Craigleigh Gardens is a quiet 3.4 hectare park near Castle Frank Road and Bloor Street East. The park features an entrance with ornamental gates, a mature tree canopy and a dog off-leash area. The secluded gem of a park is tucked away in the middle of Rosedale, one of Canada’s wealthiest neighbourhoods and is surrounded by beautiful Victorian-style homes.
Craigleigh Gardens used to be the site of the 25-room estate of Sir Edmund Osler, a wealthy businessman, founder of the Royal Ontario Museum, and trustee at the Hospital For Sick Children. Osler lived at Craigleigh for nearly 50 years until he died. The house was torn down in 1924 following his death and his family donated the 13 acres of manicured grounds to the city to build the park.
The ornate gates have the date 1903 in the metalwork on either side of the centre, which means they stood in front of the Osler estate at one time.
These gardens are presented to the people of Toronto as a memorial of Edmund Boyd Osler, and Ann Farquharson, his wife, by their children . A.D. 1926. Here, amidst his children and grandchildren, his flowers, trees and birds, Edmund Boyd Osler made his home from 1877 to the date of his death in 1924 A.D.
from Plaque on gate
I happened upon this park a few years ago. A real surprise! I wonder how many more of these little gems are out there? With your daily/weekly walkabouts, we may find out.