James AllenRight in the heart of Toronto, you’ll find Riverdale Park, a park that spans the Lower Don River and sits between Cabbagetown to the west and Broadway Avenue to the east. It’s quite a spacious park, so city dwellers and visitors alike love coming here to have fun.
There are many fun things you can do in this park. You can play sports, such as soccer and baseball, on the massive field; skate on the skating rink; or say hi to the animals on a farm.
If you’re planning to visit, this article lays out everything you need to know, especially the best things to do here.
Things to Know
Address(es):
- Riverdale Park East—550 Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 2N6, Canada
- Riverdale Park West—375 Sumach St, Toronto, ON M4X 1B8, Canada
Operating Hours:
- Riverdale Park East and West—Open 24 hours (Monday to Sunday)
Contact Number(s):
- Riverdale Park East—+14163922489
- Riverdale Park West—+14163928188
History and Background
– From: julianontheroute
Before Riverdale Park was a public space, it was believed to be home to Indigenous tribes; in fact, several artifacts, including 7,000-year-old slate tools, were uncovered here. However, the land was then possessed by a settler named John Scaddings.
Eventually, the City of Toronto bought the land in order to build a jail and an industrial farm. It underwent several developments, and it eventually opened as a public park in 1880.
Since the Don River runs across the park, the park is actually divided into two parts: Riverdale Park East and Riverdale Park West. Each side has its own unique features, so you’ll have a different experience every time.
Here’s an overview of each side of Riverdale Park.
Riverdale Park East
– From: kpaviews
Riverdale Park East is arguably the most popular option primarily because it’s the biggest of the two. With an area of 18 hectares, this park has several exciting features.
To be more specific, this side has two ball diamonds, three multipurpose sports fields, a running track, seven tennis courts, an artificial outdoor ice rink and ball hockey pad, a picnic area, and a children’s playground. There’s even a pool on the northern side.
Aside from all these features, Riverdale Park East has a fascinating ecology. It has a slope that’s been developed into a mature maple-ash woodland, and it’s now home to native plants and animals.
Riverdale Park West
– From: tvnatasha
Located on the opposite bank of the Don River is Riverdale Park West, and it’s considerably smaller than its eastern counterpart. Despite its small size, however, this side boasts lush greenery and open tranquil spaces, making it a true urban oasis.
This park is particularly popular among pet owners because it has a play area for dogs. There’s also a baseball diamond here, as well as a working farm with animals and gardens.
How to Get There
Bus: Bus services 100A and 94 pass by both Riverdale Park East and West. If you’re visiting East, the nearest bus stop is River St at Gerrard St East, which is about seven minutes away on foot.
As for the West, the nearest bus stop is Jack Layton Way at Blue Rodeo Drive, which is two minutes away.
Streetcar: Riding a streetcar is another great way to reach either side of the park. For Riverdale Park East, ride Streetcar 504 and alight at Broadview Ave at Millbrook Cres (a two-minute walk from the park).
For Riverdale Park West, ride Streetcar 506 and alight at Gerrard St East at Sumach St (an eight-minute walk).
Car: If you’re thinking about driving, you need to find your own parking space because there’s none available in either park. Some of the nearest places with a parking lot are Bridgepoint Hospital and Dundas St E Garage.
Keep in mind that these parking lots have their own fees.
Best Time to Visit
– From: bhavin121
Both Riverdale Park East and West are open 24/7, so technically, you can visit anytime you want. That said, the ideal time to visit is during the daytime, especially on a sunny day; the park just looks vibrant during this particular time, which is lovely to see.
Try to aim for early morning or late afternoon. During early morning, there won’t be a lot of people, so you can get the peace and quiet you’re craving, and during late afternoon, you might be lucky to catch the sunset.
High noon, especially during the summer, might be too hot, and since there aren’t that many spaces with shade, it’s best if you avoid coming to this park at this particular time.
What to Do
Enjoy a picnic
– From: a.m.t._5
Since Riverdale Park (both East and West) boasts sprawling open fields, it’s not a surprise that going on a picnic is one of the most popular things to do here. Bring a picnic blanket and basket filled with your favourite snacks and relax in this park!
It’s even better if you’re with your friends and/or family. You can use this opportunity to spend some quality time with your loved ones.
Another way you can make this picnic experience memorable is by doing a fun activity with your companions. For example, you can bring some art supplies and draw or paint while eating snacks from your picnic basket
Watch the sunset
– From: cosmic._creatix
Many people like to come to this park, especially Riverdale Park East, in the late afternoon just to watch the sunset. The sunset here is absolutely gorgeous; it’s set against the Toronto skyline, thus making it look like the whole city is aglow!
To get the best view, be sure to climb up the slope and sit at a higher elevation. There’s even a spot called the Riverdale Sunset Vista because it’s where most people sit to watch the sunset.
Once you’ve found your place on the Riverdale Sunset Vista, the view of the sunset against the cityscape is much clearer. It’s such a breathtaking sight, so don’t forget to take a photo of it for remembrance.
Show off your skating skills at the Riverdale Park East Skating Rink
– From: angelabluhm
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +13102011
On the north side of Riverdale Park East, you’ll find an outdoor skating rink. And the best part about it is that it’s actually open year-round, so you can show off your ice skating skills whenever you want!
The reason it’s open all year long is because of the fact that the rink uses artificial ice. There’s even a ball hockey pad, so if you’re more a hockey player than an ice skater, you can join in the fun as well.
Just take note that you need to bring your equipment, especially skating shoes, here because there’s no kiosk that offers rentals.
Play sports and games
– From: bluedevilsac
As stated earlier, both sides of Riverdale Park have several sports features, so you might want to engage in your preferred sport.
Running and baseball are the most commonly played sports here, but you can also play frisbee, tennis, badminton, and soccer (complete with a makeshift goalpost). If you’re not sporty, you can play fun games instead, such as “Tag, You’re It” and hopscotch.
The great thing about this park is that there’s a lot of space for everyone, so you don’t have to worry too much about inconveniencing other people when playing your game or sport.
Go hiking
– From: foxie_jonze and applekellyrowan
Take advantage of the park’s large area and go on a hike. Better yet, bring your dog with you; they’ll definitely love roaming in the wide green expanse.
If you love nature, you might want to stick to the side of the park because that’s where the trees are and where you might be able to find some interesting flora and fauna. If you’re up for a challenge, you can try hiking up the slope.
Another route you can take is hiking from Riverdale Park East to West, then make your way to the nearby parks, such as Wellesley Park and Rosedale Ravine Lands.
Do yoga
– From: parkyogatoronto
If what you’re looking for is peace of mind, then doing yoga at Riverdale Park might pique your interest. Stretching on a green lawn with a view of the Toronto skyline actually does wonders for your mental well-being.
You can do yoga on your own, but if you want company, you can join a group. Several organizations regularly host yoga sessions, so be on the lookout for any announcements; one organization to look out for is Park Yoga Toronto.
Splash around in the swimming pool
– From: mld8710
Operating Months: Late June to Early September
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 to 8 pm
Is summer in Toronto too hot for you? Then beat the heat by swimming in the outdoor pool at Riverdale Park East.
The main pool is where adults and other young people who know how to swim can go; meanwhile, if you want your little one to be safe, there’s a shallow swimming area intended for them.
Aside from the main pool, this place has several other features. For example, there’s a curving water slide for more fun and spray fountains that children can play with.
Check out the animals in the Riverdale Farm
– From: peterthomsen61
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9 am to 5 pm
Admission Fee: Free
If you love animals, then you should check out the Riverdale Farm, which is located in Riverdale Park West. This farm is pretty spacious—with an area of 7.5 acres—so there’s a lot to see.
Say hi to the different livestock animals here; some that you can find include chickens, pigs, cows, sheep, and goats. There are also several gardens, each housing a wide variety of herbs, vegetables, and flowers.
Keep in mind that this is a working farm and not a petting zoo, so feeding any of the animals isn’t allowed. Pets, bicycles, in-line skates, ride-on toys, and vehicles are also prohibited from the property.
