The Hummingbird Circle is an open space outdoor gathering area situated in northern part of the Park near parking lots, the Discovery Centre, and washrooms.
Why is it called the Hummingbird Circle? The aim is to create a hummingbird-friendly space that will attract these pollinating birds to the area. Through our volunteer program, we removed invasive species such as garlic mustard, Dog strangling vine and thistle. Moreover, we planted 639 trees, shrubs and flowers in this space! Some hummingbird-specific species planted include Blue Wild Indigo, Foxglove Beardtongue, and Great Blue Lobelia.
This sign marks the start of the Park’s hummingbird area, a gathering place for humans and hummingbirds. Plants and animals are essential to this gathering. The plants of the hummingbird sign feature flowers that give hummingbirds nectar or host insects that the hummingbird hunts for. The plants in this sign are cliff adapted, they have all evolved to survive Toronto’s hottest and dries spots. Buildings, and in this case signs, are cliffs!
Did you know hummingbirds sleep in a hibernation state called torpor every night? Torpor allows them to lower their body functions (i.e., body temperature, heart rate, breathing) at night so that they can conserve energy to fly around during the day to find food. Their body temperature can drop almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit, heartbeat slowing down from 500 beats per minute to less than 50, and breathing can stop momentarily.
Yasaman Mehrsa is an Iranian-Canadian visual artist with a focus on public art currently residing in Toronto, Canada. She has worked on various public art projects for organizations and communities inside and outside Canada. Proficient in digital and traditional mediums, Yasaman engages in diverse artistic endeavours, encompassing painting, illustration, murals, and community art.
Yasaman's artistic style is characterized by illustration, with a profound emphasis on storytelling and a keen exploration of various aspects of life and the human experience within a natural setting.
Social Media: @YYasist
Website: https://www.yasamanmehrsa.com/
Description of the design:
Yasaman's design for the Hummingbird Circle at Downsview Park turns the stage into a magical place celebrating nature's beauty and calmness. The artwork combines elements of the natural world, like a graceful damselfly, swift swallows flying, and vibrant sunflowers blooming under the sky. A central hummingbird delicately hovers amid a backdrop of wide skies, reflective waters, and the gentle glow of the sun, moon, and stars. This enchanting artwork invites visitors to enjoy performances and events in a space where art and nature harmoniously come together.
Booking is easy – fill out our form and we’ll go from there.
Book the Hummingbird Circle
The Hummingbird Circle is located just south of the Play Zone. See map on how to get there.
There are 5 species of flowers in the Hummingbird Circle to attract these nectar-loving birds: Blue Wild Indigo (Asclepias tuberosa and Baptisia australis), Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana), Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis), and Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica).
The area is approximately 425 square metre (4,576 square feet).
The capacity for exclusive access of the Hummingbird Circle is 60 people.
The cost for booking exclusive access to the space is $500.
The Hummingbird Circle can be booked from 9am and 6pm.
Bookings must be made a minimum of 2 weeks in advance.
The closest washroom is by the Play Zone and 70 Canuck Avenue parking lot area.
To get to the Hummingbird Circle, the paved Circuit Path is accessible. Once you are at the entrance of the space, there is a slightly narrow grassed path with an incline into the grassed space.
No equipment is provided. Individuals are welcome to bring their own tables and chairs.
No. Tents and any form of staking are strictly prohibited.
No, BBQ within the Hummingbird Circle is strictly prohibited. BBQ are only allowed in wide open areas not surrounded by ecologically sensitive plants.
It depends. Please fill out our booking form with more details about your planned gathering and we will go from there.
Yes, we require commercial general liability insurance. The coverage amount will be determined by the type of event that is held.
The event space does not have access to power but may in the future.
Yes, however, you will require commercial general liability insurance, a permit and the associated fee. Please fill out the form and select permits.
Fitness classes (permit required)
School programs
