Ivan Forrest Gardens’ streetscape along Queen Street East.
The City is updating Ivan Forrest Garden‘s frontage along Queen Street East!
Project Timeline
Summer 2020 to Spring 2021: Design development and community consultation phase
Fall 2021: Construction phase
The timeline is subject to change.
About the Project
The aim of this project is to revitalize the park’s frontage along Queen Street East. Improvements will primarily include upgrades to the park entrances, pathways, seating areas and planting beds in the streetscape on the southern edge of the park.
The full scope of improvements will be determined through the consultation and design development process in response to budget and site constraints, as well as functional requirements for both the park and right-of-way.
Approximate project site area.
Project Updates
February 17, 2021
A virtual open house was held to share the preferred concept design and invite residents to ask questions about the project.
The preferred concept design was developed by combining strongly supported features from each of the previously presented concept design options. Key features include:
Designed to meet Toronto’s Accessibility Design Guidelines
Preserving all existing trees
A secondary east-west pathway with a curvilinear alignment
Small plaza/seating area to make the park more inviting and to provide a space for small events, while still trying to limit the disruption to the site and providing as much open green space as possible
Specialty pavers as the surface treatment for the secondary pathway and small plaza/seating area
New electrical power source near the small plaza
Native and pollinator-friendly shrub planting to frame the 2 park entrances and the small plaza
New bottle filler/drinking fountain/pet bowl combination at the west park entrance
New lights similar in style to others elsewhere in the park
Backed and backless benches in the small plaza/seating area
Chaises, backed benches and seating with tables to provide more options in seating types and the opportunity to be seated away from the small plaza for more tranquillity and privacy
Bollards and P-gates as barriers to vehicular entry into the park while still providing access to Parks Staff for maintenance purposes
Removal of the newspaper boxes and railing in the Right-Of-Way by the streetcar stop shelter and moving of the existing garbage/recycling bins to that location
Relocation of the existing garbage/recycling bins closer to the streetcar stop shelter and addition of a new set of bins at the east park entrance
October 23, 2020, to November 6, 2020
An online survey was launched to gather additional feedback on the concept design options.
A preferred concept design is currently being developed.
October 21, 2020
A Virtual Public Meeting was held to present Concept Design options for the streetscape improvements and gather feedback from the public.
Designed to meet Toronto’s Accessibility Design Guidelines
Preserving all existing trees
Maintaining a secondary east-west pathway
Seating/gathering areas with new seating that provides a variety of view options
Improvements to increase the presence of park entrances
Planting to frame park entrances and seating/gathering areas (i.e. small flowering deciduous trees, flowering shrubs, flowering perennials, ornamental grasses)
New lighting
Condensing site furniture at the bus stop
Drinking fountain upgrades
New electrical power source for events
Concept 1
Concept Design Focus:
Maintaining green space
Improvements related to more passive use of space
Key Features:
Seating area along the secondary pathway
Paving: Concrete
Seating: Cluster seating with tables, backed and backless benchtops on concrete seatwall, stand-alone bench
Lighting: a similar style of light standard to the existing pathway lights elsewhere in the park
New bottle filler/drinking fountain in the current location
Concept 2
Concept Design Focus:
Creating a space with potential for small organized events
Incorporating paving and furnishings that complement the streetscapes of nearby parks/parkettes
Key Features:
Widened secondary pathway
Plaza connecting secondary pathway to the street sidewalk
Paving: specialty permeable pavers
Seating: backed and backless benches
Lighting: more of the modern style of light standard to differentiate streetscape from the park
New bottle filler/drinking fountain location within the proposed plaza area
Bollards and P-gates at entrances to help prevent vehicles from entering the park
July 30, 2020, to August 18, 2020
An online survey was launched to collect feedback about the community’s vision and hopes for the project. In total, the survey received 306 responses.
Join us for the Ivan Forrest Gardens Streetscape Improvements Open House. Over the past few months, the City of Toronto has been working with the local community and stakeholders to develop a new design for the frontage along Queen Street at Ivan Forrest Gardens. Join us to see the preferred concept design and learn more about the project. Log in 10 minutes early to make sure the connection is working.
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 Rachel Weston at 416-937-3481 or Rachel.Weston@toronto.ca.