Earl Bales Park is named after Robert Earl Bales a former Reeve (Mayor) of the Township of North York. This park is situated on lands once owned and farmed by his great-grandfather John Bales. In the early 1900's, after a century as a farm, the land was turned into the York Downs Golf and Country Club. You can still see a few of the old tees and greens as you wander through the park today. This park is also home to one of the two Ski & Snowboard Centres run by the City of Toronto. Recent upgrades to the ski chalet and an addition of a quad chair lift have made for a more enjoyable skiing and snowboarding experience on the hills. Earl Bales is also home to a Dogs Off-Leash Area, playground, picnic sites and fire pits.