Our annual review of Annex greenspaces continues

Each year the Annex Gleaner reviews the many parks and parkettes in our coverage area using a variety of criteria. While there is no decisive “winner” of the grading, letter grades are assigned to convey the quality of the parks, considering aspects such as upkeep, design, and amenities. The reviews accompanying the grades also let the reader know what makes each space unique. This is the second instalment of reviews for 2024.

By Mia Keskinen 

Margaret Fairley Park

100 Brunswick Ave.
Grade: A (last year A-)
Time: 8:27 p.m. 
Margaret Fairley Park, located at Brunswick Avenue and Ulster Street, is an Elysium of child-like wonder. The park features several standout play structures, such as a rope climbing structure, a sandpit full of toys, a treehouse, a splash pad, and several park benches. There are also several benches for parents to watch their little ones run around to their hearts’ content. This park is often visited by residents in the surrounding neighbourhood, as it is generally quiet and not frequented as much by the general public.
Overheard: A couple discussing the importance of staying close to nature. 
Did you know: This park was named after Margaret Fairley who is best known for her work on the history of Canadian women and the history of Canada itself. Her research helped shed light on underrepresented aspects of Canadian history. 

Jean Sibelius Square

50 Kendal Ave.
Grade: A+ (last year A)
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Jean Sibelius Park, located near Bernard and Spadina provides a pleasant park-going experience. The cacophony of cars quickly dissolves into white noise when entering the historical neighbourhood surrounding the park. Given the variety of amenities, the park is suitable for all age groups. The park features a distinctive playground with a rock-climbing wall, a clean fountain, bike-sharing options, multiple park benches and picnic tables, and a large grassy area for pets and parents with little ones to enjoy. The park also boasts a vibrant mural on one of its walls, encouraging visitors to appreciate the beauty in life.
Overheard: “You’ll never catch me!!” A little girl yells, running from her older brother.  
Did you know: It is named after Jean Sibelius, a renowned Finnish composer known for his symphonies and other classical music.The site is home to the Annex Residents’ Association’s annual Cornfest, this year scheduled for Sept 15.

BLOOR BEDFORD PARKETTE

245 Bloor Street W. 
Grade: B (last year B-) 
Time: 7:31 p.m.
Located on Bloor, just west of Bedford, this greenspace is deeply entrenched within a cultural hub of Toronto, across the street from the Royal Conservatory of Music. This parkette is teeming with life; however, the park does lack the ability to lose yourself to nature, given its location near a busy intersection and its proximity to the University of Toronto. Construction is a constant within this area, so the view of the cityscape is often blocked by neon orange fences. 
Did you know: The area around Bloor Bedford Parkette is known for its historic homes and proximity to cultural landmarks, reflecting the diverse history and development of the Annex neighborhood.
Overheard: U of T students talking about their classes as they sit down and take a break.

Matt Cohen Park

393 Bloor St. West 
Grade: C- (Last year C-) 
Time: 7:41 p.m.
Located at Bloor and Spadina, Matt Cohen Park is a cornerstone of green beside bustling city streets. Unfortunately, given its location, the noise is very disruptive. This park serves as a stop for commuters more so than a true park space as it lacks the quiet nature that creates a sense of respite. The greenspace is a part of the University of Toronto campus, named after Matt Cohen, a writer, who deemed his house in Spadina the “centre of the universe.” This park pays tribute to magic created by the fiction writer, with large black statues inscribed with leaves in amongst trees swaying in the summer breeze. Amenities include several park benches in both full sun and shade. This park offers the necessities but lacks a pull that creates a relaxing atmosphere. 
Overheard: Police sirens and passersby on their commute. 
Did you know: Matt Cohen Park boasts six memorial plaques featuring his life story and various excerpts from his literary works. Cohen earned the Governor General’s Award for his novel Elizabeth and After and was also recognized for his celebrated children’s books, short stories, and poetry.

Sally Bird Park

194 Brunswick Ave.
Grade: C+ (last year C)
Time: 8:21 p.m. 
Sally Bird park is a hidden gem within the residential area of Brunswick Avenue and Powell Lane. Hidden between houses, this little alcove of nature is lined with trees and wildflowers. A mural of an astronaut gazing at space is illuminated by the setting sun in the middle of the park, enhancing the cozy feel of the greenspace. This park also features workout equipment for all to enjoy. Though this park is small in size and only features one bench for passersby to sit on, it is a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature.
Overheard: Several men listening to music, chatting about life with smiles on their faces. 
Did you know: The concept of outdoor workouts originated during the Great Depression, a time when there was concern that economic hardship might lead to a decline in physical fitness. In response, the idea of creating walking trails and outdoor workout equipment emerged in Canada. 

Euclid Avenue Parkette 

711 Euclid Ave. 
Grade: F (last year: D-)
Time: 8:21 p.m. 
Some things never change. If you are looking for a park to escape your worries, it is recommended to steer clear of Euclid Avenue Parkette, located near Christie Street and Bloor Street. As mentioned in last year’s park reviews, Euclid Avenue Parkette still bares more resemblance to a glorified strip of dirt than a park. For various reasons, including the view, noise pollution from cars, and the litter-lined streets, park goers will find that other parks on the list are more worth their time than this greenspace. The view is nothing to call home about, as the two park benches face a wall defaced by graffiti and the street covered in trash. The park’s only appeal is that it is sandwiched in an alleyway behind a cultural hub for Korean food and other restaurants on Bloor Street. The city appears to have given up on this greenspace.
Overheard: Two girls speaking in Korean, smiles lining their faces. 
Did you know: The Line 2 subway is directly underneath and the ground shakes as trains pass.

Healey Willan Park

504 Euclid Ave.
Grade: B+ (last review in 2020, grade: B)
Healey Willan Park is a quiet, well-maintained greenspace tucked away within Ulster and Euclid avenues. This park caters to the little ones, with swings, a play structure, and a sandbox filled with toys. This park provides a sense of peace given its location within a residential neighbourhood. The only noise that can be heard is birdsong and the laughter of children running around. 
Overheard: A couple holding hands, chatting and enjoying the sunset, liquid gold dancing across their faces.
Did you know: The park was named after Healey Willan, a notable figure in Canadian music, particularly known for his contributions to choral and organ music. The park is home to the Palmerston Area Residents’ Association annual Party in the Park.

READ MORE:

• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: A report card on our parks (Summer 2024)
• FOCUS: Grading our greenspace (Feb. 2024)
• FOCUS: Grading our Greenspace (Dec. 2023)
• FOCUS: Grading our greenspace (Fall 2023)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Third and final instalment (Oct. 2022)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Appraising Annex parks (Sept. 2022)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE (Aug. 2022)
• NEWS: New mural celebrates Indigenous storytelling (July 2022)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE (Fall 2021)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE (July 2021)
• LIFE: Bickford Park embraces yoga (June 2021)
• FOCUS: New park imbued with nostalgia (Apr. 2021)
• ON THE COVER: Renewing Martel’s vision (Nov. 2020)
• FOCUS: Park set for eco-restoration (Nov. 2020)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Grading the green (Aug. 2020)
• FORUM: Making it green (Aug. 2020)
• OBITUARY: Architect leaves indelibe marks (July 2020)
• CHATTER: Sally’s Fright finds a home in Yorkville (July 2020)
• FOCUS: Robert Street Field site of geothermal energy (Mar. 2020)
• CHATTER: Park gets a haircut (Nov. 2019)
• CHATTER: Park still ignored by city (Oct. 2019)
• NEWS: City fails to maintain park (Sept. 2019)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Park it here (August 2019)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Open spaces in the heart of the Annex (Summer 2019)
• NEWS: Huron-Washingon Parkette relocates while UTS expands (Spring 2019)
• NEWS: First meeting on new Mirvish Village park (Summer 2018)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: The best and worst of local parks(Summer 2018)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: More attention to green spaces means parks are improving (July 2018)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Parks on the fringe (AUGUST 2017)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Open spaces in the heart of the Annex (July 2017)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Survey reveals significant upgrades (June 2017)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Meet our parks supervisor (August 2016)
• Part two of our 2016 parks review (July 2016)
• NEWS: Renewing Margaret Fairley Park (JULY 2016)
• PART ONE: Green sanctuaries in the heart of the city (June 2016)
• Grading our Greenspace (2015)
• NEWS: Sibelius Park officially opens (June 2012)