Baycrest Park is currently closed due to a contractual issue with the contractor. The park, pathway, and ramp connecting to Yorkdale Mall, the subway station and the GO bus terminal will remain closed for public safety while construction continues. An alternative route is available via Ranee Avenue. The City is working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible while following the contract process.

Baycrest Park is located to the southeast of Highway 401 and the Allen Road expressway, adjacent Ranee Avenue and Varna Drive, and extends toward Neptune Drive. The City is in the process of improving the park with upgraded and additional amenities.

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  • Fall 2021: Contractor prequalification
  • Spring 2022: Contract tender
  • June 2024: Construction timeline extended. Visit Project Updates for more information.

This timeline is subject to change. Details about the construction timeline will be posted as soon as they are available.

June 7, 2024

The project timeline for the park improvements has been extended, resulting in the park being closed for longer than anticipated. The City and contractor hired for the project have been in a lengthy dispute, which can sometimes happen with construction projects. The City is exercising its contractual rights to advance the project and determine the best path forward, prioritizing public access to the subway station ramp and baseball field lighting so the community can enjoy the park as soon as possible. More information will be shared as it is available.

April 2024

The City continues to work with the contractor to determine how to effectively advance the park improvements. More information will be posted as soon as it is available.

October 2023

Construction Delayed

Construction of the park improvements has been delayed. The permit approval process identified significant infrastructure changes required to address storm water management in the park. In addition, construction of the ramp continues to be delayed due to Toronto Hydro assets located near the proposed ramp site. The City is working with the contractor and Toronto Hydro to address these issues and resume construction as soon as possible.

July 2023

Construction Update

Site preparation work and tree removal is completed. The contractor has been directed to prioritize work on the ramp to the subway station as well as the internal pathways within the park in order to minimize the inconvenience to pedestrians. The contractor encountered undocumented Toronto Hydro facilities which has delayed work on the proposed ramp structure and electrical elements. The contractor is coordinating with Toronto Hydro to review and address this issue so that work may resume as soon as possible. The contractor will adjust their work plan and commence work in other areas of the park while the issue with Toronto Hydro is remedied. Work on the ramp remains a priority and this path to the subway station will open to the public well in advance of project completion.

Due to unprecedented supply chain and material availability, construction is now anticipated to be completed by late 2024, weather permitting.

April 2023

Construction Starts

Construction started on April 3, 2023. Park closure and construction signs have been installed in multiple locations on-site.

February 2023

Partial Park Closure

From March 2023 to summer 2024, a section of the park and the pathway that connects the park to Yorkdale subway station will be closed due to construction for the park improvements. The south entrance of Yorkdale Station can be accessed from Ranee Avenue. Detour signs with more information will be posted on-site.

For public safety and to accommodate construction, the southern area of the park from Baycrest Avenue to Ranee Avenue (including the ramp to the subway station) will be temporarily closed. The City is exploring options for additional access routes in order to minimize the inconvenience to pedestrians, where possible. The park will fully reopen in summer 2024.

An aerial map which shows Baycrest Park and the surrounding areas that will be impacted by construction for the park improvements. The southern section of the park from Baycrest Avenue to Ranee Avenue will be temporarily closed, which will impact access to the Yorkdale subway station north entrance from the park. An alternative access point is the Yorkdale subway station south entrance from Ranee Avenue.

November 2022

Construction Delayed

Construction for the park improvements has been delayed and will start in spring 2023, in order to minimize impacts to the park and access to Yorkdale subway station over the winter. During construction, the pathway that connects the park to Yorkdale subway station will be closed. An alternative access point will be determined before construction starts. Detour signs with more information will be posted on-site.

November 25, 2021

Contractor Prequalification

The evaluation team has assessed all of the submissions to the Contractor Prequalification using pre-determined, weighted criteria. Based on the results of the analysis, six contractors have been pre-qualified.

November 20, 2019

Public Design Meeting

The Project team presented residents with the refined masterplan concept (with and without the Varna Road extension) based on previous community comments, additional approved funding, and with recommended design refinements, as well as options for playground equipment. Residents provided feedback on the playground components for the Project Team to take into consideration when completing design refinements.

December 21, 2018

New Landscape Architect Hired

The Project team hired a new Landscape Architect to continue the project with the new scope of work. The new Landscape Architect will complete the first phase of work, limiting the amount spent on areas that would later be impacted by the Varna Road extension. This phase of work is expected to include a new washroom building requested by the community, as well as other site features that can now be included as a result of a budget increase.

August 24, 2018

Completion of Landscape Architect’s Work

The project budget was increased as a result of residents’ requests and a need for additional state of good repair work. As a result, the existing contract with the hired Landscape Architect no longer reflected the project’s scope of work. The contract was therefore completed, in favour of a new Request For Proposal process in the future.

June 11, 2018

Public Design Meeting

A public meeting was held at Lawrence Heights Community Centre. A refined design concept was presented that incorporated residents’ comments from the previous public meeting. In addition to these comments, City staff had identified the need for Varna Road to be extended from Ranee to Neptune in accordance with the approved Secondary Plan. Two plans, one with the Varna Road extension and the second without, were presented for additional feedback. Although residents wanted staff to include a washroom building, this could not be built within the existing budget.

February 6, 2018

Public Design Meeting

A public meeting was held at Baycrest Public School Gymnasium. Two design concepts were presented with residents identifying a preference and offering comments for improvements.

May 1, 2017

Landscape Architect Hired

The Project Team hired a Landscape Architect to complete a masterplan for the park and first phase of construction, including replacing the playground, upgrading the lighting, and improving the park entrances.

An overall master plan was completed to show possibilities for Baycrest Park. The initial approach was to complete a small portion of the master plan in a manner that would maximize available funds and allow future phases to be completed as funds became available. However, with overwhelming community support for a larger initial park project phase, additional funds were sourced and the budget was increased to include a washroom building to the scope of work.

Subject to further design refinement and cost, the current phase of redevelopment is anticipated to include much of the southern half of Baycrest Park. Anticipated work includes:

  • upgraded lighting
  • entry features
  • playground
  • washroom building
  • water play area
  • outdoor fitness
  • planting
  • walkways
  • seating areas
  • floral display garden

The City consulted with the public in the design of the park.

Project Renderings