Riverdale Farm
Canada·Farm·20th century
Riverdale Farm is a municipally operated farm located in the heart of Toronto's Cabbagetown neighborhood. It serves as a public educational space, specializing in pioneer breeds of farm animals that are less common on commercial farms, and is maintained by the Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division.
Key Facts
- ›Located in Cabbagetown, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- ›Operates on 3 hectares (7.4 acres) of land.
- ›Opened in 1978 on the former site of the Riverdale Zoo.
- ›Main barn was originally constructed in 1858 and moved to the site in 1977.
- ›Specializes in pioneer breeds of farm animals.
- ›Open to the public year-round.
About Riverdale Farm
Riverdale Farm is a municipally operated farm situated in the Cabbagetown neighborhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Spanning 3 hectares (7.4 acres), the farm is maintained by the Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division and is accessible to the public year-round. Its primary focus is on preserving and showcasing pioneer breeds of farm animals that are rarely encountered on contemporary commercial farms.
History and Establishment
The land Riverdale Farm now occupies has a history as a zoological site. Between 1888 and 1974, it was home to the Riverdale Zoo, which began with a donation of deer by Toronto Alderman Daniel Lamb. Following the zoo's relocation to a larger facility in Scarborough and its subsequent renaming as the Toronto Zoo in 1974, Riverdale Farm was established on the west bank of the Don River in 1978, adjacent to Riverdale Park. The farm's main barn, a significant historical structure, was originally constructed in 1858 in Markham and was moved to its current location and rebuilt in 1977.
Operations and Future
Riverdale Farm hosts a variety of common farm animals, including poultry, waterfowl, goats, sheep, pigs, cows, donkeys, and horses, all representing older or less common breeds. Despite facing a recommendation for closure in a 2011 consultant's report aimed at reducing city costs, the farm has received crucial financial support from various corporate and private donors. Notably, the W. Garfield Weston Foundation provided a CAD $25,000 donation in 2013, contributing to the farm's short-term operational funding. These substantial financial injections have been vital in ensuring Riverdale Farm can continue its operations for current and future generations, with plans extending through 2027.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Riverdale Farm?
Riverdale Farm is a municipally operated farm in Toronto, Canada, dedicated to showcasing pioneer breeds of farm animals. It is maintained by the Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division and is open to the public throughout the year.
What animals can I see at Riverdale Farm?
The farm houses a variety of animals including poultry, waterfowl, goats, sheep, pigs, cows, donkeys, and horses. It focuses on breeds that are typically hard to find on modern commercial farms.
When did Riverdale Farm open?
Riverdale Farm opened in 1978. It was established on the west bank of the Don River, on the former grounds of the Riverdale Zoo, which had relocated and become the Toronto Zoo in 1974.
What is the history of the land Riverdale Farm occupies?
This site was previously the location of the Riverdale Zoo from 1888 to 1974. The main barn on the farm was originally built in 1858 in Markham and was moved and rebuilt on the current site in 1977.
Is Riverdale Farm at risk of closing?
A 2011 report recommended closure to cut city costs, but subsequent corporate and private donations, including a significant contribution from the W. Garfield Weston Foundation in 2013, have helped ensure its operation through at least 2027.
Related Zoos
African Lion Safari
African Lion Safari is a privately owned safari park located in Southern Ontario, Canada, offering visitors a unique experience to see animals roam freely in large, contained reserves. The park is significant for its extensive game reserves and its dedicated breeding programs for numerous endangered and threatened species, particularly Asian elephants.
Assiniboine Park Zoo
Assiniboine Park Zoo, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is a 80-acre zoological facility established in 1904. Managed by the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, it is a significant institution accredited by the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, playing a role in wildlife conservation and public education.
Bowmanville Zoo
Bowmanville Zoo was a private zoo located in Clarington, Ontario, Canada, which operated from 1919 until its closure in 2016. At the time of its closing, it held the distinction of being the oldest private zoo in North America and was a significant supplier of animals to the U.S. film industry.