gently sloping hill that descends down from Broadview. In the winter months, this area is a very popular toboggan run. In the milder months, this slope is the perfect perch to pause and take in Toronto’s skyline, which is pretty breathtaking at sunset. Last year it was roped off while the City attempted to re-seed, but its open again and once more taking at battering from athletic enthusiasts and toboggans!
Although the park features loads of natural flora and fauna, the city and the Bring Back the Don taskforce have helped to enhance its setting over the years. The grassy slope became home to many mature maple ash trees; the degraded slope was rebuilt with a trough to run water down to a small marsh that was built in 2002.
*Photo courtesy of BlogTO
The end result is a wonderfully peaceful, pastoral setting, right smack dab in the middle of an urban setting.
If you prefer your park time to be a little more active, you won’t be disappointed with what you’ll find at Riverdale Park East. In the summer, there are a couple of ball diamonds, a running track, an outdoor gym, walking trails, multi-purpose fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, and picnic areas. Many of these need to be avoided or, at the very least, enjoyed responsibly during the pandemic.
*Photo courtesy of BlogTO
There is of course – the Riverdale Park East outdoor pool, which is the perfect reprieve during a hot summer day. By summer, hopefully all City amenities will be open for use!
But for now, it’s all about those fluffy flakes, and how fast you can speed down the nearest hill on a garbage bag! ! Let’s head to the park for a few good run – or spin around the skating rink!
But before we play outside, you have to finish your chores…
What’s your outdoor pleasure? Riverdale Park East most likely can offer it to you!
Check out some of our other favourite parks!
Rennie Park: A Vital Lockdown Playground!
We Adore Kew Gardens In The Beaches
East Lynn Park: The Heart Of A Community
Explore Expansive Sherwood Park In Midtown Toronto
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Steven Fudge, Sales Representative
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