Stroll through the history of Humewood Park — St. Clair West Oral History Project

West entrance of Humewood Park (Photo by Michael van Leur, 2021)

During these days of soft warm light with deep shadows created by the generous canopy of trees, the days of summer call to us and for a moment the noise of COVID is hushed. Rita and I take my dog, Ginger, for a lazy walk along the winding paths of Humewood Park— paths often filled with children practising their first steps while others bomb by on their new bikes, the breezes carrying their excited voices over the berms and through the playground.

Humewood Park walkway (Photo by Michael van Leur, 2021)

Rita and I slow our pace, and for a moment, we can almost hear our neighbours’ voices from the past; strong and persistent. In November of 1964, 200 ratepayers attended a meeting at Humewood School to raise their concerns regarding a proposal to build two 20-storey apartment buildings between Humewood Drive and Pinewood Avenue. Developers had quietly acquired nine homes on Humewood and seven on Pinewood planning to demolish them and construct the two apartment buildings in their place. But nine years later, in 1973 after years of community objections, the developers pulled out and the Borough of York purchased these properties from them for $960,000. A number of the houses were demolished to make way for the creation of Humewood Park while others were renovated and eventually sold by the Borough for private residences. You can find out more about this development in our interview with Mary B.

We stop to read a few personal dedications posted at the bottom of commemorative trees and benches. Ginger veers off the path and we climb the central berm and find ourselves at the very top where settled together is a great boulder and a simple bench, both dedicated to beloved neighbours, George and Mona Luscombe, who were a driving force in the fight against the developers. We talk more about the Luscombes in our interview with Stephen Endicott .

The Luscombe bench in Humewood Park (Photo by Michael van Leur, 2021)

Detail of the dedication on the Luscombe bench (Photo by Michael van Leur, 2021)

We’ve finished our circuit through the park and stop, pausing for a moment to look up, acknowledging the grand old elm tree on the corner of Humewood Drive and Humewood Gardens, once part of the original William Hume Blake estate (Humewood). Surviving the devastating Dutch Elm Disease, its broad trunk, and great height, over 27 metres, are markers of the passing of time. Cables now support its branches, a reminder of the community’s activism to save this 200 year old tree.

The Toronto Star also wrote an article about our beautiful elm, which you can read here.

200 year old elm tree on the corner of Humewood Drive and Humewood Gardens (Photo by Michael van Leur, 2021)

Heritage plaque, William Hume Blake (Photo by Michael van Leur, 2021)

Our interview with Lois Adler is a lovely stroll through time in Humewood Park, as she recalls her childhood growing up at 24 Humewood Drive, attending Humewood Public School, and playing in the grounds of Humewood House.

Lois Adler's Mother, Hilda and her Sister, Sarah hugging the great old elm tree in Humewood Park.

West side of Humewood House. Photo by Frank Lennon, 1972 (TPL/Toronto Star Photo Archive tspa_0113807f)

Rita and I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief glimpse into the history of Humewood Park and encourage you to listen to the interviews where you will find more wonderful stories of the park and our community.

By Rita Nelson & Raylea Lambert