The David Crombie Park Revitalization project is a comprehensive conceptual design and implementation plan for improvements to the park in response to the current and future needs of the community. The conceptual park design was developed through an extensive community engagement process during Phase 1.

Phase 2 is currently underway. Park improvements will be implemented based on the approved plans. City divisions are working closely together to deliver the park revitalization alongside cycle track improvements on The Esplanade for a seamless integration of the park and public realm.

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Phase 1 of this project was completed in 2020. This phase involved developing a comprehensive conceptual design and implementation plan for the park improvements in response to current and future community needs. Extensive consultation with residents, stakeholders, the public and Indigenous engagement took place.

Timeline

  • Fall 2018: Detailed investigation, assessment of park conditions and community engagement
  • Spring 2019: Preparation of a communications and community engagement plan
  • Fall 2019: Community engagement for  design concept options
  • Winter 2019: Finalize park revitalization design, recommendations for implementation and  community engagement
  • Winter 2020: Final Report complete for David Crombie Revitalization Design

Community Engagement Meetings and Events

May 2021

Final Report Available

Download the final report, master plan and implementation plan for the David Crombie Park Revitalization project.

February 2020

Draft Final Report

The draft final report, master plan and implementation is being developed by the project team. The final report is anticipated to be shared with the public in spring 2021.

September 26, 2019

Public Workshop 3

Participants learned more about the preferred concept plan, gave input and found out about the next steps.

Download the:

April 2, 2019

Public Workshop 2

This was an exploration of design concepts for the revitalization of David Crombie Park. Each workshop session began with a presentation followed by table group discussions that allowed input on what was liked about the concepts, and what could be done differently.

Download the:

March 2019

Public Life Study Report Available

Download the Public Life Study Report.

November 29, 2018

Public Workshop 1

Both workshop sessions began with a presentation followed by table group discussions to provide input on what’s important, what you love about the park, what facilities or spaces are not working well, how you’d like to use the park and how you use the park now.

Download the:

November 20, 2018

Public Kick-off Event

Attendees listened to a lively conversation on “Park + City Making”. Jane Farrow, author and former CBC broadcaster, facilitated a conversation with three inspiring experts. David Crombie, the mayor at the time St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood was conceived in the late 70s,  told us about the inspiration, big ideas and challenges of creating the neighbourhood and its integrated “green spine” park.  Renee Daoust, a Governor General award-winning Montreal architect and urban designer, shared her insights into what makes fantastic parks and streets, showcasing projects from around the world. Janie Romoff, the City of Toronto’s General Manager of Parks, Recreation and Forestry talked about exciting new directions for our City Parks and Public Realm. Together the panel focused on David Crombie Park’s past and future–lessons learned and opportunities for the revitalization. The conversation included questions and comments from the floor.

Download the Public Kick-off Event Summary.

September 18, 2018

One-on-One Interviews

This was an opportunity for members of the public to share their ideas for the park. Interviews were approximately 20 minutes long and held at the St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre.

Download the One-on-One Interviews: What We Heard Report.

August  2018

Public Life Study

The first round of the Public Life Study was completed on August 15 and August 22, 2018.

A Public Life Study was conducted to collect people data about the park. The study will help the team understand who uses the park, at what times, how people get there, and what they do once they’re there.

This data will help the team determine the people and activities that the park is already serving, and provide insight into the people and activities that are underrepresented in the park.

The Public Life Study will be conducted in the summer, fall and winter, making it a critical tool for developing an inclusive park design that is inviting at all times of the year.

Phase 2 of the project will implement most of the approved conceptual park plan that was developed during Phase 1. Construction will occur over a number of seasons, typically from May to October, weather permitting. To minimize service disruption during construction, some areas of the park will remain open. Signs will be posted on-site with information about the construction schedule and additional information will be shared on this page.

City divisions are working closely together to deliver the park revitalization alongside cycle track improvements on The Esplanade for a seamless integration of the park and public realm.

The diagram below shows the park blocks and streets that will be included in Phase 2. More detailed plans will be shared on this page when available.

Timeline

  • 2023: Hire a design team, detailed design and construction document preparation for the park, cycle track and streetscape improvements
  • Early-mid 2024: Hire a construction team
  • Late 2024: Construction for park and cycle track starts
  • Late 2025: Construction for cycle track complete
  • Spring to Fall 2025/2026: Construction for park improvements continues
  • Late 2026: Construction for park improvements complete

The timeline is subject to change.

The following park blocks will be improved in this phase.

 

An aerial map of the surrounding park site showing the park blocks for improvements in Phase 2 in green and the streets and ROW included in yellow. The park blocks are all south of The Esplenade. From left to right, the park blocks include Lower Jarvis Street to George Street, a small space between George Street and Frederick Street, Lower Sherbourne Street to Princess Street, and Princess Street to Hahn Pleasant.
Extent of park and streetscape improvements to be implemented through Phase 2 of the project.

 

Community Engagement Meetings and Events

October 2023

Public Information Meeting

On October 26, a public information meeting took place.

Download the:

July/August 2023

Park Pop-Ups

On July 29 and August 11, 2023, pop-ups took place at David Crombie Park to share information about the project implementation.

Download the pop-up summary.

David Crombie Park is a 1.6 hectare (3.95 acres) linear park in east downtown Toronto that functions as the green spine of the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood. David Crombie Park is situated within an area of cultural and heritage significance. It is located just south of the original footprint of Old Town Toronto.

The park was built in 1977 and is named after David Crombie, who, during his successive three terms as mayor of Toronto (1972 to 1978), had taken a leadership role in the redevelopment of the neighbourhood that surrounds the park.

David Crombie Park is a very well used and loved neighbourhood park. It also provides a popular green corridor promenade for tourists and residents to walk between the downtown core to neighbourhoods east of the park.