Roncesvalles - Toronto

The village of Roncesvalles is a small communityimpromptu or within organized leagues) as well as
enclave located in the middle of the bustling citygood old open space for running and playing for
of Toronto. The neighbourhood has a populationchildren. Schools such as Garden Avenue also
made up of diverse ethnic roots, including one ofinclude prototypical road hockey facilities.
the largest concentrations of people with PolishOf course, the main attraction as far as parks in
backgrounds in the country. The neighbourhoodRoncesvalles is actually located a couple blocks
encompasses the areas on both sides ofwest of the neighbourhood proper. Boasting a
Roncesvalles Avenue, which runs north-southspectacular 161 hectares, High Park is the largest
from Lake Ontario.park in Toronto. The park has several kilometres
The community is proud to present the annualof hiking trails as well as a zoo, splash park,
Polish festival each fall. During the days of theplaygrounds, gardens, baseball diamonds and tennis
festival, the Avenue is closed to traffic andcourts.
festival goers can enjoy rides, games,Natural attractions of the park include the hillside
entertainers, and dancing all along the village's maingardens and the famous Grenadier Pond. The
corridor. The festival is an incredibly popular event,pond is home to several species of animals,
attracting tens of thousands of visitors each yearincluding small mammals and reptiles as well as
as numbers continue to grow. The 2006 festivalfish. In fact, the pond is open to angling and is
was heralded by the Polish consul as an excellenthome to several fishing derbies. The fish caught in
presentation of Polish culture and a spectacularthe pond are safe to eat and the fishing is an
celebration of the Polish community within Canada.incredible and rare find in the heart of any city.
As far as parks and recreation, those seekingThe neighbourhood of Roncesvalles is unique both
entertainment in Roncesvalles can take advantagewithin Toronto and in Canada. Easy access to
of the opportunities provided on the grounds offamous recreational spots as well as a strong
the several schools in the area. These groundscultural background make it an interesting place to
are ideal for games of softball or soccer (eitherlive or visit.