Toronto has been surprisingly rainy this year, but that hasn't stopped us from setting out to explore as many of its parks as we can. Turns out there's a huge number of green spaces right in the heart of the sprawling metropolis, that somehow manage to feel miles away from it all. This time we set off to nearby Riverdale Park and Riverdale Farm.
The Riverdale neighbourhood was one of the places we'd originally looked at some apartments when we were first moving to the city, but we haven't really checked it out since we'd arrived. So, knowing there was a large park there that descended into the greenery of the Don Valley, we decided to check it out. It was only a short (subway replacement) bus ride away after all.
The Riverdale neighbourhood seemed nice - lots of the big old houses we've come to expect from Toronto neighbourhoods, perched up on the edge of the Don Valley, looking out over the Don Valley Parkway, the ravine itself, and downtown beyond. Not a bad view.
When we arrived at the park we were greeted by the bit tell-tale fences of construction, and it seems as though a large portion of the park is closed off this summer for improvements. Fortunately for us, plenty of the park was still wide open, and we descended down to the big, slightly damp, playing field and dawdled across it on our way to Riverdale Farm. Despite the threatening skies, people were out running laps on the running track, and making use of the playground/gym. We then crossed the Don Valley Parkway - an expressway that runs all the way down the ravine to downtown - to make our way to the farm.
Before heading straight up to the farm houses, we stumbled across some of the ponds on the property, tucked away amongst thick bushes and trees. It was a very serene spot, despite only being twenty metres (or less) from the parkway. Birds tweeting. Ducks chilaxing. This doesn't all happen by accident however; a city run stewardship programs looks after wilder places like this, keeping the city's precious green spaces alive.
We then climbed up out of the valley to visit the farm buildings, and animals. Apparently, what is now farm was once Toronto's first zoo, opening in 1894 and closing in 1974 when all of the animals were moved out to the new Toronto Zoo in Scarborough. Now though, the animals who call Riverdal Farm their home include goats, sheep, pigs, geese and chickens.
Our Sunday jaunt ended with a leisurely stroll back to our apartment via Cabbagetown and then Sandwich Box for lunch. Our Something Saturdays/Sundays have definitely taken a fairly relaxed turn of late, but we certainly aren't complaining, and are continually amazed by the greenness of TO.
This time last year we were checking out nearby Elora Gorge with Luke's parents and two years ago we touring Quidi Vidi Brewery.
