Runnymede Park
Encyclopedia
Runnymede Park is a medium-sized public park located in The Junction
neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
, one block east of Runnymede Road. Its southern boundary is the West Toronto Yard
used by the Canadian Pacific Railway
, its northern boundary is Ryding Avenue, while a laneway and parking lot make up the western and eastern boundaries respectively. It is relatively flat, and features many soaring mature oak tree
s.
authorized the construction of the George Bell Arena at Runnymede Park and its designation as a community centre under the Community Centres Act. Like many other landmarks in the neighbourhood, the park takes it name from the estate of John Scarlett
an early land owner in the area.
Runnymede Park was one of the few parks to have a railway siding running through it into the 2000s, not separated from the public area in any way. The siding was operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway serving local industries, though towards its end it only moved tank cars to the Bunge
edible oils plant on the northwest corner of St. Clair Avenue West
and Keele Street
. It was finally put out of service when the plant closed in 2008, and the tracks through the park were removed in late October 2009.
court and two playgrounds. It is the home of George Bell Arena, which features an ice rink used extensively by local hockey leagues.
The Maltese
community of Toronto hosts an annual one day festival in this park.
The Junction
The Junction is a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that is near the junction of four railway lines in the area known as the West Toronto Diamond. The neighbourhood was previously an independent city called West Toronto, that was also its own federal electoral district until amalgamating...
neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, one block east of Runnymede Road. Its southern boundary is the West Toronto Yard
CPR West Toronto Yard
West Toronto Yard is a small marshalling yard for Canadian Pacific Railway on the Galt Subdivision in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The yard was built in 1882 to relieve stress at the Parkdale Yard and is located near Keele Street and Dundas Street West in The Junction...
used by the Canadian Pacific Railway
Canadian Pacific Railway
The Canadian Pacific Railway , formerly also known as CP Rail between 1968 and 1996, is a historic Canadian Class I railway founded in 1881 and now operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, which began operations as legal owner in a corporate restructuring in 2001...
, its northern boundary is Ryding Avenue, while a laneway and parking lot make up the western and eastern boundaries respectively. It is relatively flat, and features many soaring mature oak tree
Oak Tree
Oak Tree may refer to:*Oak, the tree*Oak Tree, County Durham, a village in County Durham, England*The Oaktree Foundation, a youth-run aid and development agency*Oak Tree National, golf club in Edmond, Oklahoma...
s.
History
Runnymede Park was initially a block of land laid out on a plan created by Hannah M. Clarke in 1883. According to a City Solicitor's report, submitted to City of Toronto Council in 1923, the land was always treated by the Town of Toronto Junction as a public park and, from 1893 to 1909, was assessed by the Town of Toronto Junction as part of park property. It was subsequently recommended in 1923 that the City of Toronto exercise its rights as official title holder. In 1961, Toronto City CouncilToronto City Council
The Toronto City Council is the governing body of the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Members represent wards throughout the city, and are known as councillors....
authorized the construction of the George Bell Arena at Runnymede Park and its designation as a community centre under the Community Centres Act. Like many other landmarks in the neighbourhood, the park takes it name from the estate of John Scarlett
John Scarlett (Toronto)
John Scarlett was an merchant-miller who played a significant role in the development of the part of the historic York Township that later became the Junction neighbourhood of Toronto.- Early Life :...
an early land owner in the area.
Runnymede Park was one of the few parks to have a railway siding running through it into the 2000s, not separated from the public area in any way. The siding was operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway serving local industries, though towards its end it only moved tank cars to the Bunge
Bunge Limited
Bunge Limited is a Bermudan food conglomerate with its headquarters in White Plains, New York. As well as being a leading global soybean exporter it is also involved in food processing, grain trading, and fertilizer...
edible oils plant on the northwest corner of St. Clair Avenue West
St. Clair Avenue
St. Clair Avenue is a major east-west street in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was laid out in the late 18th century by the British as a concession road , north of Bloor Street and north of Queen Street....
and Keele Street
Keele Street
Keele Street is a north-south road in Toronto and York Region in Ontario, Canada. It stretches 47km, running from Bloor Street in Toronto to the Holland Marsh. South of Bloor Street, the roadway is today known as Parkside Drive, but was originally part of Keele Street...
. It was finally put out of service when the plant closed in 2008, and the tracks through the park were removed in late October 2009.
Culture and amenities
The park has a wading pool used in the summer, tennis courts, a soccer field, a baseball diamond, a bocceBocce
Bocce is a ball sport belonging to the boules sport family, closely related to bowls and pétanque with a common ancestry from ancient games played in the Roman Empire...
court and two playgrounds. It is the home of George Bell Arena, which features an ice rink used extensively by local hockey leagues.
The Maltese
Maltese people
The Maltese are an ethnic group indigenous to the Southern European nation of Malta, and identified with the Maltese language. Malta is an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea...
community of Toronto hosts an annual one day festival in this park.