Brrr… Do you feel that? The summer heat is slowly being replaced by a nice autumn breeze.
When Toronto gets colder, most people tend to go inside and won’t come out of hibernation until they see green grass again. But knowing how long Canadian winters can be, I’ve created a list of green spaces in Toronto where you can forget that it’s no longer summer (until you have to take the TTC home, of course). And so you don’t have to wait for the groundhog to call spring.
Allan Gardens
Visit Allan Gardens (160 Gerrard St. E.) — a Toronto staple for a reason!
Is it a free-to-enter space with a glorious amount of plants? Sign me up! Allan Gardens is known for its grand architecture filling the west side of Allan Gardens Park and a plethora of plants (cacti, orchids, palm plants and a koi fish pond).
So, next time you’re downtown in the fall or winter and looking for a place to warm up while walking through a jungle, enjoy your soon-to-be favourite green space in Toronto.
📸: Nagyman/Flickr.
Downsview Park Volunteer Greenhouse
Visit the Downsview Park Volunteer Greenhouse (70 Canuck Ave.) if you’re looking for volunteer opportunities based in green spaces.
It’s “a place to come together to grow and share native plants,” according to Downsview Park’s website.
Requirements to be a volunteer include:
- Being 16 years of age or older.
- Attending a virtual training session with staff.
- Completing online modules.
- Signing a Downsview Park volunteer agreement.
- Committing to a minimum of six volunteer shifts between March and June.
Not looking to volunteer? You can still visit the greenhouse during community workshops or community drop-in times. Check out its events page to find out when you can visit the space.
Evergreen Brick Works — Koerner Gardens
Looking to get out of the city without ever leaving it? Visit Koerner Gardens at Evergreen Brick Works (550 Bayview Ave.).
If you’ve walked the Lower Don Valley Trail or driven the Don Valley Parkway, you’ve likely seen the Evergreen Brick Works’ iconic brick buildings.
On its site, the gardens are described as, “One of the most popular public spaces at the Brick Works…a thriving green space open for the enjoyment of all visitors, and a hub for community events, recreational activities, public art projects and more.”
Sheraton Hotel — Queen Street entrance
Visit the Sheraton Hotel (123 Queen St. W.) through its main entrance on Queen Street, and you’ll find a giant display of outdoor scenery surrounded by silent, working booths, chairs, and couches for lounging or working.
This may be a controversial one because the hotel’s nature scene is open to the outdoors, so it’s not green year-round, but I think it’s perfect. You get to work and chat in a neutral environment with a drink from their indoor cafe, but not be affected by the hot or cold weather outside.
The Sheraton Hotel’s nature scene has a nice water feature and some trees; you may even be lucky and watch insects enjoying the plants.
Again, if you’re looking to touch or directly smell plants, this is not the place. But it’s a nice spot to take a break from the busy city and look at a nature scene behind windows.
Do you have another spot that you’re willing to share with the rest of the city? Send me an email at julia@thegreenline.to or a DM on social media.
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