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Wealthy philanthropists, a booming economic base, and a population growth spurt might sound like a description of modern day Toronto. But this story has been told more than once over our city's history and one need look no further than Toronto's Grange Park neighbourhood. Originally built in the early 1800s, the exclusive neighbourhood was home to some of Toronto's most prominent figures including George Brown, and William Baldwin. Most prominent of all homes was the Grange Estate, constructed in 1817 by lawyer and merchant D'Arcy Boulton, with its vast lawn and iconic Georgian red brick home. Over the following century the Grange neighbourhood would change from an elitist enclave to a working class neighbourhood. As the wealthy moved out to Toronto's suburbs of Parkdale and Rosedale, several of the old mansions and estates made way for smaller residences inhabited by a growing working class.
In the 1910 last will and testament of the late Harriet Boulton Smith, the Grange mansion and fronting estate were donated to the public for the creation of an art museum, now the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the establishment of a new public park, now Grange Park. Elements of the original Grange Estate are still evident in the park in including the former elliptical carriage route turned pedestrian path, and the large front lawn. Over forty years since its 1970s expansion and enhancement, the park has slowly succumbed to heavy public use and the deterioration it brings.
A century after the park's establishment however, a similar narrative is being told again. In early 2014, Loblaw Companies Ltd. grocery store magnate W. Galen Weston donated a sum of money to revitalization of Grange Park in partnership with the Grange Park Advisory Committtee. A long time supporter of the AGO, Weston's legacy will now include a beautiful rejuvenated park for the burgeoning local neighbourhood to enjoy.
Designed by the Vancouver-based award-winning PFS Studio, the park renovations are set to be completed in late 2015. Once open the park will serve the needs of a changing local community (including the ever-growing OCAD U student body) while respecting and enhancing its surrounding uses. Of particular note is a new south-side access to the AGO located at the northwestern portion of the park as seen in the rendering below.
Water will be play a major role of the new park design. From the off-leash dog area specific fountains, to a reconfigured wading pool on the park's eastern edge and the new water cascade along the elliptical walkway, visitors and users will have no shortage of aquatic features to enjoy.
The worn out playground will be replaced with a modern multifunctional play structure, complete with slide, climbing equipment and all, for kids to enjoy. Not to be forgotten in the mix, adults will be encouraged to get active and have fun too with new outdoor exercise equipment included in the park.
When the night falls and playtime is finished, Grange Park will keep its intrigue and charm through an extensive lighting program. The mix of in-ground, pole, tree and bollard lighting will help keep the park safe while producing what should be one of Toronto's most dynamic luminary experiences.
As the details are finalized and construction gets underway, UrbanToronto will bring you the latest news on the ever-interesting saga of Grange Park. Be sure to click our dataBase listing below for a complete package of larger renderings and design details. Got and opinion or just want to join the discussion about the new Grange Park? Leave a comment in the space below or join in on the discussion in the associated Forum thread.
