Riverdale Park East

Riverdale Park East — Toronto’s postcard skyline lookout

Perched on the eastern rim of the Lower Don River valley in the Riverdale neighbourhood, this hillside park frames one of the city’s best free views of the downtown skyline and CN Tower. Neighbours jog its track, families sled its slope, and photographers arrive for golden hour.

Highlights

• Skyline lookout — a wide, unobstructed view of downtown and the CN Tower from the crest of the hill.
• Toboggan hill — a long, steep grass slope dropping into the Don Valley, one of downtown’s most popular winter sled runs.
• Dr. Sun Yat-Sen statue — the park’s signature monument, near the southeast corner.
• Valley footbridge — a pedestrian crossing linking to Riverdale Park West and Riverdale Farm.
• Outdoor ice rink & ball-hockey pad — artificial ice for winter skating and a hard-court hockey surface.
• Running track & sports fields — a track, tennis courts, ball diamonds and multipurpose fields.

What you’ll find

Part of the roughly 42-hectare combined Riverdale Park, the east side packs a full sports roster into the valley’s edge.

• A running track and tennis courts
• Ball diamonds and multipurpose fields for soccer, baseball and Ultimate
• An artificial outdoor ice rink and a ball-hockey pad
• An off-leash dog area
• Access to valley trails and the footbridge to Riverdale Farm

Things to do — and who it’s for

• Photographers — an unbeatable skyline frame, best at late-afternoon golden hour.
• Families — a classic toboggan hill in winter and open lawns for play.
• Runners — laps on the track or the valley trails below.
• Team players — tennis and field sports in summer, outdoor skating and ball hockey in winter.
• Dog owners & picnickers — an off-leash area and grassy slopes for a spread.

Getting there & practical

The park sits in Riverdale on the east side of the Don Valley, across from Cabbagetown and beside Riverdale Farm. It’s an easy trip by streetcar, with subway connections nearby and a short walk down into the park. Entry is free and the park is open daily; allow an hour for the view and a stroll, longer if you’re sledding or catching a game.

When to visit

Winter is prime time: the hill fills with tobogganers and the outdoor rink draws skaters. Summer brings field sports, picnics and a free outdoor movie series screening PG films at dusk. Any clear late afternoon rewards you with golden-hour skyline light, making spring and fall equally worthwhile for a quieter visit.

Good to know

The land was once owned by early settler John Scadding and opened as public parkland in 1880, making it one of Toronto’s older green spaces. Its signature monument, a statue of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, still stands near the southeast corner.

Visitor tips

• Come for late-afternoon golden hour if the skyline photo is your goal.
• Bring a sled in winter — the hill is steep and popular, so expect crowds on snowy weekends.
• Cross the footbridge to combine your visit with Riverdale Farm and Riverdale Park West.

Questions & answers

Is there an entry fee? No — the park is free and open to the public daily.

Where’s the best skyline view? From the crest of the hill on the west-facing slope, looking across the Don Valley toward downtown and the CN Tower.

Can I go tobogganing here? Yes — the long grass hill is one of downtown’s most popular sled runs in winter.

What winter activities are there? Besides tobogganing, there’s an artificial outdoor ice rink for skating and a ball-hockey pad.

Is it dog-friendly? Yes — there’s a designated off-leash dog area.

How do I reach Riverdale Farm from here? A pedestrian footbridge crosses the valley, linking the park to Riverdale Park West and Riverdale Farm.