1. Issues

Our community features some of Toronto’s best parks, which are both centre-points for our local residents and destinations for those visiting our neighbourhoods. But our challenge remains improving park facilities as they age while finding new and exciting ways to enhance our use of parks.

Working with local residents and organizations, I’ve championed the inclusion of community gardens within our parks as not only a way of growing fresh local food and building awareness of food security, but as a vital way to enrich our community

I also continue to work closely with local ‘Friends Of’ groups to animate our parks, and find creative ways to improve and better use our park facilities. Parks are such an important part of our lives, and investing in their upkeep and maintenance is essential for our community.

City Parks in Ward 14:

  • Aldwych Park
  • Ashbridges Bay Skateboard Park
  • Cosburn Park
  • Coxwell Ravine Park
  • Degrassi Street Park
  • Dieppe Park
  • Felstead Park
  • Four Oaks Gate Park
  • Gamble Playground
  • Greenwood Park - click here for updates on the dog off-leash area improvements
  • Hubbard Park
  • Jimmie Simpson Park
  • Joel Weeks Park
  • Jonathan Ashbridge Park
  • Kempton Howard Park – click here for updates on the 2020 revitalization
  • Leslie Grove Park
  • Livingstone Park
  • Logan Green Field
  • Matty Eckler Playground
  • McCleary Park
  • McCleary Playground
  • Monarch Park
  • Morse Street Playground
  • Phin Park
  • Riverdale Park East
  • Withrow Park

‘Friends Of’ Park Groups

Friends of Withrow Park

Friends of Withrow Park are a group of people who enjoy spending time at Withrow Park and who work to put together activities in the park and work towards park improvements.

Friends of Monarch Park

Friends of Monarch Park is a community based group that is interested in improving the green space, cultural and recreational activities of Monarch Park.

Friends of Phin Park
Friends of Greenwood Park

Friends of Dieppe Park

Friends of Dieppe Park is a volunteer group that works collaboratively to improve the green space, cultural and recreational activities of Dieppe Park in East York.

Community Gardens in Ward 14

Click here to earn more about the city’s community gardens.

City of Toronto to reopen parks washrooms

The City of Toronto will begin to open some of its approximately 200 parks washrooms this week across the city following the Province of Ontario’s amendments to an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

The reopening will occur in two phases. The first phase will have roughly 50 washroom sites opening by June 6, followed by the remaining locations by mid-June. A list of locations and health guidelines for washrooms are available on the City Services webpage.

City of Toronto reopening more than 850 park amenities this week

News Release

May 20, 2020

City of Toronto reopening more than 850 park amenities this week 

Today, Mayor John Tory announced the City of Toronto will open more than 850 park amenities this week, following the Province of Ontario’s amendments to an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The City of Toronto closed all parks amenities in March, based on public health advice and ahead of the provincial order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the city.

City of Toronto dog off-leash areas open today

News Release

May 19, 2020

City of Toronto dog off-leash areas open today

The City of Toronto has opened its more than 70 dog off-leash areas following the Province of Ontario’s amendments to an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act that permit the use of dog off-leash areas.

While visiting a park, people must continue to practise physical distancing. Signage is being installed at the off-leash areas to remind dog owners of the importance of physical distancing to help stop the spread of COVID-19 to protect the safety and well-being of all residents. People must always stay two metres (six feet), or the length of three dogs, apart while visiting the City’s parks and dog off-leash areas.

City of Toronto to begin opening community gardens and allotment gardens

May 4, 2020

On April 25, the Province of Ontario announced amendments to an Order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act that permit the use of allotment gardens and community gardens. To help increase the resiliency of and food security for Toronto’s residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Toronto will open its community and allotment gardens for the 2020 gardening season. The City will follow a phased approach in opening its 81 community gardens and 12 allotment gardens to ensure public safety while providing access to an essential source of fresh food.

Residents can experience virtual cherry blossom bloom during closure of High Park

News Release

April 29, 2020

Residents can experience virtual cherry blossom bloom during closure of High Park

Based on the recommendations of the Medical Officer of Health to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, the City is taking action to prevent crowding and gathering in High Park during the cherry blossom bloom.

With the peak bloom period about to begin, the City of Toronto is closing High Park starting tomorrow, Thursday, April 30. During the park closure, residents will be able to enjoy the cherry blossom bloom virtually.

City of Toronto continuing to receive troubling reports of gatherings in parks, dumping at clothing drop boxes

News Release

April 7, 2020

City of Toronto continuing to receive troubling reports of gatherings in parks, dumping at clothing drop boxes

Mayor John Tory, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa, and Fire Chief and Manager of the Office of Emergency Management Matthew Pegg, today, provided an update on the City’s continuing response to COVID-19.

City of Toronto closing playgrounds and other parks amenities to stop the spread of COVID-19

March 25, 2020

City of Toronto closing playgrounds and other parks amenities to stop the spread of COVID-19

Today, the City of Toronto announced that all City-owned playgrounds, sports fields, basketball and tennis courts, off-leash dog parks, skateboard and BMX parks, picnic areas, outdoor exercise equipment and other parks amenities, as well as parking lots attached to its parks system, will be closed effective immediately, in the City’s continuing efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Feedback Survey on Draft Recommendations for Existing Dogs Off-Leash Areas

With the number of people and dogs in Toronto growing, the use of dogs off-leash areas (OLAs) continues to increase. The Parks & Recreation Facilities Master Plan (2017) recommended the City develop criteria for improving existing dogs off-leash areas.

This survey is part of the City-Wide Study of Existing Dogs Off-Leash Areas. The goals of the study overall are to:

Morse Street Playground Opening!

I am very happy to announce the opening of the fantastic new and accessible Morse Street Playground on Saturday, August 18th, 2018.

The wading pool and splash pad are sporting tons of new fun features. All of the state of the art play equipment is looking forward to welcoming children and families back into the park.

A big "Thank You" to everyone who contributed your time, feedback and firsthand experience in the playground. Parks staff have done a wonderful job of incorporating many of your ideas and they have worked very hard in order to open it up earlier than anticipated.

Martin Goodman Trail Unwin Connection

The Martin Goodman Trail (MGT) is part of a larger network of over 300 km of trails within the City of TorontoThe Unwin Avenue section of the MGT will fill in a missing link to complete a 20 km trail along Toronto’s waterfront from the western to the eastern beaches.This connection was identified in the Baselands Trails Master Plan 2015 and as part of Toronto’s 2016 Ten Year Cycling Network Plan.

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City of Toronto
Email:
Phone: 416-392-4060
Address:
100 Queen St W, Suite C44
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2