Riverdale Park

Riverdale Park traces back to city land acquisitions in the late 19th century, established as one of Toronto's earlier large public parks along the Don Valley, at a time when the city was first beginning to set aside significant green space in the valley rather than leaving it entirely to industry and infrastructure. The park originally included the zoo grounds that later became Riverdale Farm, before the city's zoo animals were relocated to the newly built Toronto Zoo in the 1970s.

Split by a highway

Construction of the Don Valley Parkway through the mid-20th century cut directly through the park, physically dividing it into Riverdale Park East and Riverdale Park West, connected today by pedestrian bridges spanning the highway and the Don River. Despite the highway running through it, the park remains one of the largest green spaces in Toronto's east end, known especially for its steep hillside, a popular tobogganing spot in winter, and for sweeping views of the downtown skyline from its western slope.

Sources

• City of Toronto — Riverdale Park
• Wikipedia — Riverdale Park (Toronto)

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