St. Andrew’s Playground Park is a pocket of calm tucked between condos, cafés, and city streets. It’s small but mighty. One of those neighborhood parks that quietly plays a big role in daily urban life.

Nestled just south of Waterworks Food Hall, St. Andrew’s Park quietly carries Toronto’s history in its open layout and everyday rhythms. It stands on the site of the city’s first public playground, which opened in 1908 in what was once part of St. Andrew’s Market, a bustling nineteenth-century commercial hub. The market was decommissioned in the early 20th century, and the southern section evolved into the Playground by 1909, now known as St. Andrew’s Playground Park.

Redesigned and reopened in 2021 by landscape firm DTAH in partnership with the City of Toronto, the park now balances calm and movement with new seating, accessible pathways, and a central plaza that welcomes gatherings. A bright yellow surface treatment sweeps across the playground and furniture, animating the park with warmth and playfulness. The design keeps mature trees in place and adds planting layers to ensure a healthy urban canopy for years to come.

The park is active throughout the day. Its accessible dog off-leash zone, complete with a water fountain for pets, children, and adults, draws local dog walkers. Families gather on the playground, visitors pause on benches under tree shade, and neighbors drift in for a moment of respite or connection.

Discover St. Andrew’s Playground Park Neighborhood:

St. Andrew’s Playground Park Grounds the City as a Historic Downtown Toronto Park
Waterworks Food Hall: Breathing New Life into King West
Civil Parks: The Playground-Inspired Patio for Grownups
From After-Hours to Infrared Saunas at King and Portland
The Ace Hotel Toronto: Redefining Toronto’s Third Place Culture