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15 Hidden Gardens And Secret Courtyards Around Toronto

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Sunny summer days in Toronto find people crammed into its most popular parks, aggressively staking out blanket space and trying to disguise bottles of Mateus rose behind tea towels. A crowded, lively park has its charm—but if the slackliners, devilstick jugglers and disc-chasing dogs start to cramp your style, why not head for a quieter spot? Check out Curbed's list of some out-of-the-way green spaces; they're not all secret, but most of them are a little less frequented than favourites like Trinity Bellwoods or Kew Beach. Some are a bit of a field trip (like Mississauga's Brueckner Rhododendron Garden), and some are unexpected little downtown oases, so you can pack up your lunch and a book and get away from it all without being more than a brisk walk from your desk.

Got a favourite urban getaway spot? Share in the comments, if you're feeling magnanimous.


· Cool Map Thing [Curbed Toronto]
· Some Great and Hidden Toronto Spaces [Globe]
· Art and Parks Hidden Between Buildings [Jane's Walk]
· Top 10 Makeout Spots on UofT Campus [blogUT]

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Craigleigh Gardens PArk

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In the heart of South Rosedale, Craigleigh Gardens was originally the site of the estate of Edmund Boyd Osler, a 19th-century Toronto businessman. After Osler's death in 1924, the land was donated to the city for use as a public park. Enter off South Drive, through the old stone-and-iron gate.

Courtyard at Knox College, U of T

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Like a lot of spots on the UofT campus (Robarts not included), this sedate spot has a classic Ivy-League/Oxbridge feel to it. Flake out on the quad or in the shade of the gallery.

Berkeley Castle Courtyard

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In the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood, the Castle's pretty little courtyard is tucked in behind the Esplanade and is a calm spot to eat your lunch or just enjoy a sunbeam.

Courtyard, Canadian Opera Company

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The Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Centre has a secret: its lovely little ivy-walled courtyard, with benches and flower beds and gas lamps. So pretty and secluded, you'll want to stay until the fat lady sings.

Courtyard, St. George the Martyr

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A spot for quiet contemplation, possibly shared with a cat. Apparently it does double duty as a makeout spot.

Toronto Sculpture Garden

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The Sculpture Garden is found behind a wrought-iron fence on King Street just east of Church Street, beside the venerable French restaurant La Maquette. Only one large sculptural work is ever on display at a time; past works have included a life-sized flying saucer, a gigantic baby head, and a 20-foot-high stack of Honda Civics.

Diversity Garden, Toronto City Hall

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Tucked in behind City Hall, the Diversity Garden features large elevated planters and pots, lots of benches, and paths of wood chips to give your feet a break from pounding Queen Street.

Cloud Gardens

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Cloud Gardens sits on the block that runs east of Bay Street, between Temperance and Richmond. It's got several discrete themed areas, and terraces that are laid out over several storeys. A pretty cool place, and one that not a lot of people seem to use.

Evergreen Brick Works

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Nestled down in a ravine, the Brick Works is not only a combination interpretation centre/farmer's market/event space, it also has an amazing network of hiking paths that wind through the valley and along Mud Creek. Pause on the footbridge and check out the mammoth koi and turtles (mostly dumped there by inconsiderate former owners, but nice to look at anyway). There's a free shuttle bus that runs down to the site (and back!) from Broadview station.

Rosetta McClain Gardens

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Rosetta McClain Gardens is right at the edge of the Scarborough Bluffs, just west of Bluffer's Park. It's a patchwork of garden spaces and beds, a pergola and a folly. A bit of a stretch to get to, but worth the effort.

Ashbridge Estate

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The 1854 house and its grounds were donated by the Ashbridge family for use as a public park. The Estate is on Queen Street East, just across from the Connaught streetcar yard. There are some really old trees (willow, birch, locust, horse chestnut) and lots of flower beds to wander through, sniffing deeply.

Toronto Music Garden

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How many cities can boast a park designed by Yo-Yo Ma? The cellist designed The Music Garden (along with landscape designer Julie Messervy) as an interpretation of a Bach cello suite, and each section of the garden corresponds to a movement in the composition. Warning: listening to Lady Gaga while hanging out here may cause existential conflict.

Brueckner Rhododendron Garden

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Like rhodos? This is the place for you. Eighteen acres of rhododendrons, with walking trails.

Spadina House Museum

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This former private home in Forest Hill Village was converted to a museum in 1984. The Victorian-style gardens are divided into sections - a kitchen garden, a cutting garden, and formal flower beds. Free, as long as you don't go into the house.

Fort York Community Garden

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A great community gardening space with vegetables, herbs and flowers, including an historical kitchen garden.

Craigleigh Gardens PArk

In the heart of South Rosedale, Craigleigh Gardens was originally the site of the estate of Edmund Boyd Osler, a 19th-century Toronto businessman. After Osler's death in 1924, the land was donated to the city for use as a public park. Enter off South Drive, through the old stone-and-iron gate.

Courtyard at Knox College, U of T

Like a lot of spots on the UofT campus (Robarts not included), this sedate spot has a classic Ivy-League/Oxbridge feel to it. Flake out on the quad or in the shade of the gallery.

Berkeley Castle Courtyard

In the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood, the Castle's pretty little courtyard is tucked in behind the Esplanade and is a calm spot to eat your lunch or just enjoy a sunbeam.

Courtyard, Canadian Opera Company

The Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Centre has a secret: its lovely little ivy-walled courtyard, with benches and flower beds and gas lamps. So pretty and secluded, you'll want to stay until the fat lady sings.

Courtyard, St. George the Martyr

A spot for quiet contemplation, possibly shared with a cat. Apparently it does double duty as a makeout spot.

Toronto Sculpture Garden

The Sculpture Garden is found behind a wrought-iron fence on King Street just east of Church Street, beside the venerable French restaurant La Maquette. Only one large sculptural work is ever on display at a time; past works have included a life-sized flying saucer, a gigantic baby head, and a 20-foot-high stack of Honda Civics.

Diversity Garden, Toronto City Hall

Tucked in behind City Hall, the Diversity Garden features large elevated planters and pots, lots of benches, and paths of wood chips to give your feet a break from pounding Queen Street.

Cloud Gardens

Cloud Gardens sits on the block that runs east of Bay Street, between Temperance and Richmond. It's got several discrete themed areas, and terraces that are laid out over several storeys. A pretty cool place, and one that not a lot of people seem to use.

Evergreen Brick Works

Nestled down in a ravine, the Brick Works is not only a combination interpretation centre/farmer's market/event space, it also has an amazing network of hiking paths that wind through the valley and along Mud Creek. Pause on the footbridge and check out the mammoth koi and turtles (mostly dumped there by inconsiderate former owners, but nice to look at anyway). There's a free shuttle bus that runs down to the site (and back!) from Broadview station.

Rosetta McClain Gardens

Rosetta McClain Gardens is right at the edge of the Scarborough Bluffs, just west of Bluffer's Park. It's a patchwork of garden spaces and beds, a pergola and a folly. A bit of a stretch to get to, but worth the effort.

Ashbridge Estate

The 1854 house and its grounds were donated by the Ashbridge family for use as a public park. The Estate is on Queen Street East, just across from the Connaught streetcar yard. There are some really old trees (willow, birch, locust, horse chestnut) and lots of flower beds to wander through, sniffing deeply.

Toronto Music Garden

How many cities can boast a park designed by Yo-Yo Ma? The cellist designed The Music Garden (along with landscape designer Julie Messervy) as an interpretation of a Bach cello suite, and each section of the garden corresponds to a movement in the composition. Warning: listening to Lady Gaga while hanging out here may cause existential conflict.

Brueckner Rhododendron Garden

Like rhodos? This is the place for you. Eighteen acres of rhododendrons, with walking trails.

Spadina House Museum

This former private home in Forest Hill Village was converted to a museum in 1984. The Victorian-style gardens are divided into sections - a kitchen garden, a cutting garden, and formal flower beds. Free, as long as you don't go into the house.

Fort York Community Garden

A great community gardening space with vegetables, herbs and flowers, including an historical kitchen garden.