HTO Park opens June 2007
The opening of HTO Park is an exciting step in the ongoing revitalization of Toronto's waterfront.
The name HTO represents the fundamental changes that will take place in the relationship between Toronto and its waterfront. HTO was created by a design team led by Janet Rosenberg + Associates Landscape Architects (Toronto) and Claude Cormier Architectes Paysagistes Inc. (Montreal), in partnership with the City of Toronto's Parks, Forestry & Recreation Division. The design is based on six elements or layers: ground planes, water, islands, expressive horticulture, lighting, and beach furniture.
News releases
History of the project
In July 2004, Mayor David Miller and Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, Chair, Harbourfront Parks Steering Committee unveiled a new sign on Maple Leaf Quay West that identifies the future site of HTO - a remarkable design initiative on Toronto's waterfront featuring two new parks on Maple Leaf Quay East & West.
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| Mayor David Miller and Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, Chair Harbourfront Parks Steering Committee say a few words to the community. |
Following the sign dedication, approximately 100 members of both the business and residential community attended an HTO Community Open House that was hosted at Fire Hall Station #334, on Queen's Quay Boulevard.
| It was during the Open House when the community was able to view and comment on plans for the park and meet the multi-discipline project team. The weather was glorious and it was a great opportunity to mix and mingle with neighbours and share in the excitement of the new development. |
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| Community Open House attendees discuss the plans. |
Over a decade ago, approximately 16 hectares (40 acres) of land within Toronto's Harbourfront was designated for public parks, waters-edge promenade, and school/community centre uses. Since that time, several of the park sites have been developed, the most recent being the development of the Music Garden, a 0.8 hectare (2.0 acres) oasis which was inspired by the pictorial element in Johann Sebastian Bach's Suites for Unaccompanied Cello.
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| Mayor David Miller and Harbourfront resident, John Bessai, official photographer. |
At the end of June 2003, Toronto City Council approved a conceptual design for Phase I of the Harbourfront Parks and Open Space System. Phase I will focus on Maple Leaf Quay East, Maple Leaf Quay West, and their related slips. Together these parcels of land total approximately 1.7 hectares (4.2 acres). They will essentially connect Harbourfront Centre with the Spadina Quay Wetland and the Music Garden. Prior to development, and as part of the detailed design, there will be additional public consultation. Construction is expected to begin in 2004 and be completed in 2005.
The winning design team for Phase I consists of Janet Rosenberg & Associates Landscape Architects of Toronto and Claude Cormier Architectes Paysagistes Inc. of Montreal. Together they have created a design known as HTO. The name represents the fundamental changes that will take place in the relationship between Toronto and the waterfront.
According to Janet Rosenberg, "HTO envisages a dynamic zone between the city and the water, a place that synthesizes the best qualities from the urbanity to the north, and the islands to the south. The master plan creates a diverse and animated waterfront meeting place."
The design is subject to some modifications based on further public consultation and detailed design work.
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Find out about the design selection process.
Design Finalist Backgrounder
Find out about the Rosenberg/Cormier winning design
The completion of the Harbourfront Parks and Open Space System is one of the first steps on the City's road to waterfront renewal and is central to achieving the principles on which Toronto's waterfront revitalization strategy is based. With this comes the opportunity to demonstrate Toronto's commitment to the creation of a comprehensive park system, integrating excellence in landscape architecture, architecture, urban design, community development, environmental awareness, technology, culture and the arts.
