Playground opens at Maple Leaf Forever Park

Photo: Kathryn McLean

The famous Leslieville tree that was toppled in a summer windstorm in 2013 was the one that inspired Alexander Muir in 1867 to write “Maple Leaf Forever,” Canada’s almost-national anthem. The silver maple can now also add a playground to its legacy.

A revamp of the park near Queen and Leslie streets is now complete and it includes a brand-new playground for kids with slides, swings and structures to climb.

The park’s official address is 62 Laing St., accessed off Memory Lane — a little street that runs between Greenwood and Leslie, south of Queen Street East.

It’s also the site of Maple Cottage, one of the few remaining examples of Ontario cottage architecture style in the east end.