The park is named after the song "The Maple Leaf Forever" composed by Alexander Muir.

He was inspired to write the song when he saw a leaf fall from the silver maple tree standing in front of the cottage.

[4] Unlike local residents, historians are skeptical that the 150-year-old tree at Maple Cottage was the inspiration for Muir's song.

"[4] Elliott casts doubt that Muir ever lived at Maple Cottage citing John Ross Robertson's 1914 book Landmarks of Toronto which details Muir's residences from the age of three to his death but makes no mention of 62 Laing Street.

[5] Also, according to the Toronto Historical Board, the cottage was built in 1873 – 6 years after the song was composed in October 1867.