Alexandra Park

I didn’t think I’ll be writing a review for a city park, but here it goes.
Alexandra Park has been here for as long as I can remember and I used to frequent this local neighbourhood park as a child playing on the climbing gym and splashing in the wading pool along with using the indoor/​outdoors swimming pool, ice rink, community centre and the Sanderson library that all makes up the Scadding Court Community/​Alexandra Park.
I have never paid much attention as an adult except when the leaves change, the seniors doing their morning tai chi, kids blaring their music at night in the summer or the homeless sleeping in the park. Plus there’s a mobile van in the winter parked on Bathurst distributing hot beverages, food and warm clothing to individuals in need during cold weather alerts.
Nowadays, I would just walk/​run by the park or use it as a shortcut to get to the other side. Occasionally, I would stop and watch people ice skate and play hockey (all season whether ice or floor hockey) and in the summer skateboarders doing their trick jumps.
The most exciting thing that happened to the park this year was the Toronto Maple Leafs had their outdoors open practice at the rink that drew quite a crowd in early January in what must have been one of the coldest day.
In addition, everything is slowly melting away creating puddles and some muddy mess, but soon everything will turn green and beautiful and we’ll see an abundance of people and animals in sight loitering around. I cannot wait until the weather becomes much warmer to see the flowers bloom and hear the children’s laughter filling the park; even see the many squirrels scattering away.
Recently, I’ve been dog sitting so I have been coming to the park throughout the day for the dog walks and there’s just a calm peaceful feeling that is indescribable. Despite all the snow, the park is very pretty with the big bare trees and people just walking by.
I’ve never been to the park so early before especially on a Saturday, but to see the zamboni cleaning the ice at 6am is quite the sight. It’s actually quite nice and even this is way too early for me, but in a way the whole park is quite serene.
Sure there has been some shady activities in this park in the past and most recently made the news earlier this year, but where in the city are you free from all things bad?
Overall, Alexandra Park is a great local neighbourhood park that serves the community well and welcomes just everyone.

Rob Poyner deserves credit for this skatepark. The city deems it as unofficial but regardless the skate community has a place to play downtown and not worry about security staff chasing them off the banks property
its known as the Dunbat

Alexandra Park is many things to many people. Ice skating and hockey in the winter changes to inline hockey and skateboarding in the summer. Ryerson Public School is on the same property and shares its basketball court and playing fields with the public. You can use their wall space and paved lot to practice your tennis swing. Lining Dundas and running from Ryerson PS all the way to Bathurst is Scadding Court Community Center, including the indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The latest addition to Scadding is the outdoor market along Dundas called 707 with their bright orange container kiosks that open regularly in the nicer weather. Activities I’ve seen at this complex are as varied and colourful as the people who come here from all directions. Drum circle practice (noisy!) and asians practicing ball room dancing with a ghetto blaster — dancers formally dressed, first thing in the morning. Many nearby residents with their kids will hang out in the shady area just outside the outdoor pool. Sharing the park space are the odd group of punks with big dogs on the loose so watch out for them if the dogs scare you. With McDonalds and Tim Hortons across the street you are never far from any needs, and as well there is a small restaurant inside the community center. More than just a park, Alexandra Park helps to make Toronto a special place welcoming both newcomers and long-​time residents.

I like this park in the summer time for obvious reasons: it has three baseball diamonds, a skateboard area, a small playground and a community pool.
As the cooler months settle in, Alexandra Park loses its charm a bit and most of these perks are rendered useless. It’s not super well lit at night so you may need to cut your playtime or walk short in the fall or bring a flashlight.
There is also lots of questionable groups of people who hang out at this park, so don’t be surprised if you see police trolling around the area and arresting said folks!

I have never spent a more lovely summer afternoon than sitting on a bench in the shade watching guys skateboard at this park. There’s nothing more to it.
Well, maybe a coffee in hand, and a skateboarding lad to take home. But I don’t want to ask too much.

One time in college I was so drunk that I couldn’t really walk. And I had to pee. And I happened to have an unknown male at my side. I peed here, as he guarded me with a large piece of cardboard.
It was muddy.
I fell on my ass.
We went to my room.
I woke up next to him, called my friend and asked her his name.
I went to the bathroom.
My ass was still muddy.
FML

This park surrounds the Scadding Court Community Centre, which hosts great events for the community like cheap lunches and local meetings. There’s an indoor pool and an outdoor one — the outdoor one is free and during the summer nights, some people are known to climb the fence and go for a late-​night swim. In the winter when the pool is closed, beware of the «park» area — it gets SO icy! Stick to the paths and you’ll be fine.
The park itself is definitely a popular skate spot, I know of many people who are here on a regular basis to skate all night and take a break at McDonald’s across the street.
But as for a night-​time walk… I lived in the area for a couple years and I still don’t feel safe around Denison and in the park. Maybe because I know a handful of people who’ve been mugged or attacked in the area, but it’s just not a great place to be at nighttime. Except for in the pool during the summer :)

Known by some as «Dunbat» (because it’s situated right at Dundas and Bathurst), this park is well known in the skateboarding community.
It’s a busy spot during during the day and during peak season, but also busy at night because there’s decent lighting.
The park itself is home to gaggles of Tai Chi folks in the early AM, dog walkers during the day, and a great shelter for homeless folks at night.
With a pool, ice rink, community centre, library and co-​op surrounding it, it’s a true community spot.