Which parks in Toronto have good BBQs?
That’s what our senior editor, Yara El Murr, was asked recently.
And since we’re knee deep into barbecue season, it’s hard not to answer its call. For those of us who aren’t blessed with a backyard to grill, our next best bet is a local park.
Last year, I hosted a themed potluck/BBQ for my 26th birthday. Fittingly titled “Tontontopia,” after the afro-francophone term for uncles, tonton, that’s used no matter their relation to your family. I invited all of my friends to come in their best uncle drag. And made complete with a personalized site I designed myself with instructions, an RSVP section and a Pinterest board for inspiration, I finally brought to life the party that had been on the back burner for years.
So you can trust I’ve done my fair share of research into the matter, so here are a couple of tips for hosting the BBQ picnic of your dreams at Toronto’s many parks.
Permits and fees
If you’re throwing a low-key shindig with less than 25 invitees, then don’t worry about needing a permit or booking a picnic table. It does mean, however, you’ll need to arrive early enough to find a good place to set up and invite your guests. So definitely take the time to check out your local parks during the weekends to get a sense of how busy it gets and what spots of the park will work best for your BBQ needs.
If you have over 25 guests or are looking to book a picnic site with a public barbecue, you have to book it online. Don’t forget to tick the box for BBQ under amenities if you aren’t looking to bring your own. It should come down to $127.20 for the booking. Don’t forget to have your permit on hand, physically or digitally, after confirming and paying the fee.
📸: The Green Line.
Picking a park
Now choosing an actual park is a whole other thing, and I haven’t even visited a quarter of them (the city has over 1500 parks), but I’d say to go for the underrated ones for your BBQ. If your friends suggest High Park, Christie Pitts, or Trinity Bellwoods, prepare to fight for the perfect spot.
In the year of “Tontontopia,” I lived in Riverdale, so I hosted mine at Withrow Park. And it was the perfect choice. Our picnic area was shaded by two giant trees, with two tables to spread out our potluck, and thankfully, it was pretty sparse for early July. So, don’t stress yourself out by choosing a destination park; visit one nearest to you. How far is it? Does it have a cinematic view? Is it easy to get to by transit? Does it offer an ideally placed picnic table? Let that help guide you to the best BBQ spot.
Recommendations
But if you want some suggestions, here’s a quick list of parks I would consider hosting my next BBQ at:
- Withrow Park: There’s a reason why I picked Withrow Park over nearby parks, and it wasn’t just because it was a shorter walk from home. Though smaller than the beloved nearby Riverdale Park, it still had a wonderful charm to it. Not only does it have several picnic areas, littered around the park, but it also hosts a farmer’s market on Saturday mornings. After visiting it, I noticed that even at its busiest, there was still enough space to sit nearby or find an emptier space if looking to be alone with your thoughts. And if you want to bring your dog over, there’s also an off-leash area.
- Alexandra Park: Don’t let its size fool you; this downtown park is the perfect spot to enjoy the outdoors while being steps away from local transit and shops. Bring your own food to grill or raid Market 707 for some bites (I highly suggest any of Gushi’s rice bowls). I’m definitely biased, since The Green Line has partnered with Scadding Court Community Centre, and it makes for a convenient bathroom spot or wi-fi source, if need be.
- Thomson Memorial Park: Of all the parks listed, this one is without a doubt the most popular, but still not one you’ll hear listed as one to visit. Settled in Scarborough, this is home to several picnic sites you can book, as well as public grills if you don’t have your own. Thomson Memorial Park also hosts the Scarborough Museum, if you’re looking to get your history on while there.
- Earl Bales Park: The largest park listed, Earl Bales Park, is a North York park most notable as a skiing and snowboarding hotspot. But it’s worth a visit in the summer as well, with a pond, sensory garden and live concert series on Tuesday evenings set at its outdoor amphitheatre. It also boasts three different picnic spots with outdoor grills you can book, so there are plenty of options for those who don’t own a BBQ.
- Withrow Park: There’s a reason why I picked Withrow Park over nearby parks, and it wasn’t just because it was a shorter walk from home. Though smaller than the beloved nearby Riverdale Park, it still had a wonderful charm to it. Not only does it have several picnic areas, littered around the park, but it also hosts a farmer’s market on Saturday mornings. After visiting it, I noticed that even at its busiest, there was still enough space to sit nearby or find an emptier space if looking to be alone with your thoughts. And if you want to bring your dog over, there’s also an off-leash area.
- Alexandra Park: Don’t let its size fool you; this downtown park is the perfect spot to enjoy the outdoors while being steps away from local transit and shops. Bring your own food to grill or raid Market 707 for some bites (I highly suggest any of Gushi’s rice bowls). I’m definitely biased, since The Green Line has partnered with Scadding Court Community Centre, and it makes for a convenient bathroom spot or wi-fi source, if need be.
- Thomson Memorial Park: Of all the parks listed, this one is without a doubt the most popular, but still not one you’ll hear listed as one to visit. Settled in Scarborough, this is home to several picnic sites you can book, as well as public grills if you don’t have your own. Thomson Memorial Park also hosts the Scarborough Museum, if you’re looking to get your history on while there.
- Earl Bales Park: The largest park listed, Earl Bales Park, is a North York park most notable as a skiing and snowboarding hotspot. But it’s worth a visit in the summer as well, with a pond, sensory garden and live concert series on Tuesday evenings set at its outdoor amphitheatre. It also boasts three different picnic spots with outdoor grills you can book, so there are plenty of options for those who don’t own a BBQ.
Did you know that nine Toronto parks have outdoor ovens? So if you have a more ambitious plan, you can book an oven with at least seven days’ notice. Nine parks, including Alexandra Park, have these ovens.
As for fees, you just need to pay insurance which is dependent on the size of your event. For a group of under 25 people, it will be $31 and $61 for any group larger than that. Just make sure you have someone designated to look over the city’s training video on how to operate it.
Do you have any BBQ spots you want to recommend?
Email us at hello@thegreenline.to for all inquiries or send us a DM on Instagram at @tglhelps.
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