Grange Park (Toronto)

After a major renovation completed by July 2017, the park includes the following features: • Henry Moore sculpture Large Two Forms, originally located next to the Art Gallery of Ontario at the corner of Dundas and McCaul streets. • An off-leash area for dogs. • Art Gallery of Ontario - on the north side of the park • The Grange - on the north side of the park • Sharp Centre for Design, OCAD University - on the east side of the park • Ruins of St George the Martyr Church (now St. George's Grange Park) - at the John Street entrance to the park Grange Park fountain Children Playground 2023.JPG |Children Playground Grange Park fountain 2023.jpg|Weston family fountain Grange Park Splash Pad 2023.JPG|Splash Pad Grange Park Henry Moore's Large Two Forms 2023.JPG |Henry Moore's Large Two Forms ==History==

Grange Park was originally the front lawn and garden of the Grange, a manor house built in 1820 by the Boulton family, an influential family in 19th century Toronto. In 1910, Harriet Boulton (also known as Mrs. Goldwin Smith) bequeathed her estate to the Art Museum of Toronto (later the Art Gallery of Ontario), which included the Grange, and the surrounding property. On January 20, 1911, the Art Museum of Toronto reached an agreement with the City of Toronto, which would maintain the grounds south of The Grange as a municipal public park. In the mid-1970s, Grange Park was expanded to its present-day size by closing portions of two streets: Grange Road from Beverley Street to John Street and John Street between Grange Road to Stephanie Street. The GPAC is a 15-person Committee whose role is to advise on the restoration and revitalization of Grange Park and on an oversight structure for the ongoing maintenance and program for Grange Park. By then, Grange Park had deteriorated because of restrictions in City funding resulting in uneven pathways, dilapidated benches and playground equipment, many areas of bare ground, and poorly maintained trees. On July 10, 2017, after a cost of $15 million and construction lasting 15 months, a renovated Grange Park officially reopened with many improvements such as expansion of the children's play area, 80 new trees, expanded lawn area, an off-leash dog area, new public washrooms, new water features, and new seating areas. As part of the renovation, the Henry Moore sculpture Large Two Formspark was moved from the corner of Dundas and McCaul Streets to become the centrepiece of the park. The park was designed by PFS Studio with Thinc Design as executive architects. ==References==