Everyone knows about High Park, Riverdale Park and the Music Garden. But hidden away out of sight, Toronto has some great little parkettes to kick back for a few minutes.
Margaret Fairley (north of College on Brunswick): Benches, playground, a wading pool and many trees — it’s the perfect atmosphere if you have some young ’uns and no air conditioning at home.
Glenn Gould Place (beside Roy Thomson Hall at Lang and John): Features large contemporary-looking waterfall, benches, public telephones. There’s also the Eternal Flame of Hope, which is apparently symbolic of aspirations and triumphant achievements — appropriate for Financial District stress cases seeking serenity.
Butterfield Park (north of Grange on McCaul at the south end of OCAD): Will Alsop’s glee-inducing OCAD architecture is innovative, but who knew the cement underneath it would provide such great shelter when there’s a downpour?
Grange Park (Beverley south of Dundas W., behind the AGO): Features flowers, benches, a wading pool and playground, and offers a breathtaking view of the back side of Frank Gehry’s AGO reno. Also, it’s beside the Music Gallery if you want to hear some experimental music.
Berczy Park (Front and Scott Streets): Features fountains (of both the decorative and drinking varieties), public art displays and telephones. The pigeon count makes it kind of uncomfortable as they begin to swarm, but the area is quiet.