Riverdale Farm

If your kids think that eggs and milk come from the local grocery chain, then a trip to Riverdale Farm will not only be entertaining but very enlightening. This working farm, located in downtown Toronto on the Don Valley Ravine, spans seven and a half acres of scenic grounds which includes barns, ponds, vegetable gardens and of course lots and lots of animals!

Exploring the Barns and Buildings

Just inside the main entrance of the farm you will find the large pine and cedar Francey Barn, which houses the animals on its lower level. Tonnes of hay and straw are stored upstairs. The Francey Barn was originally built in 1858 for a Markham farm, and was moved to the Riverdale Farm and rebuilt in 1977 after it was donated by Mrs. Garnett Francey.

The Simpson House was named for Toronto architect Napier Simpson Jr. who designed the structure after the original Francey farmhouse. Located just to the left of the main gates, this Victorian-style farmhouse is surrounded by colourful annual gardens and beautifully landscaped perennial borders.

The Pig and Poultry Barn houses the farm’s chickens, pigs and smaller farm animals, and the Driveshed and Meeting House offer many programs and classes to the public. Also located onsite are the ruins of the Riverdale Zoo, Toronto’s first zoo which closed in 1974 after relocating to its present location in Scarborough.

Farmers at Work

Daily chores are an important part of farm life, and visitors can watch the farmers at the Riverdale Farm hard at work collecting eggs, grooming the horses and feeding the many animals including pigs, sheep goats and donkeys that call the barns home. Cow milking takes place every day at 10:30am, and the farm hands are happy to chat with visitors and answer questions.

Animals at the Farm

In addition to the barns that house the chickens, cows and horses, expect to see many other animals roaming the grounds and the outdoor paddocks such as ducks, geese, turkeys and rabbits. Your little ones will get a chance to get close enough to pet many of the animals!

Walk the Grounds

The scenic grounds at the Riverdale Farm are a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. Walk the trails that that wind around ponds through the wooded areas and admire the flower and vegetable gardens. You’ll likely catch a glimpse of some scurrying chipmunks or woodchucks and butterflies in the butterfly gardens!

Shopping at the Farm

Visitors can buy the fresh brown eggs collected at the Pig and Poultry Barn every day at the Farm Kitchen in the Simpson House. On Tuesday mornings, the Farm Kitchen also serves refreshments and fresh baked bread straight from the wood-fired brick oven. From May to October, the Farmers’ Market offers fresh produce every Tuesday straight from the Riverdale Farm’s gardens. The Shop at the Farm, located in the Simpson House, offers a wide variety of gifts such as books, preserves and paintings.

Fun at the Farm

The Riverdale Farm hosts a busy schedule of community and educational programs including recreational activities such as spinning and pottery classes, as well as many seasonal events. During the winter, spring and fall months, parents are welcome to bring their tots to the preschoolers' playroom in the Meeting House, which features books, games and fun farm toys. The Meeting House is also a popular venue for children’s birthday parties, as well as meeting and workshops.

Riverdale Farm

Riverdale Farm is located at 201 Winchester Street, three blocks east of Parliament Street and three blocks north of Gerrard Street East in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood of downtown Toronto. Parking is available along Winchester, Sumach and Carlton Streets.

The farm is open year round and admission is free. The Farm Kitchen and the Shop at the Farm are open to the public every day. Picnic tables are located on the grounds and public washrooms are situated in the Simpson House. Dogs and bicycles are not permitted on the farm, and feeding of the animals is prohibited.

For hours of operation and more information on farm program and events, call or visit their website.

Location: 201 Winchester Street (Cabbagetown neighbourhood), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Phone: (416) 392-6794
Email: farm@toronto.ca

Click here to visit Riverdale Farm official website