New Toronto Guide: Parks, Art and Local History

New Toronto is neighbourhood number 018 in the City of Toronto’s official list.

This guide pulls together what the City of Toronto’s own open records say about the area: its parks, public art, library and the local stories in the City’s walking notes.

Which parks and outdoor spaces are in New Toronto?

• Birmingham Street Parkette at 265 Twelfth St: the City lists outdoor fitness equipment, outdoor ping pong/table tennis.

• Colonel Samuel Smith Park at 3145 Lake Shore Blvd W: the City lists dog off-leash area, outdoor track, playground.

• Don Russell Memorial Park at 290 Birmingham St: the City lists ball diamond, dog off-leash area, outdoor track, playground.

• Jordon Carter Memorial Park at 160 Eighth St: the City lists skateboarding.

• Lakeshore Village Park at 45 Garnett Janes Rd: the City lists basketball court, playground.

• Prince of Wales Park at 1 Third St: the City lists pickleball court, playground, tennis court, washroom.

• Rotary Peace Park at 25 Eleventh St: the City lists ball diamond, pickleball court, playground, tennis court, washroom.

• Cliff Lumsdon Park is a City park at 101 Lake Shore Dr.

• Prince of Wales Park at 1 Third St has an outdoor artificial ice rink.

What stories do the City’s walking notes tell about New Toronto?

These stories are summarised in our own words from the City of Toronto’s StrollTO walking-tour notes.

Indigenous Cultural Markers at Humber College Lakeshore Campus

Two public art pieces at Humber College Lakeshore Campus serve as a physical land acknowledgement, placing the college within the long history of Indigenous peoples in the Greater Toronto Area. Designed by Ryan Gorrie and David Thomas with Indigenous students and faculty, “The Migration of the Anishinaabe” marks seven stopping places, and a courtyard piece offers eight markers.

Humber College Lakeshore Campus

Long before any hospital stood here, this land served as an Indigenous travel way and trading path. Today, many heritage listed buildings of the Humber College Lakeshore Campus belong to the former Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital, and patients built numerous structures themselves through forced labour, a history worth remembering on any visit.

Colonel Samuel Smith Park

Lake Ontario’s wooded shoreline is home to a sizable park that ranks among the top places for bird watching. Urban wetlands trails wind through it, and a well-loved skating trail draws visitors once winter arrives.

Cliff Lumsdon Park

Cliff Lumsdon Park takes its name from a famous Canadian swimmer, Cliff Lumsdon. Located on the shore of Lake Ontario, this local favourite gives visitors fantastic views of downtown Toronto.

What else does the City list in New Toronto?

• Gus Ryder Pool and Health Club at 1 Faustina Dr: the City lists wi-fi.
• Ken Cox Community Centre at 28 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr: the City lists wi-fi.
• New Toronto Seniors’ Centre at 105 Fourth St: the City lists wi-fi.
• Swell by Greenwood, Robin / Lovlin, Jarie / Philips, Carol is a public artwork (multidisciplinary) from 1997 at 25 Eleventh Street, Rotary Peace Park Pool.
• The Third Garden by Chen, Millie / Quigley, Warren is a public artwork (sculpture) from 2001 at 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Drive, Lakeshore Grounds.
• untitled (Bell) by Francis Muscat is a public artwork (sculpture) from 1994 at 110 11th Street, Toronto Public Library, New Toronto Branch.
• The Toronto Public Library’s New Toronto branch is at 110 Eleventh Street.

Want to keep exploring? See more Toronto neighbourhood guides, browse the Loop TO’s city guides, find more outdoor ideas or read our culture guides.