Joseph Burr Tyrrell Park & Playground Improvements

The City is updating Joseph Burr Tyrrell Park and playground to improve the space for playground and park users.

Project Timeline

  • 2020 to Winter 2021: Design Development and Community Consultation
  • Summer to Fall 2021: Construction

This timeline is subject to change.

The redesigned park and playground will include:

  • A new park layout
  • A new playground and play elements
  • Improved accessible pathways
  • Improved seating
  • Updated plantings
  • Updated amenities (e.g. water fountain)

The park and playground design will be developed through consultation with the community.

June 31, 2020

Online Survey

The City collected feedback from community members on the high-level, preliminary layouts. The results will be used to inform the development of more detailed design options for the park and playground. The survey closed on July 27, 2020.

Findings from the survey will be posted to the website when they are available.

Spring 2020

A design team has been hired to lead the design development and consultation process. They have developed a site analysis report. Based on this report and the feedback from the January 2020 online survey, they have produced three high-level preliminary layout options for the park. These contain different ideas for play and passive recreation areas, pathways and buffer zones.

The three high-level, preliminary layouts follow. The City is collected feedback on these layouts through an online survey, which closed July 27, 2020.

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 Casey Morris at 416-873-7503 or Casey.Morris@toronto.ca.

Option 1

An aerial layout of a potential design for the park, option 1. A description follows in list format.

Option 1 displays:

  • A curvy pathway with multiple park entrances and exits on both the west and east side of the park (pink arrows).
  • A play structure (orange dotted line) and play area (orange solid line) in the middle of the park, south of the proposed pathway.
  • A narrow area of passive recreation space north of the proposed pathway (blue solid line).
  • Narrow green buffers with wide-open connections to both Brunswick Avenue and Dalton Street (green solid line).

Option 2

An aerial layout of a potential design for the park, option 2. A description follows in list format.

Option 2 displays:

  • A zigzag pathway with one park entrance/exit on both the west and east side of the park (pink arrows).
  • A play structure (orange dotted line) and play area (orange solid line) in the middle of the park, north of the proposed pathway.
  • A narrow area of passive recreation space south of the proposed pathway (blue solid line).
  • Large green buffers with narrow connections to both Brunswick Avenue and Dalton Stree (green solid line).

Option 3

An aerial layout of a potential design for the park, option 3. A description follows in list format.

Options 3 displays:

  • A straight pathway with one park entrance/exit on both the west and east side of the park (pink arrows).
  • A play structure (orange dotted line) and play area (orange solid line) in the middle of the park, north of the proposed pathway.
  • A passive recreation space south of the proposed pathway, and on the western and eastern ends of the park (blue solid lines).
  • Narrow green buffers with wide-open connections to both Brunswick Avenue and Dalton Street (green solid line).

January 2020

As part of the community engagement process, an online survey was completed by 32 residents. Participants shared what they liked, disliked, and wanted to see changed in Joseph Burr Tyrrell Park. The results of this survey are summarised below:

  • Most respondents would prefer a rubberized play surface, to improve playground accessibility.
  • Most respondents would like park entrance fencing removed and softer landscaping at park entrances (e.g. grass and greenery instead of pavement).
  • Most respondents would like the swings to remain and be improved.
  • Most respondents would like the tether-ball pole to be removed for other play options.
  • Most respondents would like to see more shade in the park, through the planting of trees.
  • Most respondents would like a water fountain and bottle fill station.
  • Many respondents said that adding a large or small sandbox would balance the removal of sand as a play surface.
  • Many respondents would like to see improved park lighting, as long as the lights were not disruptive to neighbouring homes.
  • Respondents were fairly split on whether to keep or remove the existing play structures, though slightly more preferred to keep the play structures.
  • Respondents were split on whether to include a water feature or a splash pad in the park.

Online Survey

A phase two online survey will be posted in late August. Subscribe for updates to be notified when the new survey is available.

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