The Relic Linear Park System is a community-led vision that features architectural relic stones and Indigenous artwork within the Grange Park neighbourhood. The park system is guided by the Grange Green Plan and Relic Park Prospectus. It will include two new parks, one on St. Patrick Street – south of Dundas Street West – and one on the northeast corner of Dundas Street West and McCaul Street. The parks will connect the linear park system to Campbell House Museum to the south, with the gateway or endpoint of the system at Dundas Street West and McCaul Street.

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  • 2021: Hire design team
  • 2022 to early 2024: Community engagement and design development
  • 2024: Detailed design
  • Early 2025: Construction starts
  • 2025: Construction complete, parks open

This timeline is subject to change.

Park Naming

These parks do not have names yet. At the end of the design process, parks are often given names that describe the park’s features or location (e.g. Princess Street Park). These names, developed by City staff, make it easy for residents to identify and locate parks in their neighbourhoods and around the city.

Alternatively, community members can develop and submit proposals for a commemorative park name before the end of the park design process. A proposal to give a park a commemorative name instead of a location-based name is first reviewed by City staff and then needs to be approved by Community Council.

Visit Property Naming to learn more and submit a commemorative property name.

Level of Engagement

This project has been classified as an Involve project based on the International Association of 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.

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March 2024

Online Survey

From February 20 to March 10, an online survey collected feedback on the proposed design for each park.

Download the March 2024 survey summary.

December 2023

In-Person Community Pop-Up Events with Indigenous Communities

On November 29 and December 12, approximately 26 Indigenous community members participated in one of two in-person pop-up events where the draft designs for the two new parks were shared. Some participants simply came to learn about the new parks, some indicated their preferences on pop-up boards, and others provided verbal or written comments. The first pop-up was held at Native Child and Family Services of Toronto and the second pop-up was held at Native Canadian Centre of Toronto.

Feedback Summary: New Park on St. Patrick St.
  • Six participants indicated there was the right amount of trees and plantings included, 10 indicated there was not enough, and no participants indicated there were too many
  • 10 participants indicated there was the right amount of shade included, two participants indicated there was not enough, and none of the participants indicated there was too much
  • 13 participants indicated there was the right amount of seating included, three participants indicated there was not enough and no participants indicated there was too much
  • Nine participants were satisfied with the type of seating and five were not satisfied
  • Five participants indicated there was the right balance between Indigenous and settler colonial relics and three indicated there was not
  • Eight participants were satisfied with the flexible space provided for community events and one was not satisfied
  • 12 participants liked the draft design a little or a lot, one participant was neutral and no participants disliked it
  • Participants most frequently commented that there should be a small/enclosed area for kids and dogs, cedar trees and medicinal plants, totem poles and other Indigenous carvings
  • Participants also commented that the park should include an accessible seat and avoid tripping hazards for people viewing the stage
Feedback Summary: New Park on Dundas St. W.
  • 11 participants indicated there was the right amount of trees and plantings, three indicated there were not enough and no participants indicated there were too many
  • 13 participants indicated there was the right amount of seating, one indicated there was not enough and no participants indicated there was too much
  • 11 participants were satisfied with the type of seating provided and one was not satisfied
  • Seven participants indicated there was the right balance between Indigenous and settler colonial relics and four indicated there was not
  • 13 participants were satisfied with how the Mohawk Skywalkers story is incorporated into the design and no participants were unsatisfied
  • Eight participants were satisfied with the small impromptu event space and one was not satisfied
  • 11 participants liked the draft design a little or a lot, one was neutral and one disliked it a little

November 2023

Online Survey

From October 19 to November 12, an online survey collected feedback from community members on the draft designs for the two new parks. In total, the survey received 283 responses from 321 participants of various ages and backgrounds. Ten respondents identified as First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Aboriginal or Native.

Feedback Summary: New Park on St. Patrick St.
  • 55 per cent liked the draft design a little or a lot, 28 per cent disliked it a little or a lot and 18 per cent of respondents were neutral
  • 64 per cent indicated there were not enough trees and plantings, 34 per cent of indicated there was the right amount and two per cent indicated there were too many
  • 56 per cent indicated there was not enough shade, 38 per cent indicated there was the right amount and three per cent indicated there was too much
  • 56 per cent indicated there was the right amount of seating, 35 per cent indicated there was not enough and six per cent indicated there was too much
  • 65 per cent were satisfied with the type of seating and 33 per cent were not satisfied
  • 68 per cent indicated there was the right balance between Indigenous and settler colonial relics, 19 per cent chose not to answer and 13 per cent indicated there was not
  • 75 per cent were satisfied with the flexible space for community events, 17 per cent were not satisfied and eight per cent chose not to answer
  • Respondents frequently commented that there should be more grass, trees and other plants, there should be more seating options, including more comfortable and supportive seating and the columns should be removed from the design
  • Respondents also commented that there should be more shade options and the park should be more dog-friendly
Feedback Summary for Indigenous Respondents: New Park on St. Patrick St.
  • 60 per cent liked the draft design a little or a lot, 30 per cent disliked it a lot and ten per cent were neutral
  • 80 per cent indicated there were not enough trees and plantings and 20 per cent indicated there was the right amount
  • 60 per cent indicated there was not enough shade, 30 per cent indicated there was the right amount and ten per cent indicated there was too much
  • 60 per cent indicated there was the right amount of seating, 30 per cent indicated there was not enough and ten per cent indicated there was too much
  • 60 per cent were satisfied with the type of seating and 40 per cent were not satisfied
  • 50 per cent indicated there was the right balance between Indigenous and settler colonial relics, 40 per cent indicated there was not and 10 per cent chose not to answer
  • 80 per cent were satisfied with the flexible space for community events and 20 per cent were not satisfied
  • Indigenous respondents commented that there should be more green and usable space, less concrete, a community garden and an off-leash area
Feedback Summary: New Park on Dundas St. W.
  • 60 per cent liked the draft design a little or a lot, 24 per cent disliked it a little or a lot and 15 per cent were neutral
  • 57 per cent indicated there were not enough trees and plantings, 39 per cent indicated there was the right amount and two per cent indicated there were too many
  • 62 per cent indicated there was the right amount of seating, 27 per cent indicated there was not enough and nine per cent indicated there was too much
  • 65 per cent were satisfied with the type of seating in the design and 31 per cent were not satisfied
  • 66 per cent indicated there was the right balance between Indigenous and settler colonial relics, 18 per cent chose not to answer and 15 per cent indicated there was not
  • 72 per cent were satisfied with how the Mohawk Skywalkers story is incorporated into the design, 16 per cent chose not to answer and 12 per cent were not satisfied
  • 66 per cent were satisfied with the small impromptu event space (e.g. for busking), 24 per cent were not satisfied and 10 per cent of respondents chose not to answer
  • Respondents most frequently commented that there should be more plantings and less concrete in the design, there should be more comfortable and supportive seating and there should be fewer design elements or ideas incorporated into the park
  • Respondents also commented that the small impromptu event space should be removed, there should be more shade options and there should be regular park maintenance
Feedback Summary for Indigenous Respondents: New Park on Dundas St. W.
  • 70 per cent liked the draft design a little or a lot, 20 per cent disliked it a little or a lot and 10 per cent were neutral
  • 60 per cent indicated there were not enough trees and plantings, 40 per cent indicated there was the right amount and no one indicated there were too many
  • 40 per cent indicated there was the right amount of seating, 40 per cent indicated there was not enough and 20 per cent indicated there was too much
  • 70 per cent were satisfied with the type of seating in the design and 30 per cent were not satisfied
  • 60 per cent indicated there was the right balance between Indigenous and settler colonial relics, 20 per cent indicated there was not and 20 per cent chose not to answer
  • 90 per cent were satisfied with how the Mohawk Skywalkers story is incorporated into the design and 10 per cent were not satisfied
  • 70 per cent were satisfied with the small impromptu event space (e.g. for busking) and 30 per cent were not satisfied
  • Indigenous respondents commented that the park should be accessible to all, including service animals, and there should be more green space, a community garden, running water and seating for Elders

October 2023

In-Person Community Pop-Up Events

On October 23 and October 28, the project team hosted in-person pop-up events (three total) with approximately 70 community members. The draft designs for the two new parks were presented. Some participants came to learn about the new parks, some indicated their preferences on pop-up boards and others provided verbal or written comments. The first pop-up was at Queen St. W. near Simcoe St., the second pop-up was at Grange Parkand the third pop-up was at Dundas St. W. near McCaul St.

Feedback Summary: New Park on St. Patrick St.
  • 17 participants indicated there were enough trees and plantings, 17 indicated there were not enough and no participants indicated there were too many
  • 16 participants indicated there was enough shade, nine indicated there was not enough and one indicated there was too much
  • 17 participants indicated there was enough seating, 13 indicated there was not enough and no one indicated there was too much
  • 18 participants were satisfied with the type of seating provided and six were not satisfied
  • 11 participants indicated there was the right balance between Indigenous and settler colonial relics and seven indicated there was not
  • 13 participants were satisfied with the flexible space provided for community events and four were not satisfied
  • 30 participants liked the draft design a little or a lot, six were neutral and two disliked it a little or a lot
  • Participants most frequently commented that there should be more trees and plants, including a greater variety, more Indigenous artwork and interpretive signage, more seating options, including benches with backrests, less paving and concrete and the columns should be more colourful and natural
  • Participants also commented that the playground should be accessible and the spaces under trees should be wheelchair accessible
Feedback Summary: New Park on Dundas St. W.
  • 24 participants indicated there was the right amount of trees and plantings, nine indicated there were not enough and no participants indicated there were too many
  • 26 participants indicated there was the right amount of seating included, three indicated there was not enough and one indicated there was too much
  • 18 participants were satisfied with the type of seating and four were not satisfied
  • 18 participants indicated there was the right balance between Indigenous and settler colonial relics and five indicated there was not
  • 14 participants were satisfied with how the Mohawk Skywalkers story is incorporated into the design and no participants were unsatisfied
  • 13 participants were satisfied with the small impromptu event space and four were not satisfied
  • 26 participants liked the draft design a little or a lot, four participants were neutral and two participants disliked it a little
  • Participants most frequently commented that there should be benches with backrests and armrests, more Indigenous artwork, interpretive signage that contains information about the artwork as well as local Indigenous and Chinese history and heritage as well as native and medicinal plants
  • Participants also commented there should be enough space between column seats to ensure accessibility and the park should be well-lit to ensure safety

September to October 2022

In-Person Community Pop-Up Events

The project team hosted two in-person pop-up events, one at Cecil Community Centre on September 20, and one at Grange Park on October 5. The goal was to provide an opportunity for community members to ask questions and share their ideas and vision for the new parks. The Cecil Community Centre facilitated the outreach to Asian-Canadian communities. The Grange Park event was set up near the playground in order to gather insights from parents and children.

Download the September and October 2022 pop-up summary.

August 2022

Online Survey

From July 25 to August 7, an online survey received 501 responses from community members on the visions for each park.

Download the August 2022 survey summary.

A new 1000 m2 park (about the size of two tennis courts) is coming to St. Patrick Street, south of Dundas Street West. The park will connect to Simcoe Street through a Privately-Owned Publicly Accessible Space (POPs).

Park Vision and Big Moves

The park vision and big moves were developed based on Community Engagement Phase 1 feedback, and considersthe available budget, site conditions, and operational requirements for the parks.

Vision

The new parks on St. Patrick Street and Dundas Street West will be part of the Relic Linear Park System, reflecting the community-led and Community Council-approved Grange Green Plan. Reflecting this plan, the parks will incorporate both functional and decorative hand-carved, repurposed, stone relics from Toronto’s more recent settler colonial architectural history. Relic-themed artworks by Indigenous artists will be incorporated to reflect the ongoing and historic presence of Indigenous peoples on these lands since time immemorial. The parks will provide lush, green, and calm spaces with a variety of seating areas where community members can sit, relax, connect with others, and reflect on our rapidly changing city.

Big Moves

  1. Incorporate native trees and plantings, to create a lush greenspace with shade.
  2. Include plentiful seating opportunities of various styles, including tables.
  3. Incorporate a feature sculpture by Anishinaabe artist Michael Belmore.
  4. Incorporate repurposed settler colonial architectural relics in both functional and decorative ways throughout the park.
  5. Provide flexible space that can be used for community events.

Draft Designs

The design reflects the project vision and big moves.

Rendering of the proposed final design for the new park on St. Patrick Street, looking southeast from St. Patrick Street Rendering of the proposed final design for the new park on St. Patrick Street, looking east from the southern park entrance on St. Patrick Street. Site plan for the new park on St. Patrick Street, with numbers corresponding to the legend.

Legend

  1. Stage
  2. Sculpture by Michael Belmore (Anishinaabe artist)
  3. Wave paving
  4. Architectural relics:
    1. Floral mantels
    2. Fluted columns
    3. Shell basic
    4. Short scrolls
    5. Long scrolls
    6. Lion’s column
  5. Benches with backs and armrest
  6. Electrical connection for events
  7. Water bottle filler
  8. Garbage bins
  9. Electrical panel
  10. Interpretive signage
  11. Planting:
    1. White pine
    2. Birch trees
    3. Native grasses
    4. Red cedar
    5. Native planting
    6. Aspen trees
  12. Café tables with game top and chairs

Orange lines indicate linear bench seating.

Red dots indicate pole lighting.

Sculpture by Indigenous Artist by Michael Belmore

Rendering of sculpture detail
Michael Belmore Preliminary Sculpture Design.

Rendering of the new park with the sculpture design along the side of a stone bench

Mishibizhiig: The Underwater Panther

Artist statement by Michael Belmore, Anishinaabe artist
agwaayaashkaa – waves come ashore

Liminal sites, such as shorelines that mark the threshold between opposing elements of water, and the earth and sky – like liminal states of beings, as in the dream between sleep and awake – are spiritually active places.

In the Anishinaabe world view, the universe is understood to be comprised of layers. Divided into contrasting upper and lower worlds and zones of power, this tiered cosmos is animated by the ongoing and reciprocal interaction of beings and persons both natural and spiritual. The mishibizhiig – the underwater panthers – reside in the lower realms of water. With lynx-like bodies, metallic scales, horns, and the tail of a serpent, mishibizhiig rule the lakes, rivers, caves, and deep crevices in the earth.

Blending the stone traditions of Ojibway and European cultures, the carved figures are meant to be reminiscent of stone gargoyles and grotesques from western architecture. As ancestor Anishinaabe artists would paint narrative images of underwater panthers and beings on cliff faces along the shoreline, so too do these carved figures preside and guard over what lies below.

The artwork will comprise of granite blocks with hand carved bas-relief images of several mishibizhiig. The mostly black granite that forms the sculpture will be sourced from within Canada. The use of granite is intended to create a contrast from the other carved relics found within the project, granite compared to limestone or sandstone.

A new 261 m2 park (about ¾ of a basketball court in size) is coming to the northeast intersection of Dundas Street West at McCaul Street. There will be a small Privately-Owned Publicly Accessible Spaces (POPs) connected to the east of the park. The new park is planned to be the gateway into the larger Relic Linear Park System.

Park Vision and Big Moves

The park vision and big moves were developed based on Community Engagement Phase 1 feedback and considers the available budget, site conditions, and operational requirements for the parks.

Vision

The new parks on St. Patrick Street and Dundas Street West will be part of the Relic Linear Park System, reflecting the community-led and Community Council-approved Grange Green Plan. Reflecting this plan, the parks will incorporate both functional and decorative hand-carved, repurposed, stone relics from Toronto’s more recent settler colonial architectural history. Relic-themed artworks by Indigenous artists will be incorporated to reflect the ongoing and historic presence of Indigenous peoples on these lands since time immemorial. The parks will provide lush, green, and calm spaces with a variety of seating areas where community members can sit, relax, connect with others, and reflect on our rapidly changing city.

Big Moves

  1. Incorporate native trees and plantings, to create a lush greenspace with shade.
  2. Include plentiful seating opportunities of various styles, including tables.
  3. Incorporate a feature artwork by Jay Havens, artist and citizen of the Mohawk, Bear Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River.
  4. Celebrate stories of ‘Skywalkers’, Mohawk (Haudenosaunee) iron workers and immigrant laborers who created the structures that hold up Toronto’s built form.
  5. Incorporate repurposed settler colonial architectural relics in both functional and decorative ways throughout the park.
  6. Provide opportunities for small impromptu events, such as busking.

Draft Designs

The design reflects the project vision and big moves. The inspiration for this park is an outdoor gallery.

Large art frames composed of steel I-Beams showcase the architectural relic pieces. The I-beams serve to highlight the invisible frames supporting Toronto’s buildings and acknowledge those who built them. This includes Mohawk (Haudenosaunee) iron workers, who for over a century were renowned for their bravery and skill in the construction of numerous buildings. The I-beams assembled by Mohawk ‘Skywalkers’ as well as immigrant laborers created the structures that hold up Toronto’s built form, possibly, even the buildings from which the relics belonged.

Illuminated Indigenous Public Art by Jay Havens is reminiscent of Mohawk pottery. The artwork incorporates traditional patterning that will be cut into the feature to allow for light to escape, creating a beacon of light and a focal point for the park design.

Rendering of the proposed final design, with a view north from Dundas Street West. ite plan for the new park at Dundas Street West and McCaul Street, including numbers corresponding with the legend

Legend

  1. Illuminated Indigenous Art By Jay Havens
  2. Reflective screen (five feet high)
  3. Raised planter with trees
  4. Steel I-Beam frames with relic stones within
  5. Café tables with game top and chairs
  6. Water bottle filler
  7. Lighting
  8. Long wooden bench with back and armrest
  9. Striped park paving
  10. Public sidewalk
  11. Garbage receptacle
  12. Interpretive signage
  13. Relic column stools

Orange lines indicate linear bench seating.

Relics
  1. Scrolls
  2. Floral stone
  3. Fish scale
  4. Floral slab/ interpretive signage
  5. Large florette
  6. Lion’s heads
  7. Mixed corner pieces and slabs
  8. Column pieces

Illuminated Indigenous Art by Jay Havens

A preliminary rendering of Jay Haven’s illuminated art piece. This art piece is proposed to be an aluminum light feature that is reminiscent of Mohawk pottery. The piece incorporates traditional patterning that will be cut into the feature to allow for light to escape, creating a beacon of light, and a focal point for the park design. On the left is the piece in isolation. On the right is the piece in the park, atop a square plinth in a planting bed, with a mirrored wall behind it.
Rendering of Jay Haven’s illuminated artwork.

Artist Statement by Jay Havens, artist and citizen of the Mohawk Bear Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River

Visitors to the 292 Dundas Park will be drawn to this beautiful structure of geometric designs; a kind of shadow box. During the daylight hours, the steel frame with aluminum insets offers shade while designs move across the pavement painting the land with Indigenous art and designs. For half of the year sunset is early in Tkaronto and that is when this artwork begins to shine. An immersive space is created using light and patterns reminiscent of Mohawk pottery once the sun goes down and this artwork becomes a beacon of light. This lighting opportunity will continue to lay patterns on the trees and surroundings in beautiful ways while keeping the park bright in the evening.

The idea of casting pottery designs over the land and possibly even the relics that are present within the park acts as a way to Indigenize the space and the relic objects themselves using patterns and shapes which exist long into the past and also the present Indigenous culture of the city. The experience of walking through relic park will work to re-territorialize and build relationship between the public and the Indigenous understanding of land that they are walking on. By having them interact with pottery in their immediate physical environment they are looking at forms which have come from the literal clay the city of Tkaronto is built on.

This artwork is an opportunity to forward the art form, not using pottery directly but using cutting edge technology to create a rendering of the older patterns, casting a meaningful juxtapositioning with the present day park design and the inclusion of colonial relics.

The Relic Park Linear System is guided by the Grange Green Plan and the Relic Park Prospectus, which outline the project context, vision, and goals for enhancing and creating new green spaces in the Grange Park neighbourhood.

The vision for the Relic Linear Park System was ignited by community voices and developed in partnership with The Grange Community Association (GCA) and the Campbell House Museum. The City will use these guiding documents to inform the project as it progresses.

If relic pieces or artwork are damaged and pose a safety issue, they will be removed from the park and will not be replaced due to the bespoke nature of the pieces.

Indigenous Placekeeping

Through conversations with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, it was brought to the City’s attention that the architectural relic fragments, stones, and sculptures come from a period when Toronto was created through colonization by European settlers and these pieces are remnants of early colonialism. Acknowledging this, the City put out a call to hire Indigenous artist(s)/designer(s) to work as part of the larger design teams and incorporate Indigenous perspectives and history to the parks. Indigenous artists have been hired onto each park design team and Indigenous artworks are included in the park designs.

Background

The Grange Green Plan – July 2018

The Grange Green Plan, prepared in partnership with the GCA and the local Councillor, creates an action plan to maximize green space in the Grange Park neighbourhood by recognizing the importance of finding opportunities to enhance existing green spaces and identifying opportunities for creating new ones. The purpose of the Grange Green Plan is to improve public green space, enhance private greening efforts, and contribute to the City’s environmental and climate change agenda, improving both human and ecosystem health within the Grange Park community.

The plan was considered by Toronto and East York Community Council on July 4, 2018 and was adopted without amendments.

Key priorities of the plan include:

  • Increase and sustain green space
  • Establish green space connectivity
  • Increase tree canopy size and health
  • Improve storm water drainage
  • Improve habitat for pollinators
  • Reduce water, air and noise pollution

Relic Park Prospectus – May 2019

The Relic Park Prospectus, prepared in partnership with the local Councillor’s Office, the GCA and Campbell House Museum, outlines a further vision and approach to the public realm enhancements and new parks that integrate architectural relics through a new green corridor in the Grange Park neighbourhood. The project proposal also includes potential design details, and site-specific schematic designs for various public spaces proposed within the park system.