Earlscourt Park Pathway Improvements

While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some of the content on this site. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings, or any other content, please contact Erika Richmond at 416-394-5770 or Erika.Richmond@toronto.ca.

February 2022

Virtual Open House

On February 23, 2022, a virtual open house provided community members with more information about the proposed design for the pathway improvements. The open house included an interactive question-and-answer session and provide next steps for the project.

Download the meeting presentation.

Open House Summary

Points of clarification provided at the open house include:

• The proposed pathways:
  • Will follow existing lighting through the park.
  • Will avoid impacting existing trees (and their roots).
  • Will avoid impacting open space uses.
  • Will be made of asphalt.
  • Will be accessible to people using mobility devices (e.g. less than a five per cent slope).
  • Will not be maintained in winter and are not eligible for inclusion in the City’s sidewalk-clearing program.
  • Are of different widths. Route A and B are 3 metres to allow for maintenance vehicle use while protecting the lawn and existing tree roots from damage. Routes C and D are 2.1 metres to reduce the amount of paved surface while maintaining accessibility standards.
• Benches will be positioned near lights for higher visibility. Additional light and/or lighting upgrades are not included in the scope of this project.
• Plantings at the proposed curbed island path intersection will be raised beds and include species that are as maintenance-free as possible.
• Emergency calling poles are not included in the scope of this project as they would require electrical servicing. Security has not been raised as a pressing concern by the community.

Attendees generally support leaving the existing footpath as-is (unpaved) and are looking forward to the pathway improvements. Suggestions include:

• Ensure the pathways are positioned to have the least impact possible on the use of open space in the park.
  • Ensure enough clearance to maintain existing tobogganing routes.
• Add individual seating around the proposed island (e.g. stools).
• Consider an access point from Caledonia Road into the park at a location slightly north of the proposed Route D, where there is already an informal access point.
• Include additional garbage and recycling bins to prevent littering around new seating areas.
• Include stairs from Route B up the hill to the multipurpose field and track.
• Ensure the pathways are well-maintained and long-lasting.

Pathway Plan Released

On February 1, 2022, the proposed pathway plan for the west side of the park is released to the public, based on previous community engagement.

November 2021

Councillor-led Stakeholder Meeting

On November 26, 2021, the local Councillor’s Office held a stakeholder meeting with several stakeholder groups to discuss and refine the developing design for the Earlscourt Park Pathway Improvements. The design consultant presented a design plan for the new pathways. After the presentation, stakeholders were invited to ask questions and provide feedback on the proposed pathways. Discussion topics included pathway locations, accessibility, width and more. Key discussion points include:

• Width of pathways: Main routes will be 3 metres to accommodate a variety of user-groups and to make pathways safer and more accessible
• Accessibility: All new pathways would be graded to be compliant with accessibility standards (AODA)
• Additional paths: An additional path connection to the southeast stair at the south end of the off-leash area will be given further consideration
• Winter maintenance: No winter maintenance is planned for the park paths as is typical in most City parks

The design team will take this feedback into consideration as they refine the designs, which will be shared with the public at a virtual open house in the new year.

March 2020

Online Survey

An online survey was available from February 5 to March 13, 2020. The survey received 193 responses.

• 46 per cent of respondents are very or somewhat satisfied with the current placement of pathways within the park
• 41 per cent of respondents describe their current ability to move through and access amenities in the park as either very easy or somewhat easy
• 67 per cent of respondents preferred option two as it would extremely improve or somewhat improve their experience walking through the park
• 60 per cent of respondents preferred option three as it would extremely improve or somewhat improve their experience walking through the park

Download the survey summary report for more information.

February 2020

Open House

On February 25, 2020, the City, in coordination with the local Councillor’s Office, hosted an open house at the Joseph J. Piccininni Community Centre. Community members reviewed information boards about the project and asked the project team questions. Community members were directed to an online survey (live from February to March) to share their feedback on the proposed improvements.

While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some of the content on this site. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings, or any other content, please contact Erika Richmond at 416-394-5770 or Erika.Richmond@toronto.ca.

1. Proposed seat wall (two locations)
2. Proposed bench on concrete pad (five locations)
3. Proposed curbed island at path intersection with plantings
4. Proposed culvert
5. Proposed stair location (part of Route D, potential future phase)
6. Existing injured trees to be removed*
7. Existing benches to be adjusted to new path alignment
8. Existing pavilion
9. Existing off-leash access
10. Potential additional pathway connection to southeast stairs (pending further review)

*All existing healthy trees will be preserved.

The new proposed pathways (labelled Routes A, B and C) lead from the south-west corner of the site, along the west side of the park and connect to the existing entrance at the north-west corner of the site. The new pathways connect to the central region of the park, where a small planting bed is proposed.

The pathways connect to existing park amenities including the pavilion area, and will also provide a connection to pathways that lead to the playground and splash pad. The pathways are located close to existing lighting. Benches and armourstone walls will provide seating opportunities along the path. At the south end, the proposed pathway connects to the off-leash area and an additional connection is made to the south-west entrance of the park.

Routes A and B are three meters wide and the small connection to the existing pathway at the south end (Route C) is 2.1 meters wide. An additional path and stair (Route D) is also shown – this could be considered as a potential future phase of improvements. There is an existing footpath along the west edge of the site; it is recommended that this path be kept as an informal path to prevent injury to mature trees.