Toronto Through My Lens
Finding a few dry moments from the incessant rain of late, I took a little spin last night to see some of the Christmas lights in Rosedale and on Bloor Street East.
The owners of this Rosedale home went to some *serious* effort to recreate The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, along with a miniature Whoville:
Allegedly, there are 138 lit Christmas trees along Bloor Street this Christmas; I never stopped to count…
This post is sort of a companion piece to my last post on Craigleigh Gardens. The quiet and scenic urban trail known as Milkman’s Lane is located off South Drive in Rosedale, next to Craigleigh Gardens.
Though short and steep, the trail connects with the Beltline Trail which leads to the nearby Evergreen Brick Works, Moore Park Ravine and the Lower Don trail system.
Seen on historic maps since at least 1890, the abandoned roadway is 130 years old. It’s been said the pathway was originally intended for mostly commercial transport including, presumably, deliveries of milk.
It’s now a beautiful dirt pathway bordered in by wooden fences and plunging hills on either side as you’re led further into the ravine system. It’s primarily frequented by cyclists, hikers and dog walkers.
The lush vegetation includes black cherry, hemlock, yellow birch, ironwood, the endangered butternut, oak and maple trees.
If you keep following the Park Road Reservation Trail west at the bottom of the ravine, you’ll be offered up pretty views of Yellow Creek as it flows by.
Reference: BlogTO
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
Now the puppies are nice and warm. Love this fountain.
Pretty sad but it’s time had come
What would be also nice is Ottawa's Remembrance Day Ceremony on November 11. Was there in 2024 and quite loved…
Well done Marv! I walk by this area so often and really take these for granted, but when you highlight…
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This is such a lovely part of the city. I love how they fixed up that square and the fountain…