Edwards Gardens, a picturesque landscape in the Wilket Creek valley, is one of three formal gardens in Metro's regional park system. Alexander Milne, a Scottish weaver, and his family settled here after the War of 1812. He began a milling operation and eventually obtained a land title by 1827. Rupert E. Edwards purchased the original Milne lot in 1944 as the site for a country home. Sadly neglected during a series of ownership changes, the valley was little more than a wild tangle of weeds. In 1955, the property was sold to Metropolitan Toronto, who in turn leased it to North York Township for maintenance. Edwards Gardens officially opened in June 1956.