Natalie the Explorer

A Walk in Kew Gardens

August 8, 2025August 10, 2025Natalie52 Comments

Last month I biked to Kew Gardens in Toronto (named after Kew Gardens in London). Kew Gardens in Toronto is a 6.5-hectare park that stretches from Queen Street East to Lakeshore. I walked to photograph four historic structures and other lovely features in the park.

I included text descriptions from Kew Gardens or Heritage Toronto information boards in italic font in my post in case you are interested in the history. Most images have beige, tan or peach colours for Terri’s Sunday Stills August colour challenge.

The Williams family came to the Beach in 1850 from Ireland, bought four acres of land that was to become a farm. They prospered and purchased more properties. Joseph Williams developed this area into “The Canadian Kew Gardens” that opened to the public in May 1879.

1. The Kew Williams House

The Kew Williams House was built in 1902.

Kew Williams (1873-1956) built this house for his wife, Bertha Curran, in the Canadian Kew Gardens, a campground resort opened in 1879 by his parents, Joseph Williams and Jane Henry. Using mostly shale and limestone that Kew and his brothers gathered from Lake Ontario and transported here by schooner, this two-storey stone building was designed in the Queen Anne Revival style. It features an asymmetrical front façade, a variety of window types, a corner tower with a bell-shaped roof, and a round verandah. Joseph Williams sold the house and 20-acre property to the City of Toronto in 1907. A year later, this was the only building nor moved or demolished when Kew Gardens was made into a public park. The house was a residence for the park caretakers from 1911 until 2002, before becoming an occasional community event facility.

Heritage Toronto 2015

2. The Alex Christie Bandshell

The Alex Christie Bandshell at Kew Gardens.

Alex Christie (1917-1992), had a lifetime of involvements in community and city affairs…When the bandshell in Kew Gardens was replaced in 1992, it was named in his memory. The Bandshell is one of the most photographed and recognizable features at Kew Gardens.

Kew Gardens information board

3. Dr. William D. Young Memorial

The Italian Renaissance-style Doctor William D. Young Memorial.

Erected by residents of the Beach in 1920, this memorial was dedicated to Dr. William D. Young (1874-1918) a local physician who devoted his career to the health and welfare of children. Dr. Young died from influenza after tending to many children during a flu epidemic. The memorial was designed by architect Maurice D. Klein and contains a statue of a child by Frances Gauge. The statue was designated a historical memorial by the City of Toronto in 1977.

Kew Gardens information board

4. The Leuty Lifeguard Station

The Leuty Lifeguard Station at Kew-Balmy Beach.

Erected in 1920 by the Toronto Harbour Commission to oversee the safety of the boaters and swimmers, this small wooden structure symbolizes the Beach area. Its location was the centralized area for boat rentals at the time and has been credited with saving more than 6000 lives. It has been moved four times to remain in the forefront of the fluctuating water levels. During the 1980s, the beach community organized and raised funds to have it completely restored to its current state. The Toronto Historical Board has declared the Lifeguard Station a structure of historical importance. It is the most recognized and photographed site in the Eastern waterfront.

Kew Gardens information board

5. Red Oak Tree and Flowers

This red oak (Quericus rubra) is likely the oldest tree in Kew Gardens. Estimates suggest it sprouted in the early 1800s and produced its first acorns in the 1850s. In 2022, it was officially measured at 36 meters (118 feet) tall and 5.1 meters (16.7 feet) around the trunk.

Red oaks are native to Southern Ontario and can be found throughout the city. Under optimal conditions, they can live to around 500 years old. Like many other tree species, red oaks have a root system that often extends two to three times the extent of its branches. This oak’s great size and age have made it a local landmark.

Heritage Toronto 2022

Daisies, roses and day lilies at Kew Gardens.

6. Public Art

I found a few public art items on display in the gardens for my weekly Public Art photo challenge.

*Leuty Lifeguard Station* mural painted by Nyms A.C.K (@ dat-dude-stu) at Kew Gardens.

At the north end of Kew Gardens, there is a 17-metre aluminum screen above a long wooden bench. The screen has a quote: “Kew Gardens – A Place of Innocent Amusements – Joseph Williams“.

A cenotaph honouring service in the First World War, Second World War and Korean War is located on the park’s Queen Street side.

And a LOCAL sculpture near the cenotaph. It is similar to the one I found near St. Lawrence Market. This sculpture has pink dots.

*LOCAL* sculpture at Kew Gardens, Queen Street East.

7. The Boardwalk and Kew-Balmy Beach

At the south end, this park meets up with the boardwalk and beach that run along the Lake Ontario shoreline. I spent some time at the beach before biking home.

Looking east from Kew-Balmy Beach to Woodbine Beach.

It was a wonderful outing with green space and blue space in one location. I sure am lucky to live here.

How was your week? I’d love to hear from you in the Comments or Weekend Coffee Share link-up #218 below. If you have public art images to share, please leave link in the Comments or create a pingback. I’d love to see your photos.

An Eclectic and Hot July

August 1, 2025August 6, 2025Natalie74 Comments

I spent July travelling with a family member and staying in three Canadian provinces (Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec). No matter where we landed, a heat wave also happened with hot and sunny days of 32-35 degrees Celsius (90-95F) plus humidity. The high temperatures meant we had to adjust our outdoor activities and spent more time indoors.

We were in three cities in Eastern Canada (Toronto, Montreal and Longeuil) and two cities in Western Canada (Vancouver and Surrey). We supported Canadian businesses by spending on accommodations, meals and transit. We enjoyed travelling, walking and exploring local sights together.

Nature

We explored parks, gardens and beaches early in the day when it was slightly cooler. Green trees and bodies of water were welcoming signs in July. Since there is no mountain in Toronto, it was wonderful to see mountains again when we were in British Columbia.

*A large wetland and pond at Guilford Heights Park in Surrey, British Columbia*. *We spotted a grey heron, ducks and fish here.*

*View of the mountain range from our room in Surrey, British Columbia. There was snow on some of the mountain tops.*

*Beautiful yellow lilies with purple specks in a garden in Toronto.*

*View of majestic trees in Kew Gardens. “The Canadian Kew Gardens” were opened to the public in May 1879.*

Architecture and History

While in Toronto, we visited three National Historic Sites of Canada: Fort York, George Brown House, and Union Station. I will share more about Fort York in a separate post.

View of Fort York from Sir Isaac Brock Bridge (Bathurst Street Bridge). Fort York, *Canada’s largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings*, was built in 1793 and is the birthplace of urban Toronto.

*George Brown House was built in 1876 for George Brown, a Father of Confederation, founder of the Globe newspaper (now the Globe and Mail) and a leading Liberal politician.*

*Entrance to trains at Toronto Union Station*. *We travelled by train from Toronto to Montreal and back.*

Arts and Entertainment

We watched the spectacular Canada Day celebration fireworks at Harbourfront in Toronto and the International Fireworks Competition by the Saint Lawrence River in Montreal. We also watched the F1 movie in the theatre. It was a good deal at $5 per ticket (Tuesday pricing). We sat in comfy reclining seats and an air-conditioned room while it was hot outside.

We have seen plenty of beautiful public art throughout July. Here’s a small sampling.

“*Discover the Soul of Madrid*” mural in Toronto.

*Sunflower mosaics at Toronto Pearson International Airport*.

“*Raven Stealing the Beaver Lake*” *sculptures by Reg Davidson (2016), at Vancouver International Airport*.

We love exploring Canada and feel very grateful for living here.

How was your July? I’d love to hear from you in the Comments or Weekend Coffee Share link-up #217 below. If you have public art images to share, please leave link in the Comments or create a pingback. I’d love to see your photos. Happy August!

Squares with Red from Sicily

July 25, 2025July 9, 2025Natalie54 Comments

While going through my travel photos taken in Sicily in May, I found a few squares with red for Becky’s Squares photo challenge.

A firecracker plant (Russelia equisetiformis) blooms in Taormina Public Gardens.

A basket of red tomatoes on a farm near Erice.

The last photo is square but not red. It is a sculpture for my Public Art photo challenge this week.

“*Angeli del Nostro Tempo*” (*Angels of Our Time*), Piero Guidi, Taormina Public Gardens.

I’d love to hear from you in the Comments or Weekend Coffee Share link-up #216 below. If you have public art images to share, please leave link in the Comments or create a pingback. I’d love to see your photos.

Historic Doors on Hazelton Avenue

July 18, 2025July 9, 2025Natalie63 Comments

I found a few doors when I took a photo walk on Hazelton Avenue in the Yorkville neighbourhood in Toronto. It was a challenge to get good pictures of the buildings because a few objects got in the way such as trees, parked cars, lamp posts, street signs and wire lines. I hope you enjoy the photos.

Heliconian Hall, originally the Olivet Congregational Church built in 1876, is located at 35 Hazelton Avenue and Scollard Street. The structure was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 2008.

This distinctive hall, home of the Heliconian Club since 1923, was built as a Carpenter Gothic Revival Style church in 1876. Established in 1909, the club brought together professional women from an eclectic mix of artistic disciplines, including music, art, dance, drama, and literature, offering a much needed venue where they were free to express, share, and develop their talents at a time when men dominated the arts. Heliconian Hall, with its stage, exhibit space, and fine acoustics, has served as an important centre for artistic activity, promoting the place of women in the arts in Canada.

Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and Parks Canada plaque

*The former Olivet Congregational Church at 33 Hazelton Avenue was built in 1890.* *Architects Dick & Wickson designed the red brick structure in an adaptation of the Romanesque style.* *The church main corner entrances feature a Credit Valley stone base and Ohio stone trim.*

*Over one of the main corner entrances* *is a name band inscribed with “Olivet” and intricate stone carvings which include the date “1890” (upper left).* *The building has been converted into a commercial property.*

*68 Hazelton Avenue (George M. Lee House), completed in 1878, features two posts before the main door, three-coloured bricks above the windows and a Gothic roof with decorative details.*

*65 Hazelton Avenue, completed in 1877, features red and yellow bricks, Mansard roof, arch-top door and upper floor windows.*

*49 Hazelton Avenue was built in 1875 by Charles Bishop in Gothic Revival style. Note the small black door on the right and the darker brick colour of 51 Hazelton Avenue on the left.*

*46 and 48 Hazelton Avenue have similar features except the door colours, red and black respectively.*

Finally, one pretty entrance for my Public Art photo challenge. If you have public art images to share, please leave link in the Comments or create a pingback. I’d love to see your photos.

*Yorkville Village entrance with decorative flowers.*

Did you find any of the buildings attractive? I’d love to hear from you in the Comments or join in Weekend Coffee Share link-up #215 below.

Local Red and White Blooms

July 11, 2025July 9, 2025Natalie67 Comments

While I was out walking this month, I found a few red and white blooms for Terri’s Sunday Stills July photo challenge.

Red roses — Classic red roses at Exhibition Place.

Gorgeous white hydrangeas near the Distillery District.

Daylilies in different shades of red in Toronto Music Garden.

White hostas in the sunlight in Toronto Music Garden.

For my Public Art photo challenge this week, I am sharing a photo of the Local sculpture at St. Lawrence Market Farmers’ Market encouraging Torontonians to choose fresh food from close to home while supporting local farmers and businesses.

How was your week? I would love to hear from you in the Comments section or Weekend Coffee Share link-up #214 below. If you have any public art to share, please leave link in the Comments or create a pingback. I would love to see your photos.

A Walk in Manulife Gardens

July 4, 2025July 6, 2025Natalie82 Comments

One of my recent walks was in the beautifully-maintained Manulife Gardens in downtown Toronto. It was just past rush hour and the gardens were peaceful. I could hear birds singing and the leaves rustled in the breeze.

The kousa dogwood trees were at peak bloom. Their branches were laden with white and light pink star-like flowers.

I found a bench for Jude with nice green plants around it and good views of the gardens.

One of the footpaths leads to four kidney-shaped stone benches forming a circle.

Two of four kidney-shaped stone benches in Manulife Gardens.

Another footpath leads to a park-like setting and more benches behind the Manulife building.

Footpath that wraps around Manulife building.

In front of the Manulife building, on the south-east side is the “Community” sculpture consisting of 21 life-sized figures designed by Kirk Newman (2001). The sculpture measures 2 metres high and is more than 8 metres in length. Zoom in to find your favourite figure.

*Community* sculpture, Kirk Newman (2001).

Closeup of the *Community* sculpture, Kirk Newman (2001).

Across the street is St. Paul’s Bloor Street church that opened in 1842 and after further construction and expansion over the years, it is today the largest Anglican church in Toronto.

St. Paul’s Bloor Street church, Toronto.

It was a lovely walk through Manulife Gardens. I enjoyed the beauty and peace in this green space, just steps away from a bustling city centre.

How was your week? Have you visited a garden recently? I’d love to hear from you in the Comments or Weekend Coffee Share link-up #213 below.

A Beautiful and Fun June

June 27, 2025July 1, 2025Natalie61 Comments

June is coming to an end and what a beautiful and fun month it has been. I chose activities that I enjoy and did everything at a leisure pace so I did not feel busy or rushed. I have been sharing weekly beautiful and fun experiences in the previous three blog posts:

June 6 – One Beautiful Thing A Day
June 13 – Having Some Fun Each Day
June 20 – Some Beautiful and Unusual Things

The 4th week in June continued to be beautiful and fun. Toronto had our first heat wave of the year from Sunday to Tuesday this week. The daytime high temperatures rose to 36C (97F) and felt 45C (113F) with humidity. Thankfully, the temperatures have returned to a comfortable range by Thursday. Here’s a small sampling of what I enjoyed this past week.

Nature

Some of the beautiful flowers and scenery I encountered on my lakeside bike rides and nature walks.

From top left, clockwise: 1) Red and large-sized peonies, 2) White and medium-sized peonies, 3) Pink and white foxgloves by the lake, 4) Reflections on Grenadier Pond, 5) Magnificent trees in High Park, 6) Kousa dogwood star-like white blooms.

Architecture and History

I took a guided tour of Colborne Lodge and two guided walking tours in Yorkville and along Front Street. They were interesting and informative with stories about Toronto’s history, people, architecture, arts, and more.

Colborne Lodge built in 1837 in Regency style.

From top left, clockwise: 1) Colborne Lodge built in 1837 in Regency style, 2) Yorkville Branch Library built in 1907 in Beaux-Arts style, 3) Fairmont Royal York Hotel built in Châteauesque style and opened in 1929, 4) The present St. Lawrence Market South was built in 1845, 5) The reconstructed St. Lawrence Market North was recently opened in 2025.

Arts and Culture

June is Pride month in Toronto and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples’ Day. From end of May to early October, there are art exhibitions, farmers’ markets, festivals, parades and music programs all over Toronto. I enjoyed many fun and free arts and culture events with family, friends or solo. This weekend I will be going to two festivals with my sister.

Creating Totem Poles Google doodle by Alano Edzerza (2025).

The Empire Sandy tall ship in Toronto Harbour.

From top left, clockwise: 1) Dancers at Indigenous Arts Festival & Na-Ma-Res Pow Wow, 2) Celebrating Totem Poles created by Vancouver-based guest artist Alano Edzerza. It was the Google Doodle for June 21, 2025 commemorating National Indigenous Peoples Day, 3) Manulife Headquarter Building celebrates Pride Month, 4) Farmers’ market in Nathan Phillips Square, 5) The Empire Sandy Tall Ship will take part in the Toronto Waterfront Festival.

As mentioned here, starting July 1st due to my summer travels I will pause posting public art images on Tuesday. I will continue sharing public art as part of my Weekend Coffee Share post on Friday. If you have public art images to share, please plan to join me on Friday. I’d love to see your photos.

How was your June? I’d love for you to share in the Comments or join in Weekend Coffee Share link-up #212 below. Happy July!

Public Art: Whale’s Dream

June 24, 2025June 25, 2025Natalie36 Comments

Please note that starting July 1st, due to my summer travels I will pause posting public art images on Tuesday. I will continue sharing public art as part of my Weekend Coffee Share blog post on Friday.

The Whale’s Dream mural by artist Kseniya Tsoy (2025) features “joyful bursts of color, playful whales, and blooming flowers – including the endangered yellow wood poppy, a native gem of Ontario. This vibrant artwork offers a whimsical escape, bringing brightness and a sense of wonder to a busy corner of downtown Toronto.”

Whale's Dream murak — *Whale’s Dream* mural, Kseniya Tsoy (2025).

If you have any public art you’d like to share, please leave link in the Comments or create a pingback. I’d love to see your photos. Have a good week!