Grandview Park

Commercial’s alfresco neighborhood hub is named after its smashing views: to the north are the looming mountains of the North Shore, while to the west you’ll have a great cityscape vista of twinkling towers.

Grandview isn’t just about good looks, however. Undergoing a refurb on our visit, this narrow band of sun-baked grass and busy playgrounds has a surprising amount of history. It originally housed the drill hall of the local Irish Fusiliers and is now home to a slender granite war memorial. Wreaths are still laid here on Remembrance Day. The rest of the year, you’ll find buskers, impromptu garage sales and a waft or two of illicit substances.