With summer just around the corner, Torontonians are getting set to head outdoors to make the most of the warmer weather. Luckily, the city is full of verdant parks, lush greenspaces and picturesque ravines to visit (and share on Insta Stories).
While central spots like Trinity Bellwoods, High Park and the Islands are popular destinations, Toronto has so many other beautiful parks to wander through, have a picnic or explore with a camera in hand. Here’s a look at 10 of my favourite photo-worthy spots to escape to — all within a half hour drive from downtown!
Did I miss any of your favourite parks in Toronto? Let me know in the comments below!
1. Riverdale Park East
View of downtown Toronto from Riverdale Park East
© James Bombales
Riverdale Park East is a four-season destination with its sloping hill for winter tobogganing, expansive views of the Don Valley's vibrant fall foliage and open greenspace for spring and summer picnics.
© James Bombales
At the bottom of the hill are two ball diamonds, a multipurpose sports field, running track and an outdoor workout area, while the north end houses tennis courts, an outdoor ice rink and a ball hockey pad. Ofcourse, my favourite part of this park are the epic sunsets and sweeping views of the Toronto skyline.
2. Glen Stewart Ravine
Glen Stewart Ravine
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Glen Stewart Ravine is a hidden forest oasis in the middle of the Beaches neighbourhood. Fed by ground water from Ames Creek, the ravine is dominated by towering red oak and red maple trees that surround an elevated boardwalk, staircases and dirt trails lined with wooden fencing.
Glen Stewart Ravine
© James Bombales
The site is designated as an Environmentally Significant Area through the City’s Official Plan and has undergone several infrastructure improvements including the reconstruction of two pedestrian bridges, trail resurfacing and the replacement of several retaining walls. Within the ravine are two steep staircases (one from Kingston Road and one from Balsam Avenue) that will make you feel you’re strolling amongst the treetops.
3. R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant
R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant
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Although this isn’t necessarily a public park, the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant and surrounding waterfront lands is one of my favourite places to escape to on a weekend. The beautiful art-deco buildings are clad in yellow brick with arch windows and feature marble entryways and long corridors filled with pools of water, pumps and filtration systems.
R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant interior
© James Bombales
The impressive architecture combined with the pristine fields of grass and the sounds of the waves from Lake Ontario make it the picture-perfect backdrop, whether you’re taking a leisurely stroll, doing a photo shoot or sitting on the hillside watching the world go by.
R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant
© James Bombales
If you want to spend a little more time in the area, there’s a path on the southwest corner that leads to Silver Birch Beach. From there it connects to the Waterfront Trail and boardwalk at Balmy Beach.
4. Humber Bay Park
Humber Bay Park
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Toronto’s Humber Bay Shores is a busy residential district with a number of shiny new condominiums built over the past decade. The cluster of modern high-rises that now line Lakeshore Boulevard West and Marine Parade Drive have created a distinct waterfront skyline that can be seen from many areas of Toronto. Thankfully, even with all these new developments, Humber Bay Park remains a tranquil getaway among the towering skyscrapers.
Downtown Toronto skyline from Humber Bay Park West
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The park is divided into Humber Bay Park East and West with both offering a variety of amenities including ample parking, meandering trails and rocky shorelines to enjoy the views of downtown Toronto.
Humber Bay Park shoreline
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Humber Bay Park West also has a dog park and boat launch, while the eastern park is home to the Air India 182 Memorial.
5. Edwards Gardens and Toronto Botanical Garden
Toronto Botanical Garden
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Edwards Gardens and the adjacent Toronto Botanical Garden is a great place to spend an afternoon. The former estate garden is now a public park featuring blooming flowers, charming footbridges, streams, fountains and mini waterfalls. Amongst the wildflowers, tulips and rhododendrons are some spectacular trees including Willows, Cherry Blossoms and a famous dawn redwood.
Edwards Gardens
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The Toronto Botanical Garden features four acres of award-winning themed gardens. At the centre is a LEED Silver Certified Building used for events and houses learning spaces, a garden shop and a seasonal café.
6. Colonel Samuel Smith Park
Colonel Samuel Smith Park
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Located behind Humber College’s Lakeshore Campus in Etobicoke, Colonel Samuel Smith Park features an off-leash dog park, an ice skating trail in the winter, nature trails and rocky shoreline lookouts.
Colonel Samuel Smith Park
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One of the trails from the parking lot leads to the North Creek Wetland Lookout where an observation deck provides views of a natural pond where you can often see frogs, turtles, birds and beavers. The park is home to a variety of plants and wildlife and is a popular spot for bird watching and photography.
Sunrise at Colonel Samuel Smith Park
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My favourite part are the meandering paths that hug the lake shore which are lined with giant rocks. It’s a perfect place to sit and relax while enjoying views of Lake Ontario. And if you can get there early enough it’s a great spot to catch the sunrise over the Toronto skyline.
7. Bluffer's Park
Bluffer's Park
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Stretching 15 kilometres along the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto’s east end, the Scarborough Bluffs are one of the city’s most interesting landscapes and significant geological feature. Formed by wind and water erosion from the lake, the Bluffs consist of sedimentary rock cliffs that rise up to 90 metres above the waterfront.
Bluffer's Park
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While there are a number of parks, trails and gardens along the top of the Bluffs, one of the best spots to see the cliffs is from Bluffer’s Park at the bottom of Brimley Road South. In addition to a yacht and sailing club, the park offers a series of trails to explore. From the main parking lot, head west towards Bluffer's Park Lookout where an adjacent beach provides stunning views of the cliffs.
Bluffer's Park
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The sheer drops of the rock faces are alone, a sight to see, but add in the shimmering aquamarine waters of Lake Ontario, the surrounding greenery and sandy beach and you’ll be feeling like you’re in the middle of a provincial park.
8. Guild Park and Gardens
Guild Park and Gardens
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Guild Park and Gardens is one of the 11 parks found along the Scarborough Bluffs and is only 10 minutes east of Bluffer's Park. But while the Bluffs are known for their natural beauty, Guild Park and Gardens is known for the man-made structures found within the property. Sprinkled among the beautiful gardens are historical sculptures made up of parts from old buildings that were torn down in downtown Toronto.
Guild Park and Gardens
© James Bombales
The centrepiece landmark Greek Theatre, for example, consists of pieces from the original Bank of Toronto building that was built in 1914 on the corner of Bay Street and King Street. The structure’s towering marble columns juxtaposed with the surrounding greenery provide a unique backdrop for portraits and wedding photographers. Other notable pieces include panels from the old Bank of Montreal building, carvings from the main entrance of the Bank of Nova Scotia building on King West and pieces of the Art Deco façade from the old Toronto Star building that was demolished in 1972.
9. Centennial Park
Downtown Toronto from Centennial Park
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Located in the northwest corner of Etobicoke, near the Mississauga border, Toronto’s 525-acre Centennial Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the city. It’s home to the Etobicoke Olympium, Centennial Arena, Centennial Park Conservatory, Centennial Park Stadium and a BMX bike park, in addition to several sports fields and baseball diamonds.
Downtown Toronto from Centennial Park
© James Bombales
At the centre of the park is a ski hill that was once a municipal landfill — yup, what was once a mound of garbage is now used as a ski and snowboard slope! In the summer, follow the trail to the top and you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views from midtown and downtown Toronto all the way to Mississauga City Centre.
10. Humber Arboretum
Humber Arboretum
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The Humber Arboretum is the farthest park from downtown Toronto on this list, but it’s well worth the trek. This gem of a greenspace is situated beside the Humber College North campus where there’s free parking on weekends.
Humber Arboretum
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The park is well-maintained and features manicured gardens, charming wood bridges, pergolas and natural ponds with plenty of wildlife. Several trails branch off from the main garden area and lead into a forested area, meadows and the Humber River.
Humber Arboretum
© James Bombales
Within the garden is the Centre for Urban Ecology, a two-storey glass building where many of the Arboretum’s educational programs and special events take place.
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