Queen Gardens
The Parkdale Village Business Improvement Area (PVBIA) encompasses the area along Toronto's celebrated Queen Street West from Dufferin Street to Roncesvalles Avenue. Because of its close proximity to the waterfront, Parkdale was once a resort spot for Torontonians - with beautiful summer homes nestled among lush trees and plants. As Toronto blossomed into Canada's greatest city, Parkdale grew alongside it - transforming from a quaint beach-side community to the vibrant and bustling urban area we know and love today. This development has had immeasurable benefits for Parkdale; although sadly the transformation cost us many of our beautiful trees. The PVBIA, working in conjunction with local businesses, community members and proudly supported by TD Green Streets, aims to reverse this damage by planting trees and greenery within our neighbourhood, such as in these urban garden plots, located on the south side of Queen Street West between Dunn and Cowan Avenues.
In 1888, the building located at 1313 Queen Street West (just east of this garden) was built to accommodate Parkdale's first police and fire department. Over the years, many Parkdale natives have shared their stories of living or working in this building throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Today, this building is owned by Artscape and is home to the Parkdale Village BIA office, as well as numerous non-profit organizations and arts workers.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Toronto Plaques. Full page here.