As Canada’s largest city (and Ontario’s capital), Toronto is a beautiful jungle of big concrete buildings and busy streets. However, as anyone who lives in Toronto will tell you, the city is much more than a sea of skyscrapers. With over 1,500 parks, Toronto has no shortage of gorgeous natural green spaces to explore. In fact, with so many to visit, it can be hard for international students new to the city to know where to start. Fortunately, we have you covered. Whether you’re new to the city or a longtime resident, you’ll want to make time to visit these green spaces in Toronto!
Riverdale Park
Source: blogTO
Riverdale Park is a large park spanning the Lower Don River and offers one of the best views of the Toronto skyline. As well as great views, the park is home to Riverdale Farm, which features real livestock and year-round free admission. If farming isn’t your thing, you can also check out the park’s ball diamonds, running track, seven tennis courts, and relaxing picnic area. During the winter, Riverdale is a popular destination for ice skating and tobogganing too. With so much to do, it’s no surprise that Riverdale Park is regarded as one of the best green spaces in Toronto!
Village of Yorkville Park
Source: City of Toronto
Village of Yorkville Park is situated in one of Toronto’s trendiest neighbourhoods, and shares a name with nearby Yorkville University, one of Toronto’s most popular institutions for international students. The park is actually a reclaimed parking lot—and although that may not sound very appealing, Yorkville Park has won many design awards! The park is split into 11 landscapes that represent Canada’s diverse geography. It may not be Toronto’s largest natural green space, but Yorkville Park’s unique design offers a welcome break from the busy city.
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University of Toronto St. George Campus
Photo by Narciso Arellano on Unsplash
One of Canada’s top universities is also one of Toronto’s best green spaces. Located near Queen’s Park, University of Toronto’s large St. George campus is worth exploring even if you aren’t a student there. The school’s unique architecture and relaxing walking spaces have even drawn comparisons to Hogwarts from the Harry Potter series. You may even come across people playing Quidditch on U of T’s sports fields! Some specific areas worth checking out include the Bamboo Garden at the Donnelly Centre and the Philosopher’s Walk.
Trinity Bellwoods Park
Source: Toronto Bike Tours
A popular place, especially during the summer, Trinity Bellwoods Park has the benefit of being located near some of the best food in Toronto. Whether you’re grabbing food from the nearby farmers’ market, or from one of the excellent eateries on Queen West or Ossington, you won’t go hungry. Though the park can get crowded in the summer months, it offers something for everyone. If you’re into sports, relaxation, or want to take your dog to the off-leash area, Trinity Bellwoods Park is a green space in Toronto worth visiting.
Corktown Common
Source: City of Toronto
One of Toronto’s newer green spaces, Corktown Common was originally built as an athletes’ village for the 2015 Pan Am games. Today, this former industrial area in the West Don Lands neighbourhood is a striking park and community hub. Though small compared to other parks in the area, Corktown is well worth the visit for its unique design. The park not only offers great views of the Toronto skyline, but has a variety of things to do and see. These include playgrounds, a splash pad, wetlands, a lily pond, and a public fireplace. It’s also a great spot for bird watching without leaving the city!
High Park
High Park is one of Toronto’s most popular parks for good reason: there’s just so much to do! There’s truly something for everyone in Toronto’s largest public park, including hiking trails, dog parks, sports facilities, greenhouses, and even a zoo. High Park is also a major cultural centre during the summer months, with free Shakespeare in High Park performances. Early spring is an especially popular time to visit, when the cherry blossom trees are in bloom. If you’re not into crowds, High Park might not be the best place to relax—but it’s still one of Toronto’s must-see green spaces!
Allan Gardens
If you’re looking for somewhere a little less crowded than High Park or Trinity Bellwoods Park, pay a visit to Allan Gardens. This park and indoor botanical garden has six greenhouses, with over 16,000 square feet of colourful plants and flowers. Allan Gardens is conveniently located downtown on Jarvis Street, and is a hidden gem amongst the tall towers in Toronto’s heart. Check it out if you’re looking for somewhere a bit different!
