The City is adding a new skate spot and an accessible pathway at Elizabeth Simcoe Park as part of the Parks and Recreation Facilities plan and the Skateboard Strategy. The skate spot will include select features such as ledges and railings, strategically placed to provide an introductory yet engaging skateboarding experience.

No trees will be removed as part of this project, and the project team will work around all existing trees. If this changes, or if a tree is deemed to be in poor condition and requires removal, all removed trees will be replaced at a 3:1 ratio, and a permit will also be required to ensure the replacements are properly accounted for.

  • Fall 2024: Community engagement (online survey)
  • Winter 2025: Hire a Design-Build team
  • Spring/Summer 2025: Community engagement (online survey)
  • Fall 2025: Detailed design
  • Spring 2026: Construction starts
  • Summer 2026: Construction complete, skate spot opens

The timeline is subject to change.

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January 2025

The project scope has been updated based on community feedback received through the online survey and emails to the project team. Feedback indicated a strong preference for a poured-in-place (PIP) concrete skate spot over the proposed modular skate spot due to its longevity, increased safety and reduced noise. The project team will work with a design-build consulting team to custom design a PIP skate spot for this location. An additional public survey will be shared with the local community to gather input on the updated design.

In addition, concerns were raised about the accessibility of the park’s existing tennis courts. In response, the City will add a new accessible pathway to the tennis courts.

The project timeline has been updated to reflect these changes.

December 2024

Online Survey

From November 19 to December 1, an online survey received 277 submissions providing feedback on multiple skate spot design options. The survey was promoted through paid social media ads, outreach to nearby schools, the local Councillor’s office, on-site signage and on this page.

The design team will use this feedback to refine the final skate spot design. The final design will be available on this page in spring 2025.

Key Feedback

When asked to rank their skate spot design preference, respondents ranked Skate Spot Design C highest (40 per cent) followed by Skate Spot Design B (33 per cent) and Skate Spot Design A (27 per cent).

Respondents were asked to rank the features of the skate spot from favourite to least favourite. Respondents shared that the three most important features to include in the new skate spot are:

  • mini half pipe
  • quarter pipe
  • ramp

Respondents shared that the three least important features to include in the new skate spot are:

  • gap
  • ledge
  • rail

Respondents were asked how the flat area and skate features should be organized:

  • 14 per cent said the flat open area should be centrally located with the skate features along the perimeter
  • 26 per cent said the flat open area should be on one side of the skate spot with the skate features on the other side
  • 18 per cent said the flat open area should be situated along the perimeter with the skate features centrally located
  • 31 per cent said they like any of the options described above
  • 11 per cent said ‘other’ and were asked to describe:
    • There were eight comments stating they were not in favour of a skate spot
    • There were four comments stating the skate spot should be larger
    • There was one comments stating a concrete poured-in-place skate spot is preferable
    • There was one comment stating the area should have a basketball court instead of a skate spot

Respondents were asked if budget permits, were there any other features or elements they’d like the City to consider for the skate spot:

  • 51 per cent said no
  • 49 per cent said yes and were asked to describe these features or elements:
    • There were 34 comments requesting additional skate amenities, including:
      • 11 comments requesting a larger space to be dedicated to the skate spot
      • seven comments requesting a pump track
      • six comments requesting a bowl
      • five comments stating a concrete poured-in-place skate spot is preferable
      • three comments each requesting a water fountain, shaded area(s), skate pyramids and stairs
      • two comments each requesting a manual pad, slappy curb, and lighting in the park
    • 11 comments requesting supporting amenities for the skate spot, including:
      • six comments requesting greater safety measures and increased signage with skate spot hours and rules
      • five comments requesting more seating
    • 11 comments requesting other amenities for the park, including:
      • seven comments requesting a permanent washroom facility
      • four comments requesting an artificial-ice-rink (AIR) adjacent to the skate spot
    • Eight comments stating they were not in favour of a skate spot

Additionally, four emails were received stating they were not in favour of a skate spot, and three emails were received stating they are in favour of the skate spot but would like to see it be larger, and one email was received requesting the skate spot to be poured-in-place concrete as opposed to modular.

Skate Spot Options

All three designs have the same amount of skate features and cost the same amount.

Skate Spot Design A

An aerial view of Skate Spot Design A looking to the southeast from the northwest. From the lower left to the upper right, it includes a snap deck bank ramp, concrete pad, round bar grind rail, manual pad with grind ledge, concrete planter, and quarter pipe.

Design A includes:

  1. concrete pad
  2. manual pad with grind ledge
  3. quarter pipe
  4. round bar grind rail
  5. “snap” deck bank ramp
  6. concrete planter
  7. existing pathway
Skate Spot Design B

An aerial view of Skate Spot Design B looking to the southeast from the northwest. From the lower left to the upper right, it includes a quarter pipe and stage to bank ramp, round bar kinked grind rail, concrete pad, round bar grind rail, grind ledge, and quarter pipe.

Design B includes:

  1. concrete pad
  2. grind ledge
  3. quarter pipe
  4. round bar grind rail
  5. quarter pipe and stage to bank ramp
  6. round bar kinked grind rail
  7. existing pathway
Skate Spot Design C

An aerial view of Skate Spot Design C looking to the southeast from the northwest. From the lower left to the upper right, it includes a quarter pipe, concrete pad, flat bar and kinked grind rail, wedge flat wedge with grind ledge, round bar grind rail, and a bank ramp.

Design C includes:

  1. concrete pad
  2. flat bar kinked grind rail
  3. bank ramp
  4. wedge flat wedge with grind ledge
  5. quarter pipe
  6. round bar grind rail
  7. existing pathway

A skate spot is a small-scale skatepark that includes several skateable structures for activities like skateboarding, inline skating, scootering and more. The Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan reviewed Toronto’s existing skateboarding facilities to determine where new facilities are needed to meet the growing demand for the sport. Parks are selected for new facilities based on a number of factors, including:

  • a lack of existing facilities in the surrounding area
  • the availability of supporting amenities like pathways, lighting, seating, etc.
  • an appropriate buffer from homes and other facilities
  • suitable drainage and other site conditions