A new park is open at 25 Wellesley St. W., near Bay Street and Wellesley Street W. The park features a playground and public art honouring the heritage and homeland of Dr. Lillian McGregor.
The timeline is subject to change.
On September 29, 2022, Dr. Lillian McGregor Park opened to the public. The park features include new pathways and seating, a playground and artwork by Kenneth Lavallee recognizing regional Indigenous histories and cultures and honouring themes important to Dr. McGregor, including health, spirituality and language.
A formal park opening event with the McGregor family will take place in spring 2023. Details about the event will be shared on this page.
Park opening has been delayed due to unforeseen delays in the conveyance of the parkland from private ownership to City of Toronto parkland.
A majority of the park construction will be complete at the end of November. The new park is anticipated to open to the public in March 2022.
The construction contract has been awarded and construction is scheduled to start in February. Updates regarding the construction timeline will be shared here.
Delivery of the park is taking longer than expected. The park is still on its way; the City is resolving issues involving ownership/property relating to the multiple land parcels being brought together, as well as the park being built over existing parking structures.
The meeting provided an opportunity for public input into the planning and programming of the revised park design.
Download the description of the proposed park design
The meeting was held to provide an opportunity for public input into the planning and programming of the new park and provide direction on the park design. The local councillor was also in attendance.
This meeting also presented the first opportunity for area residents and park users to provide their comments and input about the project.
Dr. Lillian McGregor Park is a new 6400m2 park named for Dr. Lillian McGregor, of White Fish First Nation. The park features include new pathways and seating, a playground, a dog off-leash area located directly beside the page, and public art recognizing regional Indigenous histories and cultures and honouring themes important to Dr. McGregor, including health, spirituality and language.
Dr. Lillian McGregor (1924-2012), of Whitefish River First Nation, was a dedicated nurse and community leader, recognized for her work in promoting indigenous culture and education. She received the City of Toronto Civic Award, the National Aboriginal Achievement Lifetime Award and the Order of Ontario and was the first indigenous woman to be awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Toronto, and was the University’s first Elder In Residence.
The art is inspired by Dr. McGregor’s family clan sign (the crane) and by the elements of her childhood home on Birch Island (rock outcrops, water, and reeds). The aim was to envision the Park as a small natural refuge in the midst of downtown Toronto, a home away from home. The artwork is weaved throughout the site and fully integrated with the landscape.
Kenneth Lavallee is from a small town outside of Winnipeg called St. Laurent and is of Metis descent. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Manitoba.
