Garrison Creek Open Space Linkage Plan
(Trinity Niagara, Davenport, Downtown)
The Toronto Community Council recommends that:
(1)City Council approve the Garrison Creek Linkage Plan as a concept for a coordinated approach to civic
improvements at specific locations along the Garrison Creek alignment;
(2)Evaluation criteria for proposed civic improvement projects be determined, and that a coordinated 5, 10, and 15
year strategy be developed through public consultation process;
(3)City staff from Urban Planning and Development Services, Works and Emergency Services and Economic
Development, Culture and Tourism Services be requested to report through the City's budget and related processes
on requirements for funding, staff resource and outside resources to implement specific civic improvement
opportunities outlined in the Garrison Creek Linkage Plan on an annual capital basis;
(4)Any storm water initiatives that emerge from the Storm Water Management Demonstration Area Study be
carried out within a comprehensive open space design framework that is consistent with the objectives of the
Garrison Creek Linkage Project to ensure that the storm water initiative enhances the design and quality of the
open space projects;
(5)Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Services, in consultation with Urban Planning and Development
Services, Works and Emergency Services and the Citizens' Garrison Creek Linkage Project Advisory Committee,
determine the feasibility of implementing a series of comprehensive open space improvements through limited and
open competitions, to the following parks within the Garrison Creek Area: Stanley Park sequence, George Ben/
Fred Hamilton, Dufferin Grove, Trinity-Bellwoods, Montrose/Harbord/Bickford and Christie Pits;
(6)The City work with the Toronto District School Boards to identify and implement schoolyard improvement
projects which further the objectives of this plan; and
(7)The Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development, in conjunction with the Commissioners of Economic
Development, Culture and Tourism Services and Works and Emergency Services, report to the Urban Environment
and Development Committee on the viability of applying the Garrison Creek Linkage planning model to develop
other civic infrastructure, environmental, and open space plans for the new City of Toronto.
The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (August 31, 1998) from the Commissioner of Urban
Planning and Development Services:
Purpose:
The new City of Toronto's open space system consists of watersheds, ravines, Lake Ontario shoreline, streets and parks.
Taken together, this system is the foundation of a City-wide open space network which provides environmental and
amenity benefits, and knits together the former municipalities. Many of the parks, even though they appear not to have any
relationship to a larger natural order, are in fact often associated with lost creek systems. The Garrison Creek Linkage Plan,
as a project and a way of working, reestablishes the severed relationship between the natural system and our current system
of open spaces.
Garrison Creek, originating north of St. Clair Avenue and terminating at Fort York, was the largest ravine between the
Humber and Don Rivers. At the end of the 19th century, the creek was buried to facilitate settlement interests. As a result,
the watershed and the connected open space role of the creek ravine were lost. All that remains today are isolated parks
along the alignment of the former creek.
The Garrison Creek Linkage Plan builds upon a broad based community/City initiative that began in 1994 and has
successfully raised the public's awareness of the unique history and open space potential of this lost creek. The Plan
outlines a comprehensive civic improvement strategy that coordinates capital budget expenditures across municipal
departments in order to reinstate the open space linkage and reinterpret the environmental benefits of this former watershed.
These civic improvements are to be implemented over time, at specific locations along and/or in the vicinity of the former
Garrison Creek alignment. They will exist in, through, and along existing and new parks, public streets and lanes, and other
forms of open spaces in order to connect isolated public parks into a system that extends from the original headwaters north
of St. Clair Avenue to the lake. This open space strategy is a prototypical model which can be used in other locations to
realize a City-wide open space system founded on improving the quality of the City's neighbourhoods.
Source of Funds:
The civic improvement funding strategy will consist of the following: community and/or private sector sponsored projects;
private/public sector sponsored capital initiatives; and publicly sponsored capital initiatives. Selected plan projects are to be
identified and coordinated between departments and approved as part of the budget process on an annual basis. Therefore,
the implementation of the Garrison Creek Linkage Plan over the long term does not require special funding outside of
established budgetary practices. Rather, it promotes the flexible and careful allocation of municipal capital dollars by
ensuring that regular expenditures on individual parks/works/urban design infrastructure in this area also brings about a
connected and improved open space system. As a complement to the City's funding efforts, the community will continue to
raise funds and initiate projects which augment the City's efforts.
Recommendations:
(1)That City Council approve the Garrison Creek Linkage Plan as a concept for a coordinated approach to civic
improvements at specific locations along the Garrison Creek alignment.
(2)That evaluation criteria for proposed civic improvement projects be determined, and that a coordinated 5, 10, and 15
year strategy be developed through public consultation process.
(3)That City staff from Urban Planning and Development Services, Works and Emergency Services and Economic
Development, Culture and Tourism Services be requested to report through the City's budget and related processes on
requirements for funding, staff resource and outside resources to implement specific civic improvement opportunities
outlined in the Garrison Creek Linkage Plan on an annual capital basis.
(4)That any storm water initiatives that emerge from the Storm Water Management Demonstration Area Study be carried
out within a comprehensive open space design framework that is consistent with the objectives of the Garrison Creek
Linkage Project to ensure that the storm water initiative enhances the design and quality of the open space projects.
(5)That Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Services, in consultation with Urban Planning and Development
Services, Works and Emergency Services and the Citizens' Garrison Creek Linkage Project Advisory Committee,
determine the feasibility of implementing a series of comprehensive open space improvements through limited and open
competitions, to the following parks within the Garrison Creek Area: Stanley Park sequence, George Ben/ Fred Hamilton,
Dufferin Grove, Trinity-Bellwoods, Montrose/Harbord/Bickford and Christie Pits.
(6)That the City work with the Toronto District School Boards to identify and implement schoolyard improvement projects
which further the objectives of this plan.
(7)That the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be authorized to undertake a study on the feasibility of
uncovering the buried Garrison Creek bridges at Crawford and Dundas Street and Harbord Street west of Grace Street.
(8)That the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development, in conjunction with the Commissioners of Economic
Development, Culture and Tourism Services and Works and Emergency Services, report to the Urban Environment and
Development Committee on the viability of applying the Garrison Creek Linkage planning model to develop other civic
infrastructure, environmental, and open space plans for the new City of Toronto.
Council Reference/Background/History:
The City Council of the former City of Toronto, at its meeting on August 12 and 13, 1996, adopted Clause 18, contained in
Report No. 12 of the Neighbourhoods Committee, titled Garrison Creek Linkage Project. It authorized the formation of a
Working Committee, led by the then Urban Development Services, and made up of members of the Garrison Creek
Community Project, City Works Services, and Community Services, to prepare a comprehensive plan of civic
improvements to be implemented over time, at specific locations, in order to connect isolated public parks and open spaces
into a system that will connect neighbourhoods along the former Garrison Creek with Fort York and the Waterfront Trail. It
represented an important link in contributing to a City-wide system of routes and open spaces. The general boundaries, or
Area of Designated Interest, of the Garrison Creek Linkage Project are: to the north, St. Clair Avenue; to the west, Dufferin
Street and Strachan Avenue; to the east, Bathurst Street; to the south, Lake Ontario. The northerly boundary of the area will
be extended to include the headwaters of the creek.
Subsequently, City Council of the former City of Toronto, at its meeting of September 22 and 23, 1997 endorsed the Plan
objectives (set out in the Background section of Appendix A) with expectation that the detailed Garrison Creek Linkage
Plan would be submitted to Council at a later date.
By way of this report and the attached Appendix, the Garrison Creek Linkage Plan is submitted for endorsement.
Comments:
The Garrison Creek Linkage Plan has been developed as model of coordinated, integrated partnership between municipal
departments and community interest groups. It integrates land use, environmental, and infrastructure planning to their
mutual benefits. It joins together the services of public works, urban design, parks and recreation, to maximize their
positive impacts. The plan recognizes that public streets can be enhanced to function as green pedestrian routes connecting
isolated parks to create a system of public open space. It also recognizes that public parks are under tremendous pressure to
accommodate a broad range of uses, and that it is critical that new and existing parks be developed and renewed in a
coordinated manner to begin to meet this ever expanding public role.
The Garrison Creek Open Space Linkage Project developed a new set of open space planning tools, techniques and
approaches that facilitate the planning and implementation of community based, environmentally meaningful, open space
initiatives on a neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood basis. It can, in fact, serve as a model to effectively plan and coordinate
'enriched' civic projects across the new City.
The Garrison Creek Linkage Plan anticipates the careful allocation of limited municipal capital dollars by ensuring that
expenditures on works infrastructure also serve to assist in realizing a connected and improved open space system. The
civic improvement projects outlined along the length of the Garrison Creek Open Space System if proven feasible will be
implemented incrementally over time at the neighbourhood scale following a full consultation process.
The following maps and charts set out the proposed civic improvement projects within the Area of Designated Interest on a
sub-area basis.
Conclusions:
Currently, staff of Urban Planning and Development Services, Works and Emergency Services, Economic Development,
Culture and Tourism Services, members of the Garrison Creek Advisory Committee and various Ward Councillors are
working together to identify key projects set out in the body of this report for implementation over the next five years.
Contact:
Claire Ironside
Eric Pedersen
Tel: 416-392-1130
Fax: 416-392-1330
E-mail: epederse@city.toronto.on.ca
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Appendix 1
History:
Garrison Creek and the City; An Evolving Urban Pattern
Toronto is built on a sloping plateau that gradually rises northward from the shore of Lake Ontario to a geological landform
- the ancient shoreline of Lake Iroquois at Davenport Road. Fluted by many overland creeks, streams, rivers and ravines,
this sloping plateau provided the early settlement of York with a defensible, navigable natural site. As the City expanded
outwards from its original 10-block settlement, this same topography made for uneven development and many of its
smaller water systems were filled in. Today, many of these 'lost' streams may be detected through deviations in the city's
rectilinear street pattern.
At the time of the City's founding in 1792, Garrison Creek, named for the fort and garrison strategically located at its
mouth, could be travelled by canoe as far north as Bloor Street. During this period, the originating city site was bracketed to
the east by the Don River and to the west by Garrison Creek. Industrial and residential activity, located along the banks of
the creek polluted it to such a degree that, by the 1880's, for civic health reasons it was contained in a brick sewer. Forty
years later, during a period of economic downturn, many landowners living along the creek alignment divided and sold off
the ravine portion of their large estate lots for filling and new residential development. In an effort to preserve these lands
for the public's benefit, the City acted to acquire these properties. In the early 1950's, this effort was forestalled when the
City allowed publicly owned ravine lands to be filled and sold to private interests. Sections of the ravine were obliterated,
as was the landmark sequence of bridges. Some were removed completely and others were buried, as in the case of the
Harbord Street Bridge and the Crawford Street Bridge at Trinity Bellwoods Park.
Today, only isolated parks such as Stanley Park, Trinity Bellwoods Park, Roxton Road Parkette, Fred Hamilton Park,
George Ben Park, Dufferin Grove Park, Harbord Park, Bickford Park and Christie Pits exist on former ravine lands. The
location and character of these parks indicate to some degree the former alignment of the creek, while streets that deviate
from the grid such as Walnut Avenue, Niagara Street, Crawford/Montrose (north of College Street), Heydon Park Road,
Rusholme Park Crescent, Mt. Royal Avenue and Springmount Avenue also reflect the past presence of the creek. Other
types of open spaces along the alignment are worthy of note because of their location and overall frequency. These spaces
include schoolyards and commercial open space such as parking lots and industrial yards.
Similar to the planning of the road system, Toronto's early open space planning was carried out in an ad hoc fashion
influenced to a large degree by private interests. However, in spite of this, Toronto's undeniable natural order has
eventually served to define the city's open space character. Notwithstanding the degree to which the open space and
topography are now currently linked, the city's connection with its major natural features remains somewhat uneven.
Current civic improvement projects such as the Garrison Creek Linkage Project are indicative of a reoccurring desire to
extend the defining influence of the City's natural order.
Garrison Creek Linkage Project:
City Council of the former City of Toronto at its meeting held on August 12 and 13, 1996, adopted Clause 18, contained in
Report No. 12 of the Neighbourhoods Committee, titled Garrison Creek Linkage Project, which authorized the formation of
a Working Committee, led by Urban Development Services and comprised of members of the Garrison Creek Community
Project, City Works Services, and Community Services, to prepare a comprehensive plan of civic improvements to be
implemented over time, at specific locations along the Garrison Creek alignment. These civic improvements will exist in,
through, and along existing and new parks, public streets and lanes, and other forms of open spaces in order to connect
isolated public parks and open spaces into a system that will connect neighbourhoods along the former Garrison Creek with
Fort York and the Waterfront Trail. It represents an important link in contributing to a city-wide system of routes and open
spaces. The general boundaries, or Area of Designated Interest, of the Garrison Creek Linkage Project are: to the north St.
Clair Avenue; to the west, Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue; to the east, Bathurst Street; to the south, Lake Ontario.
The northerly boundary of the study area will be extended to include the headwaters of the creek at a later date.
Two types of civic improvement initiatives constitute the Garrison Creek Linkage Project, those that will extend east west
or north south into the neighbourhoods along the system. The majority of these initiatives will be physical in disposition;
however, short and long-term programmatic initiatives to be realized through community, academic, and governmental
efforts constitute part of the plan. In order to co-ordinate such an extensive project, a comprehensive civic improvement
plan within the Area of Designated Interest serves to constitute the basis of the Garrison Creek Linkage Project.
The Garrison Creek Linkage Plan preparation process, consists of the following four steps: Inventory, Analysis, Plan
Objectives and Related Proposals, and Implementation.
a)Inventory:
1.Creation of a Linked Two and Three Dimensional Mapping Composite
The Urban Development Services Department working with the Garrison Creek Linkage Committee, utilizing the City's
two-dimensional GIS system, has prepared an inventory of all relevant city information (location and description of:
underground utilities; open space topography; property data surveys, etc.) both mapped and tabular (property code
information, demographics, census information, etc.) to inform the preparation of the civic improvement proposals.
The University of Toronto's Centre for Landscape Research was retained to develop a three-dimensional computer model
of the Garrison Creek area using, in part, the City's two-dimensional GIS data. This interactive computer model portrays
the historic evolution of the Garrison Creek from a pristine ravine to its present state. This model accurately depicts the
topography of the Garrison area and has proven to be invaluable in testing the viability of proposed civic improvements. It
is the method by which the seminal nature of the Garrison Creek Linkage Plan will be communicated to the public.
b)Analysis:
For analysis purposes the Garrison Creek Linkage Project Area of Designated Interest has been divided into five sub-areas.
Area A: Bathurst Street to Strachan Avenue, Queen Street to the Lake, encompassing, the western end of Harbourfront, the
original mouth of Garrison Creek (Block 36 of the Railway Lands), Fort York, and Stanley Park
Area B: Bathurst Street to Ossington Avenue, Queen Street to College Street, encompassing Trinity Bellwoods Park,
George Ben and Fred Hamilton Park and the Dominion Store parking lot at College Street and Crawford Street
Area C: Ossington Avenue to Dufferin Street, Dundas Street West to Bloor Street encompassing Dufferin Grove Park
Area D: Bathurst Street to Ossington Avenue , College to Dupont Street, encompassing Montrose Schoolyard, Harbord
Park, Bickford Park and Christie Pits
Area E: Christie Street to Dufferin Street , Dupont Street to St. Clair Avenue, encompassing, the Hydro Corridor Park and
Hillcrest Park. As part of next steps Area E will be extended as far north as Rogers and Vaughan Roads to include the
headwaters of the creek.
Storm Water Management Project:
City Council at its meeting held on July 14 and 15, 1996, amended and adopted Clause 58, contained in Report No. 9 of the
City Services Committee titled, Progress Report of the Storm Water Group, and in doing so took the following action:
That approval be given to develop implementation plans for three demonstration projects to determine the feasibility of
applying various non-structural and natural system methods for Storm Water Management and CSO (combined sewer
overflow) control and demonstrate the potential reduction of storm water run-off and water pollution which can be achieved
through such methods.
A portion of the Garrison Creek Area of Designated Interest (Area B, C, and D) has been selected as a generic storm water
application test site for demonstration projects due to the potential of using the abundance of open space parklands and
school sites available as locations where natural storm water management techniques may be applied.
Storm water initiatives that emerge from the Storm Water Management Demonstration Area Study must be integrated
within a comprehensive open space design framework that is consistent with the objectives of the Garrison Creek Linkage
Project to ensure these initiatives enhance the design and quality of the open space projects. Through the application of an
integrated design approach proposed civic improvements will meet multiple environmental and community aspirations
simultaneously, thus fulfilling of the objectives of the Garrison Creek Linkage Project.
Public Consultation:
The Working Committee, using funds donated from an anonymous private foundation, retained a public consultation
facilitator to implement a community outreach program that has included five public meetings along the system. Resident
associations and the broader community were invited to discuss their views on the Linkage Project. This community
outreach process culminated in a two-night workshop on July 15th and 16th, 1997. This workshop focussed community
comment around the following five themes and related implementation considerations: Linkages and Connections, Urban
Ecology, Natural and Built Heritage, Quality and Richness of Neighbourhood Life, Working with the City and Defining
Sources of Funding. These themes were applied by the five community teams across the system as a whole and to their
assigned sub-areas with a goal toward identifying objectives and specific project proposals. The results of these meetings,
in part, are integrated into the plan objectives.
The plan objectives listed below were endorsed by City Council of the former City of Toronto at its meeting of September
22 and 23, 1997 when it approved the Garrison Creek Linkage Project Status Report.
c)Plan Objectives and Related Proposals:
1.Garrison Creek Linkage Plan civic improvement projects in the best possible instance are to be implemented as
interventions in the public realm that serve to meet more than one plan objective for every action taken.
2.Isolated parks and open spaces presently existing along the Garrison Creek alignment are to be linked to form an open
space system.
Related Proposals:
-Identify and implement a distinctive vocabulary of public amenity elements including plant selections, water features,
furniture and lighting for the open space system
-Privilege the north-south public open space system over the east-west vehicular system
-Implement two types of Linkage Plan initiatives, those that extend into the neighbourhoods within the Area of Designated
Interest and those that are directly associated with creating a continuous open space system
3.Restore, when appropriate, naturally occurring and constructed features of the Garrison Ravine.
Related Proposals:
-Excavate select bridges (Crawford and Harbord Street Bridge)
-Create and implement an indigenous planting scheme across the project area
-Protect and enhance the topography reflective of the former ravine condition
4.Integrate, when appropriate, storm water initiatives into the design of civic improvement projects to ensure the furthering
of the open space plan objectives.
Related Proposals:
-Implement specific park water features that increase park amenity and perform storm water management functions
-Identify priority laneways as pedestrian routes and sites for storm water infiltration
-Upgrade parking lots to allow for the incorporation of storm water management practices
-Upgrade public buildings and adjacent open spaces to meet the objectives of the city's down spout disconnection program
5.Rely upon the street system to provide perceptual and physical continuity of the overall plan when major breaks occur in
the actual open space sequence.
Related Proposals:
-Create or relocate pedestrian crosswalks, signalized intersections and transit stops
-Create bike routes along streets and lanes within the project area
-Narrow roadways, widen sidewalks, and design traffic calming initiatives to facilitate street scape improvements
-Upgrade street scape quality of traffic islands, underpasses, medians, and boulevards
6.Develop and institute programmatic initiatives to support the Linkage Plan.
Related Proposals:
-Incorporate Garrison Creek related activities into the City's recreational programming within the project area
-Incorporate the Garrison Creek Linkage Project into the City's Walking Tour program
-Prepare and provide information packages to interested schools for educational purposes
-Promote and support Garrison Creek-oriented community-based events and festivals
7.Upgrade, reconstruct, or construct existing and/or proposed public amenities -- streets and utility work, parks and
recreation facilities, in a way that serves to meet the objectives of the Garrison Creek Linkage Plan.
Related Proposals:
-All consultant terms of reference serve to contribute to the realization of the Garrison Creek Linkage Plan's goals when
applicable.
-All City departments are to work together and with the community and other agencies and boards to realize the
implementation of the Garrison Creek Linkage Plan's civic improvement projects
8.Increase or adjust the range of public amenity throughout the open space system in order to achieve a balance between
active recreation and other uses.
Related Proposals:
-Encourage multi-use of active recreational amenities
-Rationalize active recreational amenities within park settings and across the open space system as a whole
-Expand through the development of new parks or the renovation of existing parks the range of park uses to include those
that are presently non-existent or under-represented.
9.Identify for purchase over the long term, and intermediary improvement in the short term, the private properties aligned
with the Garrison Creek open space system which possess the potential to physically reinforce the system, i.e. parking lots,
redevelopment sites, private lots that adjoin public parks.
10.Identify for possible reuse over the long term, and intermediary improvement in the short term, public properties
aligned with the Garrison Creek open space system that possess the potential to physically reinforce the system: Block 36
of the Railway Lands; the former Refining and Smelting site at Bathurst and Front Streets; lands south of Wellington Street
between Strachan Avenue and Niagara Street; Toronto Parking Authority lot at Walnut Street and Adelaide Street;
Bickford Centre (north end of Bickford Park at Bloor Street); sections of the Hydro Corridor north of the Dupont Rail
Corridor and between Bathurst Street and Ossington Avenue; the road allowance on the west side of Springmount Avenue
north of the Springmount Steps; the Armoury parking lot and Gore Park on the west side of Strachan Avenue.
11.Construction of new private development within the Area of Designated Interest should serve when appropriate to
acknowledge and reinforce whenever possible the presence of the open space system.
Related Proposals:
-Orient built form to positively address the presence of parks within the Linkage Plan
-Implement Linkage Plan civic improvements in association with private development
-All new developments are to be encouraged to participate in the City's down spout disconnection Program
12.Afford the broadest range of public art opportunity along the system as a means of symbolically reinforcing the idea
and importance of Garrison Creek.
Related Proposals:
-Include when appropriate artists in all civic design initiatives that comprise the linkage project (park master plans,
building reconstruction)
-Identify a balance of public art opportunities across the system
13.Work to increase property owner's participation in the City's down spout disconnection and front-yard tree planting
program within the Linkage Plan Area.
Related Proposals:
-Use existing city down spout and tree planting mailings to communicate the added importance of participating in these
programs from a Garrison Linkage Project perspective
14.Formalize a working relationship between the City and the School Boards and any other related agencies that can assist
and participate in the renovation of schoolyards to better meet the objectives of this plan.
Related Proposals:
-Co-sponsored redesign and renovation of schoolyards in keeping with the objectives of the plan and the needs of the
schools
Comments:
The Garrison Creek Linkage Plan builds upon a broad based community/City initiative that began in 1994 and has
successfully raised the public's awareness of the unique history and open space potential of this lost creek. The Plan
outlines a comprehensive civic improvement strategy that co-ordinates capital budget expenditures across municipal
departments in order to reinstate the open space linkage and reinterpret the environmental benefits of this former watershed.
These civic improvements are to be implemented over time, at specific locations along and/or in the vicinity of the former
Garrison Creek alignment. They will exist in, through, and along existing and new parks, public streets and lanes, and other
forms of open spaces in order to connect isolated public parks into a system that extends from the original headwaters north
of St. Clair Avenue to the lake.
The civic improvement funding strategy to support the plan will consist of the following: community and/or private sector
sponsored projects; private/public sector sponsored capital initiatives; and publicly sponsored capital initiatives. Selected
plan projects are to be identified and coordinated between departments and approved as part of the budget process on an
annual basis.
The following projects have been described under the sub-areas where they are located. These projects, defined as either
places or routes, collectively constitute the Garrison Creek Linkage Plan.
Area A: Waterfront to Queen Street, Bathurst Street to Shaw Street/Strachan Avenue (See Map A)
Area A is located between the King-Spadina neighbourhood to the east and the Massey-Inglis lands to the west. From an
important historical perspective it is the initial site of strategic settlement and includes the Fort York Heritage District. Over
time it has been subject to a number of major transportation and industrial interventions. In the mid 1880's a rail corridor
was constructed on newly created land south of Front Street and in the 1950's the Gardiner Expressway was erected directly
south of Fort York. The end result is that this area is variably cris-crossed by major transportation corridors that disconnect
it from the lake and minimize its own internal continuity. Connections to areas north and south are solely sustained by
Bathurst Street and Strachan Avenue.
However, in spite of this, much of the land that exists between the major infrastructure corridors is publicly owned and that
which is privately owned is experiencing full scale renewal (mostly residential) i.e.) former Massey Ferguson lands, and the
Molson lands (Bathurst/Strachan). Due to these two distinctions this area possesses the greatest geographic and financial
potential to further the development of a continuous open space connection to the lake. Civic improvements ranging from
small to large scale infrastructure projects co-funded with the development sector will serve to meet some of the Garrison
Creek Linkage Project's objectives. It is therefore, critical that major redevelopment and infrastructure decisions be carried
out in a coordinated fashion to ensure that this occurs.
Area A Civic Improvement Opportunities: Places
Stanley Park Sequence (Stanley Park North and South, lands south of Wellington Street and the city owned parking lot
located at Richmond and Walnut Avenue)
The Stanley Park Sequence has a site area of approximately 7 acres. Comprised of three open spaces - two parks and one
parking lot, it extends in a north south direction from Wellington Street to Richmond Street and in a east west direction
from Walnut Avenue to Stanley Terrace. The most northerly component nearest Trinity Bellwoods Park, is a Toronto
Parking Authority Lot. Facing onto this lot from the south is a housing development. The middle section or Stanley Park
north, has a site area of 2.5 acres, accommodates a children's playground, and is primarily used for passive park uses.
Stanley Park south, the remaining part, is approximately 4.5 acres in size and accommodates a small outdoor pool, two
baseball diamonds, and a community centre along Walnut Street.
Further to the south lies a substantial amount of City owned land which can be utilized to extend the Stanley park sequence
to the northern edge of the west rail corridor (Georgetown line). The ease of implementing an efficiently engineered bridge
connection from this point of interface to Fort York is predicated on the relocation of this corridor. Should the rail
relocation not occur, this bridge connection will be required to pass over two rail corridors. If this proves to be the case, the
publicly owned wedge of land (former Cold Storage lands) located between the two rail corridors will function as a
'landing site' for the midpoint of the bridge span and in so doing provide an opportunity to interpret the cultural history of
the area in the design of this newly accessed public open space/amenity. The extension of Stanley Park southwards to Fort
York remains an important public objective for the development of the lands located south of Wellington Street.
If feasible a long range comprehensive civic improvement plan for the Stanley Park sequence needs to be developed which
addresses the following: extending Stanley Park south to Fort York; reusing the city owned parking lot as an urban open
space; enhancing the landscape feature of these park spaces (water integrated with children's play); and balancing
recreational uses across this sequence of the open space system.
Refiners and Smelters Site
The Refiners and Smelters site is located directly west of Bathurst Street and north of the rail corridor. The southern portion
of this site is required for the extension of Front Street. Due to the uncertainty regarding the Front Street Extension a
priority should be given to constructing a landscaped public walk along the south edge of these lands to connect Tecumseth
Street with Bathurst Street and the eastern entrance to Fort York. A landscape walk such as this will provide excellent
views across the rail corridor to the Fort.
Former Cold Storage Lands
The publicly owned wedge of land referred to as the former Cold Storage lands),defined by the two rail lines comprising
the rail corridor located between the Fort York Heritage District and the Niagara neighbourhood, will function as a 'landing
site' for the midpoint of the proposed bridge span. Given its unique location both geographically and culturally this site
provides the spatial opportunity to interpret the cultural history of the area in the design of this newly accessed public open
space/amenity.
Fort York Heritage District
There has been extensive planning work, supported by a citizen group known as the Friends of Fort York, which has
resulted in the development of plan vision for the lands surrounding Fort York. The key urban design objective for these
lands consisting of the fort, a tree nursery, the heritage cemetery and the Armoury Parking lot is to return it to a place of
prominence within the city. In this regard the extension of a new street (Fort York Boulevard) west of Bathurst street along
the base of the Fort will provide a clear address and improve accessibility to this important site and provide the opportunity
to create a storm water feature that references the historic shoreline. The removal of the tree nursery is proposed to free up
property for the landing of the bridge spanning the rail corridor. When development Block 36, situated at the confluence of
Garrison Creek and Lake Ontario, (a point immediately east of Bathurst Street), takes place, it must be done in a way that
the former presence of the mouth of the creek is preserved as part of a linked park connection between this site and Fort
York's historic shoreline/storm water management proposal. Finally, the Molson lands located between Bathurst Street and
Strachan Avenue provides for the creation of a link park that will connect Fort York to Lake Shore Boulevard, Gore Park
and Coronation Park.
Gore Park and Coronation Park
The waterfront parks system between Strachan Avenue and Bathurst Street consists of Gore Park and Coronation Park.
Gore Park, presently a parking lot should be redeveloped as a continuation of the Fort York Open space system.
Coronation Park accommodates the Martin Goodman Trail where the Garrison Creek Open Space System meets Lake
Ontario. A fitting end to the open space system would be the redesign of the water's edge dockwall to become an enriched
place for people and other living things to congregate.
Area A Civic Improvement Opportunities: Routes
Strachan Avenue
Strachan Avenue is an important north south link that connects Trinity Bellwoods Park to the waterfront. South of King
Street, Strachan Avenue is a four lane roadway that crosses the main north west (Georgetown) rail corridor at street level.
This crossing, consisting of 6 rail tracks, makes it extremely difficult for pedestrians and cyclists to safely use Strachan
Avenue as a link to the waterfront. One of the major benefits of the rail relocation proposal would be the elimination of this
at grade crossing.
The Strachan Avenue right-of-way south of King is substantially wider than Strachan Avenue north of King Street.
Therefore, the section of Strachan Avenue south of King Street should be narrowed to two lanes to accommodate bicycle
lanes and widened sidewalks.
Additionally the intersection of Strachan Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard in providing for the turning movements of
automobile poses a hazard to cyclists and pedestrians attempting to cross to Coronation Park. The rationalization of this
intersection should take place to provide for: a safer pedestrian crossing; a more dignified entrance to the Canadian
National Exhibition; and an enhanced open space condition at the southern extent of the open space system.
Walnut Avenue
In 1996 as part of the City of Toronto's Waterfront Trail Canada/Ontario Infrastructure Program, the road pavement of
Walnut Avenue was narrowed in order to create a widened landscaped sidewalk along the eastern edge of Stanley Park.
This project included the reconstruction and upgrading of the southeast entrance into Trinity Bellwoods Park at the north
end of Walnut Avenue at Queen Street. Additionally, this project connected Stanley Park to Trinity Bellwoods Park and
upgraded the Walnut Street frontage of the Toronto Parking Authority parking lot located at Richmond and Walnut Street.
Bathurst Street
Bathurst Street between Queen Street and Front Street has minimal sidewalks and is devoid of street tree planting. The
development and implementation of a comprehensive street scape plan and sidewalk widening for Bathurst Street from
Queen Street to Front Street should be undertaken to connect the Garrison Creek and King Spadina districts to the
waterfront and link the King-Spadina open space improvement initiative with the Garrison Creek open space initiative.
Shaw Street
Extending from King Street to Davenport Road Shaw Street is one of the system's most extensive north south routes in the
system, and can perform as one of the green streets linking the north end of the system to the south end. Therefore it should
be upgraded by widening sidewalks and implementing consistent street tree planting along its length.
Crawford Street
Similar to Shaw Street Crawford Street provides a good opportunity to connect the system in an extended north south
direction. As such this residential street should be upgraded by widening sidewalks and implementing consistent street tree
planting along its length whenever possible.
Wellington Street
Wellington Street is an important east west street that links the Garrison Creek area (Niagara
Neighbourhood) to the King Spadina Area and the downtown. This street should be reconfigure as a green street with
widened sidewalks and consistent street tree planting.
Stanley Terrace
Stanley Terrace defines the western edge of the Stanley Park sequence. Although it is technically a lane it should be
upgraded as a pedestrian link to incorporate a sidewalk along its eastern edge and permeable paving across its width (storm
water management techniques).
Niagara Street
Niagara Street, curving southward along the bank of Garrison Creek remained the western boundary of city expansion up
until the 1860's. At Tecumseth it turns eastward and terminates at Bathurst Street to link up with Fort York. In order to
reinforce the importance of Niagara Street as a north south link, sidewalk widening and street tree planting, should be
undertaken.
Area B: Queen to College Street, Bathurst to Ossington Street (See Map B)
This area encompasses the western and northerly fork of the Garrison Creek's former tributaries. Given this pivotal role it's
corresponding open space priority is to provide connections in three directions (west, north, and south). As well, this area
possesses the greatest number of main streets namely College, Dundas, and Queen Street and is favourably traversed by
numerous streets that extend south to railway corridor in Area A (Shaw Street, Crawford Street) and north to Bloor Street
(Roxton Road, Crawford Street) and Davenport Road (Ossington Street, Shaw Street, Christie Street).
Another interesting opportunity, in terms of providing connections north and south, is afforded through the extensive
north/south laneway network occurring within the block located between Dundas and College Street. These long interior
lanes function as quasi-pedestrian thoroughfares, particularly those within the vicinity of churches and schools. This
system, in combination with street related improvements, will provide route connections between the parks and open spaces
that exist within the area.
The curvilinear and topographically distinct nature of Crawford, Montrose, and Beatrice Street north of College Street,
reflects the past presence of Garrison Creek. An interesting and fortunate by-product of this grid deviation is the occurrence
of a series of enlarged boulevard conditions occurring at each of the intersections. A public art work series reminiscent of
the riparian stream bank has recently been installed at each of these locations. The portion of this artwork situated at the
north end, opposite the Montrose Public School, functions as an entrance improvement to the school yard, a protective
barrier, and a public art work.
Area B Civic Improvement Opportunities: Places
The following four public parks and one privately owned parking lot have the potential to meet stated Garrison Creek
Linkage Project open space objectives - each will be assessed for improvement from a community and open space
perspective. Based on these assessments, evaluation criteria, leading to comprehensive site plans will be produced and
implemented.
Trinity Bellwoods Park
This regional open space, taking its name from Trinity College, has a site area of 37.3 acres defining it as one of the largest
public parks in the Garrison system, and is possessed of the most extensive section of the remaining ravine. Comparatively
speaking then, given its size, topographical variety and cultural distinctiveness, it is best able to provide for an elaborated
range of public amenity.
It hosts an assembly of recreation facilities including tennis courts, a outdoor skating rink, three baseball diamonds, a
children's playground, wading pool and a community centre have been located randomly along the edges of the park. The
location of these amenities does not subscribe to some larger comprehensive vision. The orientation of the Trinity
Bellwoods Community Centre is a case in point. Facing south instead of west it does little to acknowledge its Crawford
Street frontage, a condition that is further exacerbate by an expansive parking lot which lies between the Centre and the
street. As a means of rectifying this incongruous relationship, in association with the renovation of the community centre,
the parking lot is to be redesigned to function as a public space/parking lot and the main entrance relocated to the eastern
side of the building. Storm water management practices will be incorporated in the form of a roof fed rain water diversion
project. This aspect of the project will funnel rain water from the roof of the centre into a series of elevated cisterns that in
turn connect to a vine planted arbour/aqueduct that carries water across the parking lot into a naturalized swale which
drains into a pond at the entrance of the centre. People entering the building will cross this pond via a footbridge. This
project not only performs a environmental function but it also enhances the parking lot as a forecourt to the Community
Centre.
The central portion of the park is dominated by a formal circle used as a pedestrian walk and a peanut shaped remnant of
the ravine that extends to Crawford Street. This topographical remnant provides an opportunity to return water to the
Garrison Creek open space system. The incorporation of a storm water pond within Trinity Bellwoods Park is being
reviewed by the City Works Services Department. If proven to be feasible a storm water pond should be introduced to this
site.
Crawford Street extended over the Garrison ravine as a graceful three arch concrete bridge. In the 1950's it was buried
intact. The unearthing of this bridge would restore an important heritage feature and would reconnect the parts of Trinity
Bellwoods Park on either side of Crawford Street. The resurrection of the Crawford Street Bridge is contingent on
determining the condition of the structure from a fiscal/engineering perspective and considering future park benefit. Along
the Bellwoods Street frontage no sidewalk exists. Construction of a park side walk, in conjunction with the rationalization
of the recreational amenities along the eastern precinct of the park, would vastly improve this edge condition
If feasible a comprehensive master plan for Trinity Bellwoods Park should be prepared that: integrates storm water
management into the park design; addresses the feasibility of uncovering the Crawford Street Bridge; enhances and extends
the amenity and function of the remnant ravine topography, implements extensive perimeter improvements; reveals the
heritage aspects of the park, rationalizes park facilities; and implements a tree planting/regeneration plan for the park needs
to be developed. It is important that this comprehensive site plan be developed by way of a meaningful consultation process
with the surrounding community and park users in order to ensure that their views are addressed.
Roxton Road Parkette
This open space, the smallest of all the public parks within the system, was purchased in 1893 by the city for the
construction of the Garrison Creek sewer. Currently it is little more than a plot of grass. However it is strategically located
at the former confluence of the north and west tributary of the creek and as such provides an opportunity to create a
uniquely poetic open space. The enhancement of the parkette could easily be carried out in conjunction with the route
development to create a open space that meets both neighbourhood and Garrison system wide needs.
Through the introduction of tree planting and other street scape improvements along the lane existing on the east side of the
parkette and extending to Dundas Street a pedestrian linkage between the parkette and the Trinity Bellwoods Park may be
realized. Additionally if public accessibility to Bellwoods's House well treed lawn (330 Shaw Street) could be negotiated
then this connection would be doubly reinforced.
Fred Hamilton Park and George Ben Park
Fred Hamilton Park has an overall site area of 4.032 acres. The southern part of the park is utilized as a children's
playground while the northern part extending from Roxton Road to Shaw Street, is well treed and caters to passive park
use. George Ben Park with a site area of 1.66 acres is located across Roxton Road from Fred Hamilton Park. It serves as the
playground for St. Luke's Separate School. Roxton Road runs between George Ben Park and Fred Hamilton park at a point
where Garrison Creek branched west to what is now Dufferin Grove Park, and north to Bickford Park and Christie Pits. A
fine opportunity exists to link these two parks by implementing streetscape improvements along this park bordered section
of Roxton Road. Altering the paving surface, widening the sidewalks, installing pedestrian scale street lights and street
furniture, and planting street trees will not only serve to perform a street calming function it will also transform the existing
streetside condition into a well travelled pedestrian promenade and thus increase the security of the adjacent open spaces.
Along the northern edge of George Ben Park a pathway needs to be implemented to establish a connection through it to
Ossington Street. The open space itself needs a comprehensive site plan, one that meets the recreational needs of the St.
Luke's Separate School into it. This site is a prime site for the incorporation of a storm water soak-away pit.
A pedestrian crosswalk across Ossington Avenue needs to be developed in order to establish a connection from George Ben
Park to Ossington Old Orchard Public School.
If feasible a comprehensive plan should be prepared that: incorporates the planned walkway improvements for George Ben
Park; improves the Roxton Road pedestrian realm; upgrades the Fred Hamilton playground to incorporate a Garrison theme
(waterplay); and generally improves upon the landscape character and amenity of both sites, should be developed.
Save-A-Centre Grocery Store Parking Lot
This privately owned main street parking lot site is located where the former Garrison Ravine crossed College Street at
Crawford Street. Bounded on two sides by retail buildings and on the other two by street frontage this parking lot could,
with a minor perimeter improvements and approved off hour access, function as a temporary public square. Improvements
would include enhanced street scaping and parking lot improvements. The long-term strategy for this site should consider
public acquisition or the integration of a public square into any redevelopment plans.
Area B Civic Improvement Opportunities: Routes
Shaw Street and Loeb Avenue
In light of the linkage objective Shaw Street is important because it extends from Wellington Street to Davenport Road. A
treed median exists between Queen Street and Dundas Street providing this portion of the street a unique landscape
character. North of Dundas Street sidewalk widening along Shaw Street should be pursued when the street is slated for
reconstruction. Street tree planting along the full length of Shaw Street should be made a priority as part of the city's
residential front yard tree planting program. Midway between Queen and Dundas Streets at Loeb Avenue the median can
be extended south to the Giving/Shaw Junior and Senior Public School. This should be carried in out conjunction with
crosswalk improvements from the school across Shaw Street. Pedestrian connections from the school to Trinity Bellwoods
Park should be improved by undertaking sidewalk widening and tree planting along Loeb Avenue.
Crawford Street
Crawford Street extends from King Street to Barton Street with important frontages along Trinity Bellwoods Park, the
Save-A-Centre parking lot at College Street, and at Christie Pits. Crawford Street should be made a priority for street scape
improvements through a combination of sidewalk widening and boulevard improvement where ever feasible.
Ossington Street
Ossington Street extends from Queen Street to Davenport Road. It is a prime candidate for dedicated bicycle lanes that
would begin to connect the Area of Designated Interest in a north south direction.
Robinson Street and Traffic Island
The alignment of Robinson Street shifts slightly southward between Euclid and Manning Avenue opposite the Charles G.
Fraser Junior Public School. This creates a large road surface area that provides the opportunity for the development of a
landscaped traffic island that would greatly enhance the character of the street. Robinson Street connects Bathurst Street to
Bellwoods Avenue, which is one block east of Trinity Bellwoods Park. A laneway behind the St. Nicholas church can be
upgraded to create a link from Bellwoods Avenue (south of Robinson Street intersection) and Trinity Bellwoods Park.
Laneways Between Christie and Roxton
Residential laneways throughout the city, in addition to functioning as vehicular thoroughfares, also function as pedestrian
walkways. A continuous pattern of north south lanes extends from Dundas Street to College Street between Christie and
Roxton Road. These lanes are, for the most part, asphalt and are due to be upgraded as part of the City's laneway upgrade
program. If they were to be resurfaced with permeable paving instead of concrete (the usual upgrade resurfacing material)
they would slow traffic down eliminating the need for unsightly traffic calming measures thereby creating a safer
pedestrian environment, and allow for infiltration of storm water into the ground water table. From a Garrison Linkage
Project perspective these improvements would enhance the north-south pedestrian connection throughout the Area of
Designated Interest. Laneway improvements would include lighting, permeable paving and signing.
Harrison Street
Harrison Street is a east west residential street that connects Ossington, Roxton Road, Shaw Street and Crawford Street. It
has a overly wide road pavement width that should be narrowed to accommodate sidewalk widening and street tree
planting.
Dewson Street, between Roxton and Shaw Street
Along this section of Dewson Street automobile traffic can be removed altogether to allow this street section to be treated
as a pedestrian link between Central Commerce High School and St. David Separate School.
Area C: Dundas to Bloor Street, Ossington Street to Dufferin Street (See Map C)
The most westerly branch of the Garrison Creek open space system, Area C may be characterized as being comprised of a
relatively consistent residential fabric broken by isolated pockets of industrial and institutional activity. The portion of this
area bounded by College Street to the north and Dundas Street to the south, exhibits an irregular street pattern that follows
the alignment of the former creek.
The area is bisected by three main streets Dundas, College and Bloor Streets and one quasi-main street condition-Harbord
Street. This latter street does not extend west past Ossington Street. Therefore, apart from the main streets the primary east
west residential street connections from Ossington Street to Dufferin Grove Park are provided for by Hepbourne and
Dewson Street.
Connections north and south are afforded by Dufferin Street extending from Bloor Street to the lake, Gladstone Avenue
between Bloor Street and Queen Street, Havelock Street from Bloor to College, and Ossington from Bloor to Queen Street.
Dufferin and Havelock Street are particularly relevant as green linkages and pedestrian connections given that they define
the east and west edge of Dufferin Grove Park. Within this area Gladstone Avenue is the most important north/south street
as it connects Bloor, College and Dundas Streets to Dufferin Grove Park.
Area C Civic Improvement Opportunities: Places
Dufferin Grove Park:
Located directly opposite Dufferin Mall on the east side of Dufferin Street this park is a public space that many people pass
through on their way to shop or seek out as a separate destination. Covering 14.4 acres it is the third largest city owned park
within the overall Garrison Linkage project area. It is heavily treed and hosts a range of recreational and community
amenity. Connections within the park and to the park should be improved.
The park is bounded by Dufferin Street, Dufferin Park Avenue, Havelock Street and Sylvan Avenue. Dufferin Park Avenue
serves a very limited traffic function yet consists of wide road pavement. Therefore, the opportunity to enhance the
pedestrian linkage role of Dufferin Park Avenue from Dufferin Street to Havelock Street along the north edge of the park,
and improve the relationship of St. Mary's High School to the park exists and should be acted upon. Street scape
improvements consisting of sidewalk widening and tree planting should also be undertaken along the Dufferin Street,
Sylvan Avenue, and Havelock Street frontages.
Beginning at the southwest corner of the park a wide swale extends quite a distance along the western edge of park parallel
to Dufferin Street. Currently the feasibility of implementing a storm water pond at this location is being determined. If
proven to be technically feasible then water should be reintroduced to this site.
The Gladstone Avenue road right of way bisects Dufferin Grove Park in the form of narrow asphalt path. This path, given
its non-vehicular nature, location within a park , and narrow aspect, may be easily widened and upgraded from a basic
asphalt path to that of a park promenade that includes tree planting, benches, decorative paving, furniture, and lighting.
If feasible a comprehensive park plan site plan should be prepared which incorporates the above improvements and
integrates community input needs to be developed for Dufferin Grove Park.
Dufferin Mall and Associated Parking Lots
Dufferin Mall parking lots given their location along the western and northern frontages of the mall on the other side of the
street from major publicly owned open spaces could be redesigned to contribute more publicly to the environmental, civic,
and open space objectives while retaining their current use function as parking lots. These parking surfaces and the roof
area of the mall shed a substantial amount of rainwater into the sewer system. Therefore, a storm water management plan
for Dufferin Mall, one that is integrally tied to the Dufferin Grove Park initiative should be encouraged.
Ossington Old Orchard Public School
The Ossington Old Orchard schoolyard has been transformed from an asphalt surface into an environmental playground
that includes a terrace garden, an orchard, a wild meadow, an aviary, and a grass play field. This project can serve as a
model for the renovation of many of the schoolyards throughout the Garrison Area of Designated Interest. The City should
examine ways to assist this school in completing this environmental/playground project.
Area C Civic Improvement Opportunities: Routes
Ossington Avenue, Dovercourt Road, Rusholme Park Crescent, Heydon Park Road, and Laneway The western branch of
the Garrison Creek System extends from the north west corner of George Ben Park and crosses Ossington Street connecting
into Ossington Old Orchard Public School. The introduction of a pedestrian crosswalk at this location would begin to
reinforce a route along this western branch.
A walkway extending the length of the schoolyard connecting Ossington Street to Dovercourt Road. In order to continue
the western route a pedestrian crosswalk is also required across Dovercourt to connect the schoolyard to Heydon Park
Road. A short laneway connects Heydon Park Road to Rusholme Park Crescent. This crescent extends to College Street
and Gladstone Avenue, which in turn leads to Dufferin Grove Park. Street scape improvements including tree planting and
sidewalk widening should be undertaken in order to reinforce this route.
Rusholme Road
Rusholme Road between College and Bloor Streets is blessed with wide tree lined boulevards. However south of College
Street to Dundas Street these boulevards are greatly reduced. Therefore, the sidewalk widening and street tree planting in
this section should be implemented to extend the character of the section of Rusholme Road located north of College Street.
Hepbourne Street and Dewson Street
These two east west streets connect the neighbourhoods east of Dufferin Grove Park to the park. Sidewalk widening,
dedicated bicycle lanes and street tree planting should be implemented to reinforce this linkage role.
Intersection of Dewson and Roxton Road
This intersection with its treed traffic island should be upgraded to provide a suitable eastern termination to Dewson Street.
Gladstone Avenue
The upcoming reconstruction of Gladstone Avenue provides the opportunity to extend sidewalk improvements and tree
planting along Gladstone Avenue from Dufferin Grove Park to Bloor and College Streets.
The Cadbury Factory property located south of College Street has a large parking lot and a well landscaped Gladstone
Avenue frontage. The large roof and parking lot surface areas shed a substantial amount of rainwater into the sewer system.
The diversion of this rainwater would be beneficial. Therefore, the development and implementation of a storm water
management plan for Cadbury Factory should be encouraged.
Dufferin Park Avenue
Dufferin Park Avenue extends from Dufferin Street to Havelock Street and is flanked on the south side by Dufferin Grove
Park and on the north side by St. Mary's High School. At first glance it appears to be an underused roadway that could be
narrowed to become more of a pedestrian park edge and public open space. Improvements would include widening
sidewalks, tree planting, decorative road resurfacing and pedestrian scale lighting and street furniture.
Area D: Harbord Street to Dupont Street, Bathurst Street to Dovercourt Street (See Map D)
This area is a uniform residential neighbourhood comprised of single family dwellings. Many schools are located along the
alignment of the former creek. From Harbord Street to Bloor Street the street system creates a pattern of long north south
blocks. This north south condition is reinforced by the Montrose schoolyard/Harbord Park/Bickford Park/Christie Pits open
space sequence. Taken together these parks constitute the longest series of linked open spaces in the system. North of Bloor
Street to Dupont, the street pattern changes to an east west orientation - a fortuitous consequence of this is that the laneways
that run between Shaw and Christie Street are shorter, more numerous, and as such provide for a regular pattern of
pedestrian connection between these two very important linkage routes. The street routes that are important in terms of
continuing street scape and route connections from a north/south direction are Bathurst, Christie, Crawford, Shaw,
Ossington and Dovercourt.
The intersection of Christie and Bloor is especially important as it the access point into the subway. Bloor and Dupont are
important east west streets which connect this area and the Garrison system to the surrounding city.
Area D Civic Improvement Opportunities: Places
Montrose School Yard/Harbord Park/Bickford Park/Christie Pits Linked Park Sequence:
These parks form an open space sequence along the alignment of the former Garrison Creek that extends from North
Beatrice Street to Bloor Street and Christie Pits. Until the filling in of the bridge in the 1950's this open space sequence was
continuous. The unearthing of this structure would restore an important heritage feature and an important pedestrian link
between Harbord Park to Bickford Park. The restoration of this link is predicated on whether the condition of the structure,
from an engineering perspective, can be restored and the feasibility of restoring the below bridge connection as it would
require substantial regrading of Harbord Park and the south end of Bickford Park.
The Montrose schoolyard, a city owned open space, has recently been upgraded. The former badly deteriorated asphalt
playground has been removed and replaced with a grass field and modest tree planting. This improvement undertaken
jointly by the school board and the City represents an initial phase of comprehensive improvements. Subsequent phases
should consider enhancing the laneway that surrounds it on three sides, removing extraneous fences, and constructing a
path that connects the Montrose/Harbord/Bickford open space sequence.
Bickford Park retains a ravine topography. The western edge of the park is bordered by a lane that can also be upgraded to
incorporate storm water management practices and landscape improvements. The Bickford Centre, located at the north end
of park, provides a marginal pedestrian link to Bloor Street. The Bloor Street frontage of the centre is used for car parking
and therefore does not present a suitable face to Bloor Street and Christie Pits Park. In the short term street scape
improvements should be made to this frontage and to the pedestrian connection under the Centre. In the long term, the
analysis of the life span of the Bickford Centre should consider replacing the existing structure with an open space that
more directly links Bickford Park to Christie Pits.
If feasible it is desirable to prepare a comprehensive plan for the Montrose schoolyard, Harbord Park, and Bickford Park
sequence. This plan should consider the feasibility of uncovering the Harbord Street bridge, regrading portions of these
open spaces to facilitate linkage, balancing active recreational uses across this three part section of the system ( keeping in
mind the uses offered by Christie Pits), modifying the Bickford Centre entryway sequence, linking the parks more directly,
and improving the landscape and amenity of all three.
Christie Pits
Bordered by Bloor Street, Christie Street, Barton and Crawford Street, Christie Pits the second largest park in the system
has a site area of 19.75 acre. The majority of this park area was a former sand and gravel pit. In 1907 the City acquired
Christie Pits as a park site. Today, with three baseball diamonds (one of which is home of the Inter County Baseball
Leagues Toronto Maple Leafs), a outdoor ice rink and a recently renovated swimming pool it is well supplied with active
recreational facilities. These facilities are concentrated in the northern two thirds of the park while the southern one third is
reserved for more passive uses. The sidewalks around the perimeter of this park are minimal in nature. The widening and
streetscaping of these sidewalks would create an enhanced pedestrian route around the top edge of the park. Access into the
park from any direction is difficult because of the steep slopes on all sides. Circulation through the park in a north south
direction is non-existent. The slopes along Christie and Barton street are also used as seating for the Toronto Maple Leaf
Baseball games.
Comprehensive improvements to Christie Pits Park would propose making improvements to the edges of Christie Pits Park
including the slopes and adjoining sidewalks. Strategic terracing of these slopes could provide seating, landscaping and
new access points into the park. The southern half of the park with its Bloor Street frontage also provides opportunities for
landscape improvements that could enhance this park's main street frontage. The introduction of a well engineered
earthwork walkways would mitigate the need to continue to dissect the space with outfield fencing.
Area D Civic Improvement Opportunities: Routes
Shaw Street, Crawford Street, Montrose Street
Within this sub-area Shaw, Crawford and Montrose streets provide north south connections between College Street and
Bloor Street. The introduction of sidewalk widening, street tree planting, and bike lanes along these streets would enhance
their pedestrian and cycling role within the overall Garrison system.
Christie Street
Christie Street is also an important street because it begins at Bloor Street and Christie Pits and extends past the CP rail line
via an underpass to Davenport Road. The implementation of street scape (sidewalk widening and street tree planting) and
underpass improvements will enhance this route.
Harbord Street
Harbord Street is an important east west cycling route. Unfortunately there are few trees planted along its length. The
introduction of street tree planting whenever possible should be undertaken.
North/South Laneways Between Grace and Shaw Street
A continuous pattern of north south lanes extends from College Street to Bloor Street between Christie and Shaw streets.
These lanes are largely asphalted and are prime candidates for laneway resurfacing. This resurfacing should be
implemented with permeable paving to provide for storm water infiltration and traffic calming.
Ossington Street
Ossington Street extends from Queen Street to Davenport Road. This street is a prime candidate for dedicated bicycle lanes
that would provide a north south route through much of the area of designated interest. Improvements to the Ossington
Street CP Rail Underpass will enhance this pedestrian and cycling connection. Therefore a bicycle lane and underpass
improvements should be implemented.
North South Lanes
A north south lane exists east of Shaw Street which extends from Barton Avenue to Dupont Street. This lane connects two
schools one at Barton Street (St. Raymond Catholic School) and the other at Essex Street (Essex Junior and Senior Public
school). Improvements should be made to this lane by way of implementing storm water management surface
improvements, lighting upgrading, and tree planting, in order to reinforce its use as a pedestrian and cycling link.
Neville Avenue; Yarmouth Road; Essex Street; Pendrith Street; Barton Avenue
Within this area these east-west streets have inconsistent street tree planting. They should be considered priorities for street
tree planting in order to create a consistent canopy.
Area E: Dupont to St. Clair, Christie to Glenholme (See Map E)
(To be extended at a later date to include the headwaters of the creek)
Area E is the northernmost limit of the defined project area is a combination of residential and industrial activity, parts of
which align a rail and hydro corridor. Its defining, natural feature, is the shore bluff - the prehistoric Lake Iroquois
shoreline which runs parallel to Davenport Road. Dedicated bicycle lanes along Davenport Road and open space
development along the Hydro Corridor have resulted in the implementation of east west cycling and pedestrian routes
through this area.
In addition to street and lane route related opportunities Area E has within it the following open space amenities: Hillcrest
Park; a section of the Hydro Corridor known as Frankel Lambert Park located between Shaw and Christie Streets; and
Melita Park. Access to Hillcrest Park is difficult given its escarpment topography. The section of the Hydro Corridor
between Shaw and Ossington Streets needs to be leased by the City from Ontario Hydro and improved as part of a
connected green system. Melita Park located in the midst of a housing development needs only to be linked via a more
substantial pedestrian connection to areas north and south.
Between Davenport Road and St. Clair Avenue, numerous curvilinear roadways which follow the branches of the creek
north of Davenport Road are evident - Regal Road, Springmount Avenue, and Highview Crescent. Directly north of St.
Clair Avenue a large No Frills store parking lot is strategically located in a park deficient area of the City.
Area E Civic Improvement Opportunities: Places
Hydro Corridor
The Hydro Corridor between Christie and Shaw Streets has been developed as parkland for the Frankel Lambert
neighbourhood. Despite this open space initiative, tree planting opportunities remain along the northern edge of this linear
park. On either side of this section of the hydro corridor lie opportunities to extend the open space system. The eastern
section from Christie to Bathurst Street and the western section from Shaw Street to Ossington Street have not been
developed as parkland. If they were, then, a linear park extending from Bathurst Street to Ossington Avenue would be
created. These undeveloped sections should be upgraded to perform as parkland.
Hillcrest Park
Hillcrest Park is strategically located north of Davenport on the embankment of the former Lake Iroquois shoreline. Access
from Davenport Road into this park is provided by a staircase located at the intersection of Davenport Road and Bathurst
Street. Located on top of the escarpment this park affords a excellent opportunity to oversee the city to the south. The
construction of a new public stair, interpretive viewing platform, and a Davenport Road pedestrian crosswalk on axis with
Melita Crescent would connect this park to the Hydro Corridor park and Frankel Lambert Park. The construction of this
shore bluff stair would be in keeping with the precedent of the Baldwin Steps located at Spadina Road and Davenport
Road, adjacent to Casa Loma.
Melita Park
This small park is strategically located midway between the Frankel Lambert Park and Hillcrest Park. The eastern
perimeter of the park needs to be upgraded as a promenade to reinforce the north south pedestrian route that includes Melita
Crescent and Hector Avenue.
No Frills Parking Lot
This privately owned parcel of land, fronting onto St. Clair Avenue, on axis with Alberta Avenue, would be a valuable
public open space to secure as part of the Garrison Creek Open Space System.
Oakwood Collegiate
The Regal Road/Springmount Avenue alignment of Garrison Creek leads to Oakwood Collegiate Institute. The Collegiate's
open space provides the opportunity to continue a route to St. Clair Avenue and undertake storm water management
practices.
Area E Civic Improvement Opportunities: Routes
Melita Crescent, Hector Avenue
Within the Frankel Lambert neighbourhood, Melita Crescent provides a route bordering the Hydro Corridor Park to Melita
Park and Hector Avenue which links to Davenport Road at the base of Hillcrest Park. Modest sidewalk improvements and
continuous tree planting along this route will provide a park like connection to the Lake Iroquois shoreline.
Davenport Road
Davenport Road follows an ancient aboriginal trail along the ancient Lake Iroquois shoreline. Recently the city has
designated bicycle lanes along Davenport Road which in a modest fashion begins to realize the linkage role of this east
west street. Street tree planting along this route would further enhance this role.
Turner Road, Conrad Avenue and Tyrrell Avenue
Turner Road and Conrad Avenue connect Hillcrest Park to Tyrrell Avenue. Tyrrell Avenue is an east west street which
connects to Mount Royal Avenue. Street tree planting and side walk widening along these streets will connect Hillcrest
Park to the alignment of the Garrison Creek Open Space system.
Regal Road/Spring Mount Avenue
Regal Road/Spring Mount Avenue ends at Oakwood Collegiate directly south of St. Clair Avenue. The green character of
the boulevards of roadways should be protected and reinforced in order to strengthen this link to Oakwood Collegiate.
Mount Royal Avenue
Mount Royal Avenue extends north of Davenport Road to intersect with Alberta Avenue which in turn continues north to
St. Clair Avenue. A driveway directly north of St. Clair Avenue, on axis with Alberta Avenue provides access into a large
parking lot of a No Frills Food Store. Undertaking street scape improvements to Mount Royal Avenue and Alberta Avenue
will reinforce this route to St. Clair Avenue.
Christie Street, Shaw Street, Ossington Street, Dovercourt Road
These north south thoroughfares pass under the CP rail corridor located between Dupont and Davenport. Pedestrian
improvements should be undertaken to these underpasses in order to enhance their role as 'gateways'.
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The Toronto Community Council reports for the information of Council, also having had before it the following
communications, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk:
-(September 11, 1998) from Mr. John Peters and Ms. Lynette Jeursen, from Bickford Park Residents Association; and
-(September 15, 1998) from Mr. Joe Gill, Chair, Friends of Fort York and Garrison Common.
Insert Table/Map No. 1
Garrison Creek Linkage Plan
Insert Table/Map No. 2
Garrison Creek Linkage Plan
