Standing in the middle of Grange Park, my city’s grand expression is revealed through illuminated shapes of colour. This urban oasis is an important intersection of Toronto the bold, majestic and noble.

Just west is China Town, the most prominent example of our lattice of ethnic neighbourhoods that make Toronto a true marvel. Indeed the park’s Henry Moore sculpture of two embracing forms, perfectly illustrates our proud multi-cultural harmony.

Looking east, a massive protruding checkerboard is somehow supported on high by a series of multi-coloured pillars falling at different angles. Constructed in 2004, this newest wing of the Ontario College of Art and Design received accolades for both its engineering and innovation.

The heritage of Grange Park sits just to my north on what was once the Boulton family manor. It’s now part of the Art Gallery of Ontario.

My southern view is this evening’s display from the CN Tower, tonight it’s outlined in green and purple lights. This former world’s highest building serves as an exclamation point of Toronto literally and figuratively growing up on the international scene.

Grange Park attracts people in the summer with a Frisbee or slackline, and in winter finding cozy hiding places amid the art studio-themed playground. Go there and take a deep breath.

What’s Spot On:
• 14 stone inscriptions including one from urbanist Jane Jacobs: “We and our cities, just by virtue of being, are a legitimate part of nature.”
• Another one by Tomson Highway reads: “In Cree, trees are “who,” not “what”.