The City is implementing a comprehensive and unified signage system across its 1,600 public parks and 600 kilometre trail system as part of a series of coordinated pedestrian, cycling, and vehicle wayfinding initiatives. The wayfinding system reflects the guidance provided in the Toronto Parks and Trails (TPT) Wayfinding Strategy for scoping, planning, fabricating and installing the signage products.
Wayfinding is the process of finding your way around. A wayfinding strategy provides the right information, in the right format, at the right moment in a person’s journey. For example, signage is a form of wayfinding that helps people to locate and access entrances to the parks and trail system and find nearby streets, recreational centres, and other points of interest.
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From December 13 to February 10, 2023, an online interactive mapping activity collected feedback on the Black Creek Trail wayfinding system implementation. A summary of the feedback will be shared here when available.
The project team is hosted a pop-up event at Jane Finch Mall, in the south mall outside of Shoppers Drug Mart.
On December 21, 2022, a meeting took place to present the Jane Finch Citizen Advisory Committee with information about the wayfinding system. The presentation was well received and feedback collected will help the project team move further into detailed design and implementation in Fall/Winter 2023.
Download the meeting presentation.
Wayfinding systems are currently being developed for the following multi-use trail systems:
In addition to our existing network of paved multi-use trails, Toronto is home to over 300 kilometres of natural surface (dirt) trails that wind through our forests and ravines. These natural environment trails tend to be narrower and more remote than paved trails and present a unique challenge for wayfinding.
These signs use timber posts that are more suited to natural forested environments and easier to install and maintain in remote locations.
In fall 2023, wayfinding signs will be installed in two areas of the city:
In May 2022, the City prepared a draft interactive map to collect public feedback on accuracy, omissions, errors and priority destinations. The pilot maps can be reviewed in person at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal or any of the three ferry docks on the Islands.
The Parks and Trails Wayfinding Strategy is focused on improving wayfinding in parklands managed by the City. The goal of this ambitious project is to implement a signage system for parks and trails that:
A pilot scheme consisting of a new family of wayfinding signage was implemented in 2017 in the Lower Don Trail, Riverdale Park East, and Riverdale Park West.
Lessons learned during the pilot informed refinements to the signage products, graphics, and construction, which are being incorporated into the rollout of the system.