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 first instalment of reviews for 2024.

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This collection of park reviews contains the first eight parks reviewed this year, with more gradings to come in future editions of the Annex Gleaner.

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READ MORE:  NEWS: Pits Riot: A teaching moment (Summer 2023) NEWS: Remembering the race riot (Summer 2023)

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The improving pandemic situation has led to some of the parks that were locked up last year to be set free again. Huron Washington Parkette and Margaret Fairley Park have been restored to their former glory. But, neglect and lack of resources have persisted in others like Sally Bird Park and Euclid Avenue Parkette.

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In this year’s installment of evaluating park spaces within the Gleaner’s catchment area, our observers noted the impressive revival of Queen’s Park North showing what a great city can do when it focuses its imagination and resources. The neglected Euclid Avenue Park, near Koreatown, shows what happens when these resources are withheld. Compiled by Mary An, Tanya Ielyseieva, and Nicole Stoffman.

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As the Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball 2020 season is cancelled, Marek Deska recounts historic no-hitter

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Shortened season possible if social restrictions lifted and parks reopen by July By R.S. Konjek  The ballpark is quiet. The grass is unkempt, drifting litter has collected around the backstop, and a tarp covering the pitcher’s mound has been flipped to one side by wind. No one is there to readjust it. The COVID-19 outbreak […]

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The best and the worst of our greenspaces In this final instalment of this year’s Gleaner’s park evaluation once again Christie Pits score an A+ for its design, maintenance, and the sheer volume of activities and facilities there. Paul Martel Mark on Madison Avenue just north of Bloor can fall no further on our scale. […]

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From Christie Pits to Robert Street Park In this year’s final series of park reviews, we discover the best and the worst of our local green spaces. The best, exemplified by Christie Pits, feature wide open spaces, fields and courts, playgrounds and swimming pools, all of which are well maintained. The worst can be summed […]

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Councillor Mike Layton’s (Ward 19, Trinity-Spadina) eighth annual kick off to Bike Month returns May 27 from 12 to 5 p.m. at Christie Pits Park. Bike with Mike is a free, family-friendly community cycling event open to anyone who wants to participate. It will feature a free barbecue and many children’s events like bike decorating, […]

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Some parks still suffer from litter and disrepair Grading our Greenspace returns this month in the first of a three-part series. For this popular feature, we assess many of the parks in and surrounding the Annex considering factors like functionality, safety, cleanliness, seating, and shade. As in past years, our grades are widely varied: after […]

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PHOTO BY R.S. KONJEK: Jon Waltenbury patrols the outfield at Christie Pits during the Toronto Maple Leafs’ game against the Brantford Red Sox on May 22. Waltenbury’s three-run homer put the Leafs ahead for good, and ensured an 8-6 victory. R. S. Konjek summarizes a month of Maple Leafs in his baseball column.

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