Two new parks have arrived in Spadina-Fort York as a result of the condominium development project at Garrison Point and the construction of the Garrison Crossing pedestrian and cycling bridges. One new 1.2 ha (3 acres) park is located at 10 Ordnance St. and the other 1 ha (2.3 acres) park is located at 801 Wellington St. W., near Strachan Avenue. The design for each new park, including the amenities and features, will be determined with the help of community and stakeholder feedback through the community engagement process!
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The timeline is subject to change. Construction in each park will be phased to accommodate Metrolinx work.
This project has been classified as a Collaborate project based on the International Association of Public Participation Spectrum. This means we aim to partner with the public, stakeholders and rightsholders in each aspect of the design process, including the development of a vision, design options and the identification of a preferred design.
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This project has a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) with a mandate to provide a forum for feedback, guidance and advice to the project team at key decision points during the community engagement process. The CAC will meet once during each phase of the community engagement process. The CAC is not a decision-making body and does not speak on behalf of the entire community.
This project has an Indigenous Advisory Circle (IAC) that provides feedback, guidance and advice on Indigenous placekeeping design elements for the new parks during Community Engagement Phase 3.
This phase of the community engagement process started in April 2023 and included conversations with community groups to help the project team better understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with the parks. As an outcome of this phase, the team has developed a summary of key insights.
In this phase of the community engagement process, the City worked with community members, including the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), to help define an overall vision for the two new parks. This will also include a series of guiding principles which will guide the development of design options in Community Engagement Phase 3A.
Download the Phase 2 summary.
On June 13, the CAC had a meeting. Two additional CAC meetings are planned throughout the summer and fall of 2023.
Download the:
From April 27 to May 19, 2023, an interactive thought exchange activity was available where community members could help shape the vision for the new park by sharing their ideas and rating the ideas of others.
Download the May 2023 thought exchange summary.
On May 29, the CAC had a meeting.
Download the:
On May 14 and May 17, park pop-ups took place at 801 Wellington St. W. where community members could meet the project team, learn more about the project and help shape the vision for the new parks.
Download the May 14 and 17, 2024 pop-up summary.
In early May, community members were invited to apply to be a member of the CAC. In mid-May, the CAC was formed. The intent of the CAC is to represent the diverse interests of the community of 10 Ordnance St. and 801 Wellington St. W. and they will be engaged throughout the design process.
In this phase of the community engagement process, the City and its design consultant used the outcomes from Community Engagement Phase 2 to develop two design options for the parks. These options were presented to community members, including the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), for feedback.
In response to a request from the local Councillor’s office (Ward 10, Spadina-Fort-York), the project team is exploring the opportunity to include a community garden and public washroom in one of the park designs. The project team is currently conducting a study to explore the technical feasibility of these potential additions, and this will delay the project timeline. Please note that this is only a study, and these additions may not be possible. An updated timeline will be shared as soon as it is available.
From August 21 to September 11, an online survey collected feedback from over 800 community members on the draft design options for the new parks.
Download the September 2023 survey summary.
On August 23 and August 27, approximately 255 community members participated in pop-ups at the northwest corner of 801 Wellington St.
Download the August 2023 pop-up summary.
On August 3, the CAC had a meeting to review the two design options.
Download the:
In this phase of the community engagement process, the City will share the preferred design for each park with community members. When the preferred design is confirmed, the project will move into the detailed design phase where the design team will finalize the design by working through the technical details and drawings for the construction contractor.
The anticipated outcome of this phase is a refined preferred design for each park.
The Ordnance and Wellington parks will provide a unique urban green space with spectacular views of the City skyline. The parks will become an important green link between adjacent communities and to the broader open space network, offering a balance of green, ecological design; restful open spaces; and the creation of a social and playful public realm that will bring Indigenous histories and futures into focus.
The preferred design for each park includes sculpted landforms that create distinct outdoor spaces, a balance between active and passive experiences, and frame the unique expansive views toward the City skyline.
Through careful manipulation of topography (landscape features), the preferred design improves overall circulation within the park and to adjacent public spaces, preserves existing uses, and provides new flexible space for programming.
The preferred design builds on the existing topography (landscape features) of the site, creating a peninsula with a naturalized grassland meadow that rises over the rail corridor to provide unique views of the City skyline.
The park will include public art depicting a family of beavers, made from repurposed timber and lumber by artists Lisa Steele and Kim Tomczak. The wood sculptures will be treated for fire safety and will be weatherproofed in an environmentally safe manner.
During previous engagement, the project team heard from the community that the new parks should incorporate Indigenous placekeeping elements into the designs. As a result, Indigenous placekeeping elements are being integrated through consultation with an Indigenous Advisory Circle (IAC) and an Indigenous design consultant. This commitment includes:
From March 28 to April 15, an online survey collected feedback on the preferred design for each park.
On March 26, the IAC met to review the two design options and discuss Indigenous placekeeping elements for the new parks.
The summary report will be posted once available.
On March 27, the project team hosted an in-person Open House to share the preferred design for each new park.
The summary report will be posted once available.
On February 22, the CAC met to review the two design options.
Download the:
On February 13, the IAC met for the first time to review the two design options and discuss Indigenous placekeeping options.
Download the:
