Capture the best of Riverside art and design with this tour
Explore Riverside’s vibrant history and artistic spirit on this photo tour on August 11th. Unleash your inner photographer as you start at Riverside Common Park, where the legacy of Toronto’s first professional baseball team unfolds at Baseball Place Lane. Capture the intricate murals like "Along the Riverbanks" and the "Currents of Change" Laneway Murals. Take in the history and views at the Broadview Hotel, and end your tour at the Queen Garden Centre’s ‘A Time for Pollinators’ mural.
Have fun and make memories while unlocking the Riverside Photo Tour Badge for a chance to win prizes. To earn your badge, you'll be guided through some of the best historic monuments, murals, and public art Riverside has to offer. At each spot, use the app to check in, add vibes, share tips, and earn points to achieve your Riverside Photo Tour Badge.
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The first stop will be Riverside Common Park / Baseball Place Lane, where you'll be able to immerse yourself in the historic vibes this neighborhood has to offer. Take pictures of murals that commemorate the sports history of the area and enjoy the vibrant open spaces.
The second stop is the "Time and a Clock" art. Once an unremarkable passage, the Queen Street Viaduct, now known as the ‘Riverside Bridge,’ became iconic in 1996 thanks to artist Eldon Garnet and the Riverside BIA and City of Toronto. The art consists of three parts: atop the bridge, at the four corners of Queen E and Broadview, and on poles next to Jimmie Simpson Park. In 2015, dynamic night lighting was added to the bridge art.
Next, you'll find yourself at the 'Along the Riverbanks' mural, created in 2022 by artist Nick Sweetman. This 2,000 sq ft mural depicts our connection to the Don River and highlights the importance of protecting and appreciating the remaining wild spaces, as our urban environment grows denser. It also celebrates the flora and fauna that inhabit these areas.
The fourth stop of the tour is Joel Weeks Park, where you'll be able to photograph The Don Mount Court project, "The W Club." This project celebrates the culture and growth of women’s basketball in Toronto and across the country. The park, part of the redevelopment from Don Mount Court to Rivertowne, features a flowing river design, playful sculptures, community gardens, a vibrant basketball court, and more hidden gems created with the help of many local partners.
Very close to the park, you'll find the Women Paint Riverside laneway murals. These art murals span three city blocks and showcase the artistic expression of women, Two-Spirit, and non-binary muralists. They celebrate the incredible power and beauty of the water that has supported human life and emphasize the urgency required to protect it.
The second-to-last stop will be the Broadview Hotel, an iconic heritage building with a long and colorful history dating back to the 1800s. Featuring a rooftop bar offering a stunning 360-degree view of the Toronto skyline.
Lastly, visit the "A Time for Pollinators" mural at the Queen Garden Centre. This artwork honors bees as vital pollinators and pays tribute to Albert Edelstein, a founder of the Riverside BIA. The Queen Garden Centre is more than just a home for this mural—it also includes the Queen Garden Cafe and hosts a variety of seasonal activities like live music, comedy shows, seasonal fire pits, and beekeeping demonstrations.
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