Grange Park (Toronto)
| Grange Park | |
|---|---|
%2C_John_Street_entrance.jpg) John Street entrance to Grange Park | |
  Location of the park in Toronto | |
| Type | Public Park |
| Location | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Coordinates | 43°39′08″N 79°23′32″W / 43.652336°N 79.392142°WCoordinates: 43°39′08″N 79°23′32″W / 43.652336°N 79.392142°W |
| Area | 1.8 hectare[1] |
| Created | 1911 |
| Operated by | City of Toronto |
Grange Park is a prominent and well-used public park in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located south of the Art Gallery of Ontario, beside the Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCADU), and north of University Settlement House, at the north end of John Street. The Park lends its name to the Grange Park neighbourhood in the vicinity of the park. Historically, the park was the backyard of The Grange, a manor that eventually was expanded and became the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Features
After a major renovation completed by July 2017, the park includes the following features:
- Henry Moore sculpture Large Two Forms, originally located next to the Art Gallery of Ontario at the corner of Dundas and McCaul streets.[2]
- Weston family fountain.[2]
- Splash pad and surrounding seating.[2]
- Playground facilities geared to age with smaller, softer structures for younger children and taller structures for older children.[2]
- Fourteen inscribed granite paving stones on the path leading north from John and Stephanie Streets each inscribed with a quotation from a prominent person.[3]
- A carriage path leading from John Street and circling the park.[2]
- An off-leash area for dogs.[4]
- Public washrooms.[4]
There are a few prominently visible buildings along the borders of the park that act as a backdrop. These include:[5]
- Art Gallery of Ontario - on the north side of the park
- The Grange - on the north side of the park
- Sharp Centre for Design, OCAD University - on the east side of the park
- Ruins of St George the Martyr Church - at the John Street entrance to the park
History
Grange Park was originally the front lawn of the Grange, a manor house built in 1820 by the Boulton family, an influential family in 19th century Toronto. In 1910, Harriet Boulton (also known as Mrs. Goldwin Smith) bequeathed her estate to the Art Museum of Toronto with the large front lawn to become a park in perpetuity. An agreement between the City of Toronto and the Art Museum of Toronto was made on January 20, 1911 creating Grange Park. The Art Museum of Toronto later became the Art Gallery of Ontario which still owns Grange Park, but with Toronto Parks and Recreation operating it.[6][1]
In the mid-1970s, Grange Park was expanded to its present-day size by closing portions of two streets: Grange Road from Beverley Street to John Street, and John Street between Grange Road to Stephanie Street.[6]
In 2008, the Grange Park Advisory Committee (GPAC) was formed to join local residents, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the City of Toronto, and neighbouring organizations to start the Grange Park Revitalization Project with the goal of renovating Grange Park and restoring it to its natural beauty. By 2009, GPAC produced a design brief.[7] GPAC is a 15-person Committee whose role is to advise on the restoration and revitalization of Grange Park and on an oversight structure for the ongoing maintenance and program for Grange Park.[8] By that time, Grange Park had deteriorated because of restrictions in City funding resulting in uneven pathways, dilapidated benches and playground equipment, many areas of bare ground and poorly maintained trees.[9]
On July 10, 2017, after a cost of $15 million and 15 months of construction, a renovated Grange Park officially reopened with many improvements such as expansion of the children's play area, 80 news trees, expanded lawn area, an off-leash dog area, new public washrooms, new water features and new seating areas. As part of the renovation, the Henry Moore sculpture Large Two Formspark was moved from the corner of Dundas and McCaul streets to become the centrepiece of the park.[4] The park was designed by PFS Studio with Thinc Design as executive architects.[2] The AGO, the City of Toronto, the Weston Family, and various community groups jointly fininanced the renovation. There is also an endowment fund to support the park's long-term maintenance.[2]
The principal groups associated with the 2017 renovation project were:[3]
- City of Toronto
- The W. Garfield Weston Foundation
- Art Gallery of Ontario
- Grange Park Advisory Committee
In February 2017, the Grange Community Association requested that the portion of John Street from Queen street West to Stephanie Street be given the ceremonial name of "Harriet Boulton Smith Way" in honour of the person who bequeathed the Grange estate to become Grange Park and the Art Gallery of Ontario. That portion of John Street was once part of the Grange estate.[10]
References
- 1 2 "Grange Park". City of Toronto. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Novakovic, Stefan (July 10, 2017). "New Grange Park Continues Toronto's Public Realm Renaissance". Urban Toronto. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
- 1 2 "Newly Revitalized Grange Park Opens Today". Benzinga. July 10, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
- 1 2 3 "Grange Park reopening enlivens storied AGO green space". CBC News. July 8, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- ↑ "Grange Park, Toronto, ON, Canada". Google Maps. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
- 1 2 "History". Grange Park Advisory Committee. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
- ↑ "Revitalization Project". Grange Park Advisory Committee. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- ↑ "Advisory Committee (GPAC)". Grange Park Advisory Committee. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- ↑ "Design Brief". Grange Park Advisory Committee. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- ↑ "Assigning the Ceremonial Name "Harriet Boulton Smith Way" to Part of John Street" (PDF). City of Toronto. February 28, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2017.