Grange Park

A beautiful and relaxing place to hang out just steps from Queen St. Great view of OCAD in the sky and the addition on the back of the AGO. There is always something going on in this park whether it’s hackey sack or kids on swings next to the OCAD outdoor space with a live death metal concert happening or a lineup for free hotdogs on Canada Day. Skateboarders use the kiddie pool for practice in the off season and I’ve seen a couple young kids selling lemonade doing a brisk business along the walkway as these are major routes for bicyclists and pedestrians taking a break from the concrete jungle to the south. Scattered like the fall leaves, lovers and homeless people litter the benches as a forlorn farmers market eeks out a languid business largely ignored by people strolling by dressed in suits talking on their phones. A cornucopia of city life close to the vibrant entertainment and shopping area nearby makes this park A-​OK with me!

I walk through this tiny park every day to and from work — it’s a really nice little plot of grass right in the middle of the downtown area. There’s a park and also a water park — it seems to be popular with the a lot of kids but personally I would never dip into the water park.
There’s a farmers market here too every Thursday or something like that — a lot of local growers set up small tents here and sell cheese and breads. It’s always a fun thing to check out.
It does get a little sketch, but I honestly think the homeless are more sketch looking than actually dangerous. Seems to be a popular hangout for the older, asian grandparent crowd too — saw a bunch of them passing around a diabetic blood glucose level the other day and comparing scores (sugar levels?).
Wouldn’t wander into here at night but it’s one of my favorite parts of walking home.

Grange Park used to be my «short cut» to Scotiabank Theatre backed when I lived close to UofT and it’s always a joy to walk across, a nice haven right behind the old AGO building that is a dog lovers delight to walk by especially on a sunny day out.
Dogs, people practicing tai chi, playing frisbee, lounging or passed out on the benches (depending on your time of visit) are all common sights here and lots of kids in the playground area, so pretty much your typical park on a small scale. But the Grange does have the unique distinction of having a staircase that seems to hang over it thanks to the AGO.
Yes it’s a little sketchy to walk in after night falls especially the «neck» on the south end if there are homeless or shifty eyed persons occupying benches on both sides, but I have yet to run in to any problems and I walk through it quite often at night after a movie by myself.
They do have a labyrinth painted sort at the merging of the paths and I have given up trying to find a pleasing way of navigating through it.

Grange Park — dog lovers heaven!
While I can’t say I do a lot of sitting around Grange Park in the winter, in the summer you can find me there sitting on a park bench, drinking Starbucks passion ice tea, and watching the dogs (longing that I had my own!)
The park has quite a few benches, so I can always find a free one. Even if dogs aren’t your thing, there are also regularly tightrope walkers (I’ve seen them a handful of times!), and generally great scenery to look at, including the back of the AGO which owns the park. There is also a small playground.
While I don’t feel like I want to spend a lot of time there at night, alone — I will walk through it without hesitation — I’ve never felt threatened or in danger while I’m there. As I said, I wouldn’t want to hang out in a dark corner of the park, but I feel that way about all parks at night — this one is not any sketchier!

Listen. Grange Park isn’t the pocket of debauchery people think it is. Sure, it gets dark at night but it’s sandwiched between two major streets (Queen and Dundas) and 52 Division is just a stone’s throw away. I’m in this park a lot, and I’ve never seen anything that horrible going on here. In fact, there are times when *I* am sketchiest person there. By far. (Please, no follow up questions.)
Grange Park used to be part of the Grange Estate. It was the front yard of the Boulton family — big spenders back in the day. They bequeathed it to the AGO (technically the gallery owns the park), who also manage the old house. It’s a fantastic location for such greenery and quiet: smack dab in the centre of the Art Gallery of Ontario, OCAD University, and the bustle of Queen street west.
There is lots of shade to be found under the many trees, quite a few benches, and a children’s play area. In the morning you will find local senior citizens practicing tai chi and during lunch hours it’s a popular spot to enjoy a midday meal or stroll. We owe the Boultons some thanks for this wonderful oasis.
Obligatory Title Pun: Home, home on the GRANGE.
Menu Readability: It’s a park silly!
Need to mention: They have a labyrinth painted on the ground. I freaking love those things.
What this place teaches me about myself: I’m a total sketchbag, esp. after dark.

This is a beautiful park in the center of downtown. One of my favourite views in the city is looking North on John street, where you can see The Grange (Toronto’s oldest home), with the striking blue Gehry AGO behind it. It is simply spectacular — and has become a hotspot for tourists to snap some photos.
This park also has a lively dog park scene, particularly between 5:30−7pm. It’s not fully fenced, but there are many barriers to the roads on either side, with trees for shade as well as a wide open space for playing fetch.
Seems the splash pad isn’t open this year… probably another cut thanks to Mr. Ford.
This park does have its fair share of homeless and drug users, but for the most part its a lovely place to be when the sun is shining.

Love this park. Bordered by a Rec Ctr with swimming lessons for tots and under the shadow of the CN Tower, OCAD and AGO — this is a great place to eat lunch, hang and read on the grass. .. but I come here to bring my 3 yo son to the playground. In the summer there’s the splash park, but they are not as meticulous about draining, testing and keeping the water clean here — the staff at Kew Gardens and Trinity Bellwoods seems a lot more conscientious about that.
Harmless homeless contingent loiters around on the benches, and increases at nightfall.
There’s a labyrinth painted on the ground. Good spot for a little labyrinthine ritual under the aegis of a full moon and the CN Tower.

When I had the mixed blessing of subletting for a summer in Baldwin Village, this park felt like a blessed escape from the hot concrete, the crowds of people in Chinatown and the dearth of trees downtown. So I’m not hating on this park at all. It’s needed for the location.
The park isn’t too terribly big, but is nice if you want to sit down on a sunny day and read a book. While I have sat down on the grass under a tree in the park before with no ill effect, I’d have to recommend bringing something to sit on, because this park is also a rare respite for local dog owners, too. If you catch my drift.
This, like the majority of the parks in town, is one place you really don’t want to be after dark, and sometimes this rule stretches to the middle of the day, too. There isn’t some shady dealings going on all the time, but it’s not unheard of to be approached by people you’d rather not mingle with. So go with friends. Bring a blanket to sit on. And watch out for the somewhat aggressive pigeons.

The more I think about parks in Toronto, I’m convinced I’ve been wearing blinders. I’ve opened my eyes now, have sat down to rest a little more, and… colour me impressed. Despite being known a concrete landscape, we have quite a few cool parks, each one of ‘em reeking of a certain character, no matter how small.
Grange Park is my favourite of all. Walking through here on an early summer morning is one of the most meditative moments I’ve experienced in the city, not to mention a slice of culture, with the group tai chi and fan-​dancing activities that take over the north-​east side of the park.
I particularly love the laneway connecting John Street to the park, with its staggered benches, lamp posts, and clear view of OCAD’s quirky architecture and AGO’s striking blue backside. Picture perfect and yet completely crazy and urban at the same time.