| Morningside Park | |
|---|---|
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  Location of the park in Toronto | |
| Type | Urban wild |
| Location | Toronto,Ontario,Canada |
| Coordinates | 43°46′44″N79°11′53″W / 43.779°N 79.198°W /43.779; -79.198 |
| Area | 241.46 hectares (596.7 acres) |
| Operated by | Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division |
Morningside Park is a recreationalnature park located inScarborough,Toronto,Ontario,Canada. It is Toronto's largest municipal park by area.[1]
The park occupies most of thedeep valley ofHighland Creek where it borders the communities ofWest Hill andHighland Creek. Spanning 241.46 hectares (596.7 acres),[1] the park includes picnic areas, public washrooms, parking and footpaths which connect to nearby communities and theWaterfront Trail onLake Ontario. The park is bounded byMorningside Avenue on the east,Ellesmere Road on the north andLawrence Avenue East to the south. Together with theUniversity of Toronto Scarborough lands east of Morningside Avenue and Colonel Danforth Park, the park is part of a continuous forested corridor along the lower reaches of Highland Creek. The park features a high degree ofurban wilderness compared to other parks in Toronto, with deer, eroded cliffs and a remnant forest.[2]
The valley of Highland Creek was at one point a settlement. AfterWorld War II, a shortage in housing resulted in many new residences being built from cottages. However, an increase in settlers was becoming problematic as contaminated wells, evictions, and home demolition were contentious issues in the post-war period. Living conditions were further complicated by the steep slopes and flat floodplain of the Highland Creek further in the area as residents and their cottages were regularly threatened by flash flooding. In 1954, severe damage fromHurricane Hazel led to the removal of housing in the area.Public ownership of floodplain land was established to prevent further development. The area eventually turned into parklands and wildlife was restored.
Over 5,000White Pine trees were planted in Morningside Park by the Boy Scouts of Canada in 1994.[2]
