Toronto Music Garden

"I particularly remember visiting the Toronto Music Gardens at the city's waterfront. My last visit to the harbourfront retreat was by myself in July of 2022, during the weekend. I did not feel lonely despite attending a very active and social meeting point alone. The musicians and tranquil environment provided everyone, including me, the space to freely roam, sit, observe and listen to the live music performances. The iconic grassy steps of the Music Garden are oriented towards a large tree with the Lake Ontario Harbourfront boardwalk in the background of the clearing under the large tree, which serves as the performance stage space. The steps are over a meter in depth, allowing the perfect space to sit, recline, and even spread out a small picnic blanket. The area surrounding the Music Garden steps consists of lush greenery and colourful blossoming flowers in the summer. Various seating bench options were present from different materials, such as wood, plastic and steel. Beyond the grassy steps, the partially covered grass area provided more social and resting areas, some falling under the shade of the plethora of trees and some under the clear open blue sky. During my visit, the grass was densely occupied by families, friends and couples. Between all the groups, the level of preparation and perceived spontaneity of the visit could be seen, based on the amount of equipment and picnic preparation. Like me, many individuals were seated alone but visibly relaxed while conducting unique activities. The activities ranged from reading, writing, sketching, painting, people-watching, eating, napping, and speaking or using their phones. The notion that all the members in the sounding area were content with conducting their own activities removed the sense of loneliness as we all were connected in the open-air environment, forming a unique transient sense of community. The Toronto Music Garden engaged all my senses. From the auditory symphony of the classical music, the laughter and activity of individuals of all ages with the softened noises of the urban form coming from the main road behind the barrier of trees; providing their own sound of rustling leaves to the sound of the lake water splashing against the harbour wall. The sight of the rippling lake from the summer sun, the Kaleidoscope of shadows created by the tall trees contrasting the colourful plants, and flowers of the spiralling garden nearby. The feeling of the warm sun and wind on my face, the feeling of the fresh grass on my legs and hands, the mixture of various smells from everyone’s picnics, and lastly, the taste of my own dessert in hand; the Toronto Music Garden has been preserved in my mind as a quality experience of the built environment, nature and community." (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2023, p.182). Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/EDKYR6r6PsSYd5EUA