December 4, 1998
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services and Acting Managing
Director, Heritage Toronto.
Subject:Directional Signage Programme for Fort York (Trinity-Niagara - Ward 20)
Purpose
To seek Council support for the fabrication and installation of signage which directs residents
and visitors to Fort York and increases public awareness about the Fort.
Source of Funds
Funds to fabricate the new signs are available in the approved 1999 Heritage Toronto budget.
Recommendations
It is recommended that:
- Council endorse a directional signage programme to improve access to and increase the
visibility of Fort York.
- The Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, the Commissioner of
Urban Planning and Development Services, and Heritage Toronto develop an approach and
programme for a comprehensive attractions signage programme for the City and report
back to Council in the spring of 1999 on the programme.
Background:
Fort York is the birthplace of Toronto and is a nationally designated historic monument. It is
one of Toronto's most important historic sites and its collection of historic buildings includes
seven of Toronto's eight oldest buildings still on their original foundations. Fort York is cut
off from the city by the rail corridor, Gardiner Expressway and Bathurst Street bridge. It is
virtually invisible to the surrounding area and difficult to find. It deserves greater prominence
and improved access. Until Bremner Boulevard is extended west of Spadina Avenue, and west
of Bathurst Street as Fort York Boulevard, accessibility can be increased only by improved
signage.
Comments:
Fort York Pilot Signage Programme
In the spring of 1998, the Friends of Fort York and Garrison Common (FFY) approached
Urban Planning and Development Services and Heritage Toronto to develop an attractions
signage programme for Fort York. The objective of this signage initiative was to improve the
visibility and accessibility of Fort York. In order to test the programme in co-operation with
the Friends of Fort York and Garrison Common, Heritage Toronto and Urban Planning and
Development Services developed a pilot project of directional signage to direct visitors from
the downtown tourist areas to Fort York. Heritage Toronto proposes to erect 12 signs aimed
primarily at directing motorists to the fort. The sign prototype is shown below.
Heritage Toronto and Urban Planning and Development Services have consulted with staff in
the Department of Works and Emergency Services regarding the design, location and
production of the signs. Signs will be located on three routes from the downtown: along Front
Street and Bathurst Street; along Bremner Boulevard and Lake Shore Boulevard West; and
along Queens Quay West. All signs will be fabricated by Works and Emergency Services staff
at the City's Eastern Avenue facilities.
Broader Attractions Signage Programme
The Fort York pilot signage programme is a useful first step in looking at a broader attractions
signage programme for historic sites and attractions within the city. Toronto currently lacks a
co-ordinated programme of cultural, historic, entertainment and commercial attractions
signage. Planning staff have contacted National Capital Commission staff in the Ottawa-Hull
area who have recently developed an attractions signage programme for that area. The
programme is being implemented in three phases: phase one is directed at vehicular traffic
along City streets; phase two will be installed along highways in the area; and the third phase
is directed at pedestrians. All signage is part of the same design family but varies slightly to
respond to the vantage point of the visitor. Funding for the signage is provided by the various
attractions named by the programme.
City Works and Emergency Services staff are in the process of implementing attractions
signage along the Gardiner Expressway, including Fort York signage. Continuation of this
programme through a co-ordinated system of directional signage on city streets would have
clear benefits to the City and to its attractions. The Fort York project should be viewed as a
pilot for the development of a wider attractions signage programme which would be attractive,
cost effective and easy to use and understand by visitors and residents.
Conclusion
The directional signage pilot project for Fort York proposed by Heritage Toronto is an
important initiative which will help to increase the visibility of Fort York and should be
endorsed.
In order to address the broader need for a comprehensive attractions signage programme for
the city, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Services staff, in conjunction with
Urban Planning and Development Services, should develop an approach and programme for a
wider signage programme for submission to Council in the spring of 1999.
Contact Names: Ian Cooper Jo Ann Pynn
Telephone: (416)392-7572Telephone: (416) 392-6827 ex. 243
Fax: (416)392-1330Fax: (416) 392-6834
E-mail: icooper@city.toronto.on.ca.E-mail: info@toronto.history.on.ca
Beate Bowron, DirectorGeorge Waters,
Director, Community Planning, South DistrictActing Managing Director,
Heritage Toronto
[(p:\1998\ug\uds\pln\to981780)]-nbb
