Christie Pits

Geography and Park Features

Christie Pits is situated just west of the Christie subway station, with its main entrance at the intersection of Bloor Street West and Christie Street. The park's most distinctive geographical feature is its deeply excavated landscape, a remnant of its past as a sand pit, which creates steep, grassy slopes well below the surrounding street level. These slopes are popular in winter for tobogganing and provide natural seating on the hillsides for spectators during summer sporting events. The park's 8.9 hectares are roughly divided between open, grassed picnic areas and a comprehensive array of sports facilities designed for year-round use, and the buried history of the site includes Garrison Creek, which was converted into a storm sewer at the turn of the 20th century and still runs underground. The park's official name, Willowvale Park, was designated when the land was converted from an industrial site to a public space but failed to gain common usage, so for decades locals referred to it by its historical name, Christie Pits, derived from the Christie Street sand pits, and this name was formally adopted by the city in 1983. The street itself was named for Christy MacDougall, the wife of area landowner Peter MacDougall, with records showing the name in use as early as 1835.

Sports Facilities and Dominico Field

The park is a premier destination for amateur and semi-professional sports in Toronto, featuring facilities for baseball, soccer, rugby, football, basketball, and swimming. The centrepiece of the sporting complex is Dominico Field, the main baseball diamond located in the northeast corner of the park. This full-sized, fenced field features limited bench seating along the first and third base lines, with most spectators watching from the surrounding grassy hillsides, and a wooden broadcast booth is perched at the top of the northeast corner. While there are no dedicated change rooms, players utilize washrooms located near a concession stand beyond centre field, and on February 2, 2010, the city announced that the main ballpark would be named Dominico Field in honour of Jack and Lynne Dominico, the longtime owners of the Intercounty Baseball League's Toronto Maple Leafs. An official naming ceremony was held during a Maple Leafs home game on May 9, 2010, and the field serves as the home diamond for the Toronto Maple Leafs and also hosts games for the High Park Juniors of the Toronto Baseball Association and local high school teams. Beyond Dominico Field, the park's athletic infrastructure includes two additional baseball diamonds, a multi-purpose field for soccer, rugby, and football, and several basketball courts.

• Dominico Field: Main baseball diamond, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs (IBL).
• Alex Duff Memorial Outdoor Pool: A public swimming facility within the park.
• Soccer/Rugby/Football Field: A multi-use grass field for various sports.
• Basketball Courts: Hard-surface courts for community use.
• Outdoor Ice Rink and Splash Pad: Located at 779 Crawford Street on the park's west edge for winter skating and summer water play.

The 1933 Christie Pits Riot

On the evening of August 16, 1933, Christie Pits was the site of a violent six-hour communal riot, one of the largest in Toronto's history. The conflict erupted around a baseball game between amateur teams, one of which was predominantly Jewish, and tensions had been rising after a swastika was displayed at a game two nights prior, and police warnings of potential trouble were disregarded. Following the second game, members of a group known as the Pit Gang or Swastika Club unfurled a blanket bearing a large painted swastika and chanted 'Heil Hitler', and this provocation was met with immediate resistance from Jewish youths and others at the game, quickly drawing hundreds of supporters from the surrounding streets into a massive brawl. The Toronto Daily Star reported a crowd of over 10,000 surging through the park and adjacent streets, with many injured by fists, clubs, and other weapons, and the newspaper described it as 'one of the worst free-for-alls ever seen in the city,' noting the intense racial feeling and the involvement of both combatants and non-combatant spectators. The riot involved not only Jewish participants but also Italians and Ukrainians who joined in opposition to the anti-Semitic displays, and in August 2008, on the 75th anniversary of the event, Heritage Toronto installed a historical plaque at the park to commemorate the riot and its significance in the city's social history.

Community and Cultural Events

Beyond its athletic functions, Christie Pits is a venue for community gatherings and cultural programming. The Friends of Christie Pits Park, a community advocacy group formed in August 2007, plays an active role in organizing events and representing the park's interests, and a major annual cultural event is the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS), which uses the park's natural amphitheatre for free public film screenings. In 2026, TOPS held its Opening Weekend at Christie Pits from June 26 to 28, featuring a curated programme of international films tied to the FIFA World Cup host countries, and the programme included the Canadian film 'Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie' from 2025, the American comedy 'One of Them Days' from 2025, and the Mexican coming-of-age story 'Güeros' from 2014. These screenings, which begin at sundown and encourage attendees to bring blankets and chairs, exemplify the park's role as a democratic cultural space, and the park also serves as a gathering point for major sporting events, having been listed as a location for community watch parties during the FIFA World Cup 2026 matches held in Toronto from June 12 to July 2, 2026.

Park Usage and Accessibility

Christie Pits Park operates as a fully accessible public space open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with extended hours for special events. Its location directly across from the Christie subway station makes it highly accessible by Toronto Transit Commission services, while limited street parking is available in the surrounding residential neighbourhood. The park's design accommodates a wide range of activities, from casual picnicking on its grassy terraces to organized league play on its professional-grade diamonds and fields, and the sloped sides of the former pits are a defining feature for recreational use, providing one of the city's popular informal toboggan hills in winter. The Alex Duff Memorial Pool offers seasonal swimming, and the adjacent splash pad provides cooling relief for children during summer months, and the combination of historical significance, central location, and diverse amenities ensures Christie Pits remains a perennially busy and well-used landmark for Torontonians of all ages.

Questions about Christie Pits

Where is Christie Pits Park located?

Christie Pits Park is located at 750 Bloor Street West in Toronto, at the intersection of Bloor Street and Christie Street. It is situated directly across from the Christie subway station, providing easy access via public transit. The park's official address places it in the neighbourhood often referred to as the Christie Pits area. Its central location makes it a convenient recreational destination for residents across the city.

Why is the baseball field called Dominico Field?

The main baseball diamond at Christie Pits was officially named Dominico Field on February 2, 2010, in honour of Jack and Lynne Dominico. The Dominicos were the longtime owners of the Intercounty Baseball League's Toronto Maple Leafs, the team that calls the field home. A formal ceremony to dedicate the name was held during a Maple Leafs home game on May 9, 2010. The naming recognizes their enduring contribution to baseball at this historic Toronto venue.

What happened at the Christie Pits riot in 1933?

On August 16, 1933, a major riot erupted at Christie Pits following a baseball game. The violence was sparked when a group known as the Pit Gang displayed a blanket with a swastika and chanted Nazi slogans, targeting a team with Jewish players. This led to a six-hour clash involving thousands of people, with many injured. The event, a significant episode of anti-Semitic violence in Toronto, is commemorated by a Heritage Toronto plaque installed at the park in 2008.

What sports can you play at Christie Pits?

Christie Pits offers facilities for a wide variety of sports. The park features three baseball diamonds, including the fenced Dominico Field. It also has a multi-purpose field used for soccer, rugby, and football, along with several basketball courts. Seasonal amenities include the Alex Duff Memorial Outdoor Pool, a splash pad, and an outdoor ice rink for skating in winter. The grassy slopes are also used informally for tobogganing during snowy months.

Are there free events at Christie Pits Park?

Yes, Christie Pits hosts several free public events throughout the year. A prominent example is the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS), which presents free open-air film screenings in the summer, such as its Opening Weekend in June 2026. The park is also a site for community gatherings, like FIFA World Cup watch parties. Most park amenities, including the sports fields, playgrounds, and toboggan hills, are freely accessible to the public during operating hours.

What is the Friends of Christie Pits Park group?

The Friends of Christie Pits Park is a community advocacy group formed in August 2007. The organization is active in planning and promoting events held within the park and serves as a voice for the park's maintenance and improvement needs. They work to engage the local community and ensure the park remains a well-used and cared-for public asset. Their efforts support the park's dual roles as a sports hub and a cultural gathering place.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-25.