A Park for the People

Citizens of mid-nineteenth century Toronto were using the avenue leading to the university grounds for recreation. Starved of park-space in the old town, the beautiful thoroughfare and the area around the university offered opportunities to enjoy a stroll or horseback ride, or watch the occasional parade or concert. Although College Avenue was a private right-of-way with gated access at Queen Street and Yonge Street, the gates would open in the morning and close again at night, allowing for public use of the land during the day. The area grew even more popular when the Caer Howell and Toronto Cricket Grounds opened nearby. Citizens were drawn to these sites by way of the avenue to enjoy such popular activities as lawn bowling, archery, curling, shooting, rackets and cricket. By the 1850s, Toronto city councillors were recognizing public interest for park space. This awareness led to the signing of an agreement between the city and the university to lease a portion of the original King’s College grounds, creating the first municipally-operated park in British North America.