A Visit to the Scarborough Bluffs along with Guild Park and Gardens (Formerly Guildwood Park)
Just east of Toronto, along the magnificent shores of Lake Ontario, you will find the Toronto Suburb of Scarborough. Although mostly unremarkable by any stretch of the imagination it does have two distinct attractions the “Ontario Famous” Scarborough Bluffs and Guild Park and Gardens (Guildwood Park), a monument to Toronto’s 20th century past.
Speaking of which this article should be read in conjunction with my article on the city of Toronto.
Table of Contents
The Bluffs
Honestly, I did not expect much from this attraction but it blew me away. The cliffs of Scarborough (wannabe Dover) range over kilometers along the lake Ontario shoreline, ranging over nine parks and 15 kilometers, where the bluffers park is the most impressive of them, yet the bluffs can be found as far as Guildwood Park. Some of the elevations can even ride up to 90m (300ft). The bluffs actually used to be longer, extending to Toronto’s waterfront but a section was levelled for development purposes.
There is plenty of parking at the park, yet in Toronto this fill up fast. I strongly recommend parking in one of the surrounding neighborhoods and walking down to Bluffer’s Park instead. From here you can also check out the parks overlooking the bluffs for equally beautiful views. Pathways have been built into the bluffs and there is plenty of room to explore.
When you do make it down to the park you will find a natural lagoon at the east, now used to treat stormwater
At the end of the lagoon is a beach along with a circular, yet peninsular viewpoint extending out from the crescent shape beach bay.
The beach is at the start of the most photographed section of cliffs of with the giants peering out of the azur waters.
On the circular park mentioned earlier you will find a historical marker explaining the history of the area as well as the best views of the cliffs.
In the distance you will get a chance to see plenty of sailboats anchored to the bay floor
Here are more pictures of the cliffs!
Guildwood Park – Guild Park and Gardens
Home to the Guild Inn, a grand old structure dating from 1914, this Toronto city park built at the edge of the Scarborough Bluffs. The old hotel was once part of a flourishing arts colony, Canada’s only artists’ colony that operated during the Great Depression, and is still used for social events. The most important part of the complex are the gardens, today containing ruins of Toronto’s old buildings. The nomenclature for this park is confusing. Officially it should be Guild Park & Gardens but the name Guildwood (the name given to the planned suburban community built in the 1950s) has taken over use.
The is plenty of parking up front and after walking to the west side of the building you will be able to begin the garden walk.
Greeting you into the complex is an ancient archway as well as an Art Deco block with what looks to be a fisherman with his catch and the inscription Newfoundland running from top to bottom.
Of the strange objects collected in the park, one can find this strange statue of a bear.
As well as this old section of anold Music Hall.
Eventually the pathway will take you to a crossroads at this fountain.
Looking north you will find the old in and gardens.
To the south the path will find a gate leading to a viewpoint over the bluffs.
The centerpiece of the park is the Greek theater that stands near its center.
There are plenty more ruins to see on the site such as this old doorway and lampadaire.
Or this fountain.
Keep an eye out for the remains of the Temple Building, an early Canadian skyscraper that was the tallest in the city of Toronto until 1905.
