St. Andrew's Market and Playground
Encyclopedia
St. Andrew's Market and Playground is a small park in downtown Toronto. It is located at the northwest corner of Brant St and Adelaide St W.
It has recently been updated with a new playground with sand for children that is surrounded by a short fence. Landscaping improvements were also made, and a water fountain for pets, children, and adults (3 levels) was installed.
A plaque adorns the northwest corner describing the history and significance of the park. The plaque's information source is Heritage Toronto. This existing plaque was installed in 2007.
and the St. Patrick's Market. This Market was built in 1850 and eventually named "St. Andrew's" after its city ward. It served as an important commercial center for what was then Toronto's west end.
A fire in 1860 destroyed the first market buildings. They were replaced in 1873 by a larger St. Andrew's Hall and Market. The replaced buildings were designed in Renaissance Revival style. The building housed a police station, a community hall, a public library branch, sellers of fresh produce, and even butchers.
In the 1870s, St. Andrew's Market began to lose some of its relevancy as a commercial hub. In 1889, an impressive addition was added, however by 1900 the market stalls were mostly empty. The buildings were demolished in 1932. A Water Works building was established which can be seen there today on the north side.
The southern section of the Market was used as a public park since the 1880s. It became "St. Andrew's Playground" in 1909. It is a proud part of historical Toronto as noted on the Plaque, "...the first City of Toronto property dedicated to, and equipped for, supervised children's play."
It has recently been updated with a new playground with sand for children that is surrounded by a short fence. Landscaping improvements were also made, and a water fountain for pets, children, and adults (3 levels) was installed.
A plaque adorns the northwest corner describing the history and significance of the park. The plaque's information source is Heritage Toronto. This existing plaque was installed in 2007.
History
In 1837, this city block was set aside for a public market, the third of its kind after the St. Lawrence MarketSt. Lawrence Market
St. Lawrence Market is one of two major markets in Toronto, the other being Kensington Market.It features two buildings, both on the west side of Front St. East and Jarvis St. Each building holds different purposes:...
and the St. Patrick's Market. This Market was built in 1850 and eventually named "St. Andrew's" after its city ward. It served as an important commercial center for what was then Toronto's west end.
A fire in 1860 destroyed the first market buildings. They were replaced in 1873 by a larger St. Andrew's Hall and Market. The replaced buildings were designed in Renaissance Revival style. The building housed a police station, a community hall, a public library branch, sellers of fresh produce, and even butchers.
In the 1870s, St. Andrew's Market began to lose some of its relevancy as a commercial hub. In 1889, an impressive addition was added, however by 1900 the market stalls were mostly empty. The buildings were demolished in 1932. A Water Works building was established which can be seen there today on the north side.
The southern section of the Market was used as a public park since the 1880s. It became "St. Andrew's Playground" in 1909. It is a proud part of historical Toronto as noted on the Plaque, "...the first City of Toronto property dedicated to, and equipped for, supervised children's play."