Here are my picks for the top hidden parks and courtyards in Toronto.
Ireland Park
Eerie but beautiful, this lakeside park finally reopened last summer after four years of being fenced off. Tucked at the foot of Bathurst, it's haunted by a collection of age-bitten sculptures that commemorate the 38,000 Irish famine victims who arrived here in the late 1800s, making it a spooky place to disappear for a few hours.
Craigleigh Gardens Park
Just north of Bayview and Bloor is Craigleigh Gardens Park, a gem that's often overlooked due to its proximity to Brick Works (it's only a kilometre away). A gothic-style entrance gives the park an air of secrecy, and once you're inside there aren't usually many people around, so the place feels all your own.
Toronto Sculpture Garden
Across the street from St. James Cathedral and wedged between La Marquette restaurant and Aveda Institute Toronto, this tiny park (seriously, it's only 25 by 30 metres) is a hidden outdoor showcase for some pretty fascinating artwork. The exhibit changes over time, so every time you stop in it's a totally different vibe.
Diversity Garden Park
There's an unexpected pocket of nature behind City Hall. Secluded in the middle of our concrete downtown core, the former parking lot is now a blooming community garden that symbolizes and promotes diversity. It's a quiet and convenient oasis to escape to, and it's never too crowded, save for the odd politician on their lunch break.
Slip past the Queen Street Market and just north of the historic building you'll find St. Patrick's Square, a small rectangular sitting area dotted with trees. It's a shady place to bring your afternoon reading session, and also steeped in Toronto history. Not all the row houses are original, but the few that remain speak to the city of old. It's a wonderful little escape in the heart of the city.
What did I miss? Add your suggestions in the comments.
by Amanda Storey via blogTO
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