Right here at Little Norway Park, history whispers on the breeze. Little Norway Park is a green space with a powerful story.
Little Norway Park got its name from a Royal Norwegian Air Force training base. During the Second World War, this area was Little Norway. Norway was attacked in 1940. The King and government officials fled. They wanted to fight for their freedom. Negotiations with Great Britain led to a camp near Toronto’s Island Airport. Norwegians and Canadian volunteers trained here. They fought alongside British forces between 1940 and 1945. Over 2000 people trained here.
After the war, the Norwegians gifted a plaque to the base. You can still see it today. In 1976, Crown Prince Harald of Norway unveiled a 3000-pound boulder from Norway. It was a permanent monument. In the 1980s, the base transformed. An apartment complex went up on the west side. The rest became the Little Norway Park. It officially opened in 1986. King Olav V of Norway dedicated it on November 20, 1987.
Today, Little Norway Park offers more than just history. It has a baseball diamond and a soccer pitch. A playground and wading pool offer fun for kids. Public washrooms and landscaped gardens provide comfort. Art installations add beauty. The northwest corner features a wheelchair-accessible children’s playground. Near Queens Quay West, you’ll spot a totem pole. The flagpole has a plaque describing the park’s significance.
Little Norway Park has sometimes served as a meeting place. In 2007, Aboriginal peoples gathered here to protest broken treaties. Plans for a dog park in 2009 stirred controversy. Residents worried about the proximity to children. They also noted another dog park was nearby.
Little Norway Park spans 2.36 hectares. It sits at the southwest corner of Bathurst Street and Queens Quay West. Little Norway Park lies just north of the Western Channel.
So, take a moment to appreciate Little Norway Park. It blends history with modern park amenities. Remember the brave men and women who trained here. Enjoy the green space. Little Norway Park offers something for everyone.