Gleaner

Serving Toronto's most liveable community with the Annex Gleaner

GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: A report card on our parks – part 2 (Sept. 2024)

November 8th, 2024 · Comments Off on GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: A report card on our parks – part 2 (Sept. 2024)

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.

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · Life

FOCUS: Grading our greenspace (Fall 2023)

December 5th, 2023 · Comments Off on FOCUS: Grading our greenspace (Fall 2023)

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.

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · Life

GRADING OUR GREENSPACE (July 2021)

August 16th, 2021 · Comments Off on GRADING OUR GREENSPACE (July 2021)

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.

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · Life

ON THE COVER: Keeping an eye on our greenspace (Aug. 2020)

September 9th, 2020 · Comments Off on ON THE COVER: Keeping an eye on our greenspace (Aug. 2020)

ON THE COVER: Keeping an eye on our greenspace (Aug. 2020)

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · News

GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Grading the green (August 2020)

September 9th, 2020 · 1 Comment

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.

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · Life

GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Open spaces in the heart of the Annex (Summer 2019)

July 16th, 2019 · Comments Off on GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Open spaces in the heart of the Annex (Summer 2019)

Lots of places for ambling with a dog, playing sports, or watching the world go by This is our first set of park reviews for 2019. The Annex and its surroundings are blessed with a rich array of green space — much of it under the umbrella of city parks. We grade them here, every year […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · Life

GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: The best and worst of local parks (Summer 2018)

August 12th, 2018 · Comments Off on GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: The best and worst of local parks (Summer 2018)

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 […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · Columns · Life

GRADING OUR GREENSPACE (JUNE 2017): Survey reveals significant upgrades

June 30th, 2017 · Comments Off on GRADING OUR GREENSPACE (JUNE 2017): Survey reveals significant upgrades

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 […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · Life

Green sanctuaries in the heart of the city

June 15th, 2016 · Comments Off on Green sanctuaries in the heart of the city

Annual parks survey returns Upkeep, or lack thereof, marks the return of our popular Grading our Greenspace feature. Published in two parts, we visit parks in our coverage area and review them based on cleanliness, amenities, and atmosphere. Our round-up reflects a mixed bag: some parks continued to be great, while others seem to have […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · Life