As spring returns, parks in around Toronto will soon come alive again with flowers, greenery, and the beloved cherry blossoms which attract visitors from near and far every late-April and early May.
Just outside Toronto, Mississauga’s Kariya Park is a lesser-known hidden gem to see the delicate blooms, tucked away just steps away from Square One Shopping Centre.
Opened in 1992, the Japanese-style garden was named after Kariya City in Japan, Mississauga’s sister city since 1981. As soon as you enter the park, you’ll come across a commemorative plaque which honours the friendship between the two cities, as well as a mosaic which depicts the Mando Matsuri, an annual Japanese festival.
Inspired by traditional Japanese garden aesthetics, the park features a koi pond, pavilion, decorative bridges, and authentic sculptures which were gifted from Kariya City. There’s also a serene cascade waterfall, hard-carved stone tsukabai basin, duck pond, and Friendship Bell within the pavilion, which is rung on ceremonial occasions.
Meanwhile in Kariya, Japan, they have a Mississauga Park which showcases Canadian motifs, like a maple leaf installation and Indigenous petroglyph carvings.
Kariya Park is home to roughly 80 cherry blossom trees of varying varieties and hues, and during peak bloom, transforms into a magical pink wonderland. As the bloom period is short, only lasting between 7 to 10 days, you’ll want to time your visit accordingly and keep an eye on the forecast.
Besides cherry blossoms, the park also boasts rhododendrons, sweetgum trees, overhanging red Japanese maple, and marsh with Japanese irises and other water-loving plants, creating an incredibly tranquil escape. It is also much quieter than cherry blossom hotspots in the city like Trinity Bellwoods and High Park.
If you’re hoping to see the cherry blossoms this spring, they are expected to be in full bloom between May 1 – 9, depending on weather conditions. The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and located at 3620 Kariya Dr in Mississauga.