Grange Park was originally the front lawn and garden of the Grange, a manor house built in 1820 by the Boulton family, an influential family in 19th century Toronto. In 1910, Harriet Boulton bequeathed her estate to the Art Museum of Toronto which included the Grange, and the surrounding property. On January 20, 1911, the Art Museum of Toronto reached an agreement with the City of Toronto, where the city would maintain the grounds south of The Grange as a municipal public park. The agreement continues to be in force, with the art museum remaining as the property's owner, and the Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division maintains the grounds as a municipal park. In the mid-1970s, Grange Park was expanded to its present-day size by closing portions of two streets: Grange Road from Beverley Street to John Street, and John Street between Grange Road to Stephanie Street. In 2008, the Grange Park Advisory Committee was formed to join local residents, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the City of Toronto, and neighbouring organizations to start the Grange Park Revitalization Project with the goal of renovating Grange Park and restoring it to its natural beauty. By 2009, GPAC produced a design brief. GPAC is a 15-person Committee whose role is to advise on the restoration and revitalization of Grange Park and on an oversight structure for the ongoing maintenance and program for Grange Park. By that time, Grange Park had deteriorated because of restrictions in City funding resulting in uneven pathways, dilapidated benches and playground equipment, many areas of bare ground and poorly maintained trees. On July 10, 2017, after a cost of $15 million and 15 months of construction, a renovated Grange Park officially reopened with many improvements such as expansion of the children's play area, 80 news trees, expanded lawn area, an off-leash dog area, new public washrooms, new water features and new seating areas. As part of the renovation, the Henry Moore sculpture Large Two Formspark was moved from the corner of Dundas and McCaul streets to become the centrepiece of the park. The park was designed by PFS Studio with Thinc Design as executive architects. The AGO, the City of Toronto, the Weston Family, and various community groups jointly fininanced the renovation. There is also an endowment fund to support the park's long-term maintenance. In February 2017, the Grange Community Association requested that the portion of John Street from Queen street West to Stephanie Street be given the ceremonial name of "Harriet Boulton Smith Way" in honour of the person who bequeathed the Grange estate to become Grange Park and the Art Gallery of Ontario. That portion of John Street was once part of the Grange estate.
