New Park at 51 Sussex Avenue

A new 600m2 park is coming to 51 Sussex Ave. as part of a residential development project near Spadina Avenue and Sussex Avenue in the Harbord Village neighbourhood.

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  • Summer 2022: Community Engagement Phase 1
  • Winter 2023: Hire a design team
  • Summer 2023 to  Winter 2024: Community Engagement Phase 2
  • Summer 2024: Community Engagement Phase 3
  • Summer to Fall 2024: Detailed design
  •  Winter 2025: Hire a construction team
  • Spring 2025: Construction starts
  • Fall 2025: Construction complete, park opens

The timeline is subject to change.

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Level of Engagement

This project has been classified as an Involve project based on the International Association of Public Participation Public Participation Spectrum. This means we work directly with the public, stakeholders, and rightsholders throughout the design process to ensure that ideas and aspirations are understood and considered in the design process.

In this phase of the community engagement process, the project team collected design ideas from community members for the new park, which guided the development of design options in Community Engagement Phase 2.

June 2022

Online Survey

From May 11 to June 3, 2022, about 250 community members completed an online survey to share 179 ideas and over 4,800 ratings for the new park. The main survey question asked, “What are your ideas for this new park and playground, and is there any local knowledge we need to consider?”

The design team will use the feedback from this survey to create draft park design options, which will be shared for further feedback and refinement in Community Engagement Phase 2.

Feedback Summary

Community members shared that they are excited about this new park. The following summarizes the most popular ideas that are within the project scope. Review a full summary of the results in an interactive report.

  • Build a green park that includes plenty of greenspace, plantings and trees to create a restorative and relaxing space.
  • Ensure there are comfortable gathering and meeting space in the new park where park users can spend time alone or with family and friends, while also enjoying plants, flowers and shade from trees.
  • Build a park that is accessible to park users of all ages and abilities, including those with mobility devices, sensory and other special needs.
  • Ensure the park includes space and/or features that appeal to teens, adults and older adults.
  • Build a variety of seating options throughout the park, including some shaded seating, individual seating to allow for quiet activities like reading, group seating to allow for gathering and seating and tables that allows park users to eat comfortably.
  • Provide shade throughout the park, which could include trees, a covered pavilion and umbrellas.
  • Ensure the park is safe by considering the following:
    • Lighting to allow for more evening uses
    • Barriers or buffers (e.g. fences, gates, planters, trees) to prevent children or balls from running onto busy roads
    • Good sightlines and an active edge to see into and through the park
  • Keep the park clean and well maintained by including waste bins, regular park maintenance, graffiti prevention and dog waste bins.
  • Include active park features. Popular preferences included: games tables, playground area and a splash pad
  • Ensure the park design process considers the park’s location in a wind tunnel and proximity to Spadina Avenue, which generates noise in the area.

In this phase of the community engagement process, the project team worked off the outcomes of Community Engagement Phase 1 to develop two design options for the new park. These design options were presented to the community for feedback, which informed the development of a preferred design for the park.

Design Options

Option 1

Artist rendering of park that features a park design with paved tiles underfoot in different shades of grey throughout the park (no grass), a variety of seating including square platform wooden benches without backrests, rectangular wooden benches with backrests, muskoka chairs, and wooden tables with movable metal or plastic chairs with backrests. A variety of plantings and a few ornamental large rocks surround the park in planting beds, including bushes, small flowering trees and evergreen trees. Large deciduous (shade) trees are in planter boxes in the interior of the park.
Artist rendering of Design Option 1.
Site plan for design option 1 for the new park, with numbered labels showing the features and amenities. Top right quadrant includes angular planting beds, mulch around trees in planting bed, seating with intermittent backrests, seating with intermittent armrests, and wood benches along the edges of the planting beds. Bottom right quadrant includes rectangular planting beds, mulch around trees in planting beds, lounge seating, and bike share parking. Bottom left quadrant of the site plan includes seating with intermittent backrests, seating with intermittent armrests, wood benches, long rectangular planting bed, raised granite planter, and an area with fitness equipment. Top left quadrant includes square planting bed, mulch around tree in planting bed, and bottle refill station. In the centre of the site map, it includes wood benches and raised granite planter. Throughout the park design is permeable paving wherever there are no planting beds.
Proposed site plan for Design Option 1.
  1. Permeable paving
  2. Lounge seating
  3. Wood bench
  4. Planting bed
  5. Bike share
  6. Raised granite planter
  7. Mulch around tree in planting bed
  8. Intermittent backrest
  9. Intermittent armrest
  10. Fitness equipment
  11. Bottle refill station

Option 2

Artist rendering of park that features a park design with permeable paving underfoot in different pastel shades on a curved pathway leading into an area that is covered with three overlapping shade structures in different bright colours, and low circular tables with movable chairs. There is low fencing around planting beds on either side of the pathway that feature a variety of flowers, bushes, ornamental grasses, a large shade tree, and a large ornamental rock. Long, curved wooden benches face the area with the shade structures and conform to the curves of the planting beds. Evergreen trees and small flowering trees surround are at the perimeter of the park.
Artist rendering of Design Option 2.
Site plan for design option 1 for the new park, with numbered labels showing the features and amenities. Top right and top left quadrants include curved planting beds, and mulch around trees in planting beds. Bottom right quadrant includes curved planting bed, mulch around tree in planting beds, water misting poles, and bike share parking. Bottom left quadrant includes curved planting bed, mulch around tree in planting bed, and in-ground trampoline. Throughout the site plan, it includes permeable paving for the curved, wide walkways. In the centre of the site plan, it includes shade structure, and curved wood benches that hug the curved planting beds.
Proposed site plan for Design Option 2.
  1. Permeable paving
  2. Misting poles (decorative water feature)
  3. Shade structure
  4. Wood bench
  5. Planting bed
  6. Bike share
  7. Mulch around tree in planting bed
  8. Intermittent backrest
  9. Intermittent armrest
  10. In-ground trampoline

Community Engagement Meetings and Events

December 2023

In-Person Community Pop-Up Event

On December 12, the project team collected feedback about the two design options with display boards and conversations with Indigenous community members at an event hosted by the City’s Indigenous Affairs Office, held at the Native Canadian Centre. Approximately 36 people attended the event.

October 2023

In-Person Community Pop-Up Event

On October 3, the project team hosted a community pop-up event at the park site with over 75 community members. Display boards with the two design options (with a few new features) were set up and community members shared their design preferences with sticky dots or wrote comments on sticky notes. The project team was available to collect feedback and answer questions.

Overall, design option 2 was preferred.

Summary feedback for design option 1 included:

  • Too much concrete and paving
  • Increase green areas with more trees and plants
  • Liked the open space and the opportunity for gathering/socializing
  • Liked that there are a lot of seating options
  • Adult fitness area (new feature) was not preferred

Summary feedback for design option 2 included:

  • Liked the curved design and plantings
  • More trees, native plants, and wildflowers to support pollinators
  • Ensure plantings for all seasons, including winter
  • More seating with options for privacy,  gathering, picnicking, shade, and backrests
  • Preferred shade trees over shade structure
  • Features should be more natural (not metal or plastic)
  • Trampoline (new feature) strongly disliked
  • Ensure good coverage from noisy street and wind
  • Consider chess tables and lighting

Indigenous placekeeping:

  • Important consideration when designing the park
  • Many Indigenous residents, groups and organizations are near the park
  • Recognition that “Spadina” originates from the word “Ishpadinaa” (meaning “place on a hill” or “high place/ridge” in Ojibwe)
  • Consider medicinal or other plantings important to Indigenous peoples

September 2023

Online Survey

From August 16 to September 15, an online survey collected feedback from 151 community members on the draft design options for the new park.

Overall, 62 per cent preferred design option 2, 25 per cent preferred design option 1, 11 per cent preferred neither, and two per cent did not know.  Overall, respondents want a park that is more natural with more trees, plants, and shade.

When asked specifically about design option 1:

  • 39 per cent said that the open lawn areas for flexible use were sufficient
  • 43 per cent said that the new trees and plantings were sufficient
  • 44 per cent liked the pathway layout,including entrances, connections and “sleek/angular” form
  • 67 per cent liked the proposed location of the seating
  • 65 per cent liked the proposed location of the planting beds
  • 68 per cent said that the seating options were sufficient

When asked specifically about design option 2:

  • 55 per cent said that the open lawn areas for flexible use were sufficient
  • 68 per cent said that the new trees and plantings were sufficient
  • 65 per cent liked the size, layout and location of the shade structure
  • 63 per cent said that the seating options were sufficient
  • 71 per cent liked the proposed location of the seating
  • 82 per cent liked the proposed location of the planting beds
  • 81 per cent liked the pathway layout, including entrances, connections and the curved form

Of the park amenities presented, the overall ranking in the order of most preferred to least preferred were:

  1. wood benches
  2. planting beds
  3. shade structures
  4. adult-oriented space
  5. dynamic seating
  6. water feature
  7. youth oriented space
  8. games tables
  9. fitness area/equipment

When asked about specific features:

  • 60 per cent did not want a fitness area or equipment in the park
  • 69 per cent want a water feature (e.g. misting station or decorative fountain)
  • 72 per cent liked wood benches, 56 per cent liked tables with an umbrella, and 51 per cent liked lounge seating

August 2023

In-Person Community Pop-Up Events

On August 15 and August 21, the project team hosted community pop-up events at the Spadina Road Toronto Public Library, and at the southeast corner of Bloor Street and Spadina Avenue. Over 100 community members provided feedback on the design options for the new park. Display boards with the two design options were set up and community members shared their preferences for their preferred design with comments on sticky notes. The project team was available to collect feedback and answer questions.

Overall, design option 2 was preferred. Words that participants used to describe why they liked design option 2 included: organic, softer, natural, playful, rounded, curved, rest, nature, green, plants, lushness, less paving, colours, oasis, vibrant, flow, positive, welcoming, bright. Participants did not like option 1 as much because of the lack of green or natural elements, too much paving, and a general feeling of being too industrial/angular. Participants mentioned the park should be inclusive for different groups: all ages, people with disabilities, children, students, adults, seniors, dogs.

Other common comments about design option 1:

  • Add more trees, shrubs, and native plantings.
  • Liked that there is a lot of seating available; preference for seating that allows gathering in groups, and more seating with shade and backrests.
  • Liked the open space, wider pathways for accessibility, and that the open space allows for socializing/gathering/events.
  • Liked the shade trees; would like more shade structures and trees

Other common comments about design option 2 are grouped into the themes below:

  • Shade:
    • use other materials for shade structure that look more natural such as wood; preference for more trees
  • Trees and plants:
    • native plants to attract pollinators, birds, wildlife
    • flowers that will bloom throughout all growing seasons
    • native trees: maple, cedar, birch, pine
    • year-round landscape, including winter interest
  • Seating:
    • like curved seating
    • prefer non-movable furniture
  • Privacy and noise:
    • prefer this design for privacy
    • consider noise on Spadina Avenue and wind on Sussex Avenue
    • more visual screening since it’s next to Spadina Avenue
  • Water:
    • drinking water fountain and bottle filling station
    • drinking water for dogs
    • direct storm water to planted areas
  • Accessibility and safety:
    • use accessible universal design
    • ensure accessible pathways and seating
    • add lighting
  • Indigenous placekeeping:
    • need to recognize local history and Indigenous presence
    • incorporate medicine wheel circle
    • importance of native plants and trees

During earlier engagement, the community expressed a desire for Indigenous placekeeping elements to be part of the new park design. In response, the project team is working with an Indigenous design consultant to incorporate these elements.

In this phase of engagement, the City shared the preferred design, including the proposed Indigenous placekeeping elements, with Indigenous community members for their feedback.

The result of this phase is a refined preferred design for the park. The project will move into the detailed design phase, where the design team will finalize technical details and drawings for the construction contractor.

Preferred Design

Hardscape

A rendered plan of the proposed hardscape materials for the 51 Sussex Parkette which shows the paving, seating, drinking fountain, and boulders.

  1. Permeable paving
  2. Wood bench
  3. Wood deck
  4. Table and chairs
  5. Waste receptacle
  6. Drinking fountain
  7. Boulders

Softscape

A rendered plan of the proposed softscape materials for the 51 Sussex Parkette design which shows the location of the shade trees and native plant material.

  1. Trees
  2. Wind break tree planting
  3. Native plant material shrub bed

Community Engagement Meetings and Events

July 2024

In-Person Indigenous Sharing Circle

On July 23, thirteen people participated in an Indigenous Sharing Circle (ISC) at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. where the project team shared the preferred design for the new park and the proposed Indigenous placekeeping elements. The ISC was promoted through outreach to mainly local Indigenous community groups and organizations. The ISC included a presentation,  discussion period and lunch.

Download the July 23, 2024 ISC presentation.

Indigenous design elements presented are proposals only. The project team is still exploring whether the proposed elements are possible.

Feedback Summary

The most common feedback highlighted the need for respectful representation of Indigenous languages, as well as the inclusion of native plantings and ongoing stewardship/care. Additional comments included:
Parks should be self-sustainable and support wildlife.

  • Satisfaction with the overall park design.
  • Support for more places to sit and gather in the neighbourhood. A good amount of seating options are presented in the design.
  • Create youth programs or partner with existing youth groups to maintain the plantings in the park (community stewardship/care of the park).
  • Birch is a good choice of tree as it provides light shade (rather than dense shade) to allow light to filter through to plants underneath. Supportive of plant choices included in the design.
  • Provide Indigenous names for medicinal plants/plantings in the park on signage, along with common names.
  • Honour Anishinaabemowin (Anishinaabe language) in the park. Greater visibility for and inclusion of Anishinaabe peoples and culture.
  • Make sure terms and cultural references are accurate and respectful. E.g., referring to First Nations as “Nation” and not “Tribe.” One participant suggested that “Huron” was a derogatory term imposed on the Wendat Nation.
  • Give credit for Indigenous languages and names used so that it honours the teaching and where it came from. E.g., on signage, printed materials and presentations.
  • Satisfaction with the low-impact design of the park, the permeable paving and native plant material.

A map showing the location of the new park with a pink star. The park is located on the south side of Sussex Avenue, north of Harbord Street and just west of Spadina Avenue.