Archived Article: Native Wildflower Gardens - Beauty in Nature

Compiled from information by Metro Parks & Culture 
NATIVE WILDFLOWER GARDENS - BEAUTY IN NATURE 
By George Leja

Sun Row Community Action Site
At the Sun Row Community Action Site (CAS) in Alex Marchetti Park (formerly Sun Row Park), the community has been involved in restoration efforts to improve the ecosystem health of our urban parklands. The park is one of three CAS's chosen for immediate action (out of seventeen sites originally nominated) by the former Humber Watershed Task Force which was coordinated by The Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (M.T.R.C.A).

The Sun Row CAS is located between Islington Avenue and The Westway, south of Dixon Road. You can enter the park via existing trails from Islington Avenue on the west side; Sun Row Drive, Sherin Court, and Emery Circle from the south; The Westway at the east end; as well as McManus Road and Dixington Crescent from the north. Unfortunately, there are no parking areas within the park; however, vehicles can be parked along local streets close to most of the entrances.

As a result of events held at the Sun Row CAS this past year, hundreds of native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers were planted within the park to begin the restoration project. Tree species included: Sugar Maple, White Birch, American Ash, Black Ash, Red Pine, American Elm, Black Cherry, White Ash, Hackberry, White Pine, and White Cedar. Shrubs consisted of Grey Dogwood, Snowberry, Highbush Cranberry, Nannyberry, Downy Serviceberry, Meadowsweet, and Staghorn Sumac. An assortment of wildflowers included: Black Eyed Susan, Penstemon digitalis, Butterfly Milkweed, New England Aster, Heath Aster, Smooth Aster, and Cylindric Blazing Star.

In the Spring of 1998, a large wildflower/butterfly garden will be constructed within the park. The Sun Row CAS project partnership will design the garden in cooperation with The Westway Horticultural Society. The proposed garden will add to the beautification of the park, while at the same time function as a natural habitat to attract a variety of butterflies to the site. It is hoped that the new garden will provide ideas to naturalize portions of local residential, business, and school properties; thus, reducing mowing and the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides in surrounding landscaped areas.

Funding sources for the Sun Row CAS project include: the M.T.R.C.A., City of Etobicoke, Environment Canada's Great Lakes 2000 Clean-Up Fund, and a generous grant of $9,900.00 from the Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Foundation (Etobicoke Chapter) to the Humber Creek Restoration Group (H.C.R.G).

For more information regarding the Sun Row CAS, phone George Leja of the HCRG at 416-244-9517. 


James Gardens

In 1908 wholesale fish merchant Fred T. James bought 12 acres of farmland in Etobicoke as a country retreat. For the next forty years James carefully transformed his property into a picturesque garden where public visitors were always welcome. Before their main house was built in 1927, the James family lived in the coach house that still stands next door. James operated a fish market where the circular parking lot is today. The terraces and collection pools were built almost fifty years ago using Humber River slate and weeping tiles.

Mr. and Mrs James died in the 1950's leaving James Gardens as their memorial. In 1955 Metro Toronto purchased the gardens. They have acquired new land and now the total area is about 27 acres (14,479 hectares), just over twice its original size. It is now part of the Etienne Brule park system which extends from Lake Ontario to Thristletown.

At the south end of the park, along the Humber banks is a 10 acre picnic and woodland site, left in a natural state. In 1964 authorized the establishment of this area as a wild flower preserve in co-operation with the Federation of Ontario Naturalists.

The main original garden climbs the steep hillside in a variety of terraces and levels, each with its streams, pools and waterfalls. Metro Parks has tried to preserve the atmosphere of this beautiful garden. Ever-running streams and pools, fed by crystal clear hillside springs flows through the expansive lawns, flowering trees and perennials. Flower lovers will revel at the rose garden, the five acre spring garden section with 120,000 tulips, tuberous begonias, water lilies, perennials and annuals.

In 1969, a bowling green was established to the east off Edenbridge Drive and the James Gardens Lawn Bowling Club came into existence.

There is no admission Fee and no parking charge.

Vehicles can enter James Gardens from Edenbridge Drive. The park is only ten minutes walk along Edenbridge Drive from Royal York 73 bus stop. Pedestrians and cyclists can travel through the park on the Tommy Thompson Trail.