Friends of Guild Park is the winner of Heritage Toronto's 2019 Members' Choice Award which recognizes the volunteer group's ongoing work to "preserve and interpret Toronto's heritage."
The award came at the 45th Annual Heritage Toronto Awards Ceremony held on Oct. 28, 2019.
Friends of Guild Park was also singled out by the Heritage Toronto jury winning an Honourable Mention in the Community Heritage Award category.
Friends of Guild Park President John Mason said these awards are important for two reasons.
"They show that significant heritage sites and stories are found all across our city. Also, the awards show that volunteers play a major role in keeping these stories and places alive."
This year, Heritage Toronto evaluated 40 nominations in four categories. The charitable organization presents awards each year to showcase the valuable role heritage plays in community and city building.
Guild Park had a strong presence at last night's ceremony and was associated with two other nominations.
The Lost & Found exhibition at the Campbell House Museum was nominated in the Public History category.
This interpretive display includes architectural remnants preserved for decades at Guild Park. The fragments, salvaged from Toronto buildings demolished in the 1960s and '70s, are now back on public view near their original locations.
The restoration of Stanley Barracks Gates, built in 1957 near Guild Park, was nominated in the William Greer Built Heritage Award category.
This gateway, located at Guildwood Parkway and Kingston Road, marks the entrance to the old Guild Inn and the then-new Guildwood Village. The gates were originally part of Fort York in the 1800s. The City of Toronto last year hired a team of professionals to restore the stone, metal and lanterns. (Facebook/guildpark)