Intro

1. High Park

The largest park in the city, at nearly 400 acres, High Park is full of oaks, cherry, and birch trees which produce beautiful colours in October. Walking or cycling along trails, you’ll encounter playgrounds, sports fields, green houses, a dog park, and a gorgeous waterfront. Grab coffee or a bite to eat from Palmer Coffee, La Diperie, of Hannah’s Cafe and Bakery on Bloor Street W and head down to Hillside Gardens to enjoy the view of Grenadier Pond.

2. Quarry Garden

Located in the Evergreen Brickworks, this garden has a lookout that includes views of reflective pools and the city skyline. In close proximity are the Evergreen Garden Market and Picnic Café, as well as walkways, trails, and the historic brick factory. A mesh of warm hues and  environmentally-conscious landscaping, this viewpoint is amazing for photography, picnics, or a crisp Autumn stroll.

3. Rouge Park

Meadows, forests, and wetlands, in red, orange, yellow, and green await you in this national urban park area. Guided walks, canoeing, kayaking, and cycling are great ways to immerse in the nature of this area just outside of Vaughn. Various historic buildings (cottages, a schoolhouse) and an old logging trail are also curious sights for exploration and wonder.

4. Etienne Brule Park

The Humber River and its shores make up this historically significant park. “Within this park you will find interpretive signage with information about the history of the area and its traditional uses. You will also find a ball diamond, a great hiking trail and lovely spots for a small picnic along the way” (City of Toronto). People say that in the Fall, freshwater salmon swimming upstream add to the vigour of warm-coloured foliage.

5. McMicheal Canadian Art Collection

One hundred acres of forested land surround this public gallery of Canadian art. Visit the museum’s permanent collection to glimpse works by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, and Indigenous contemporary artists, or walk the grounds and trails while listening to an audio guided tour with information on physical landmarks and the history of Canadian art. Sculptures and historic sites are given a new lifebreath by the Humber River valley wilderness during the turning of Fall.