A new 700 m2 parkette (about the size of three tennis courts) is coming to 76 Coral Gable Dr. as part of the red oak heritage tree designation under Forests Ontario’s Heritage Tree Program. Due to the existing site limitations and restrictions, community engagement for the parkette design is limited to stakeholder interviews, which will occur when the design is available.
The timeline is subject to change.
Before the existing house is demolished in fall 2025, the permit will be reviewed with Toronto Building and approved by City Council. Tree trimming to remove dead branches is anticipated to take place in November, following restrictions on oak pruning during the growing season (April to October).
A design consultant has been hired and is working with stakeholders to develop design options.
The demolition contractor is currently working with City staff and an arborist to obtain the necessary permits to safely remove the house without harming the nearby heritage tree. A detailed tree protection plan will be created to ensure the tree remains protected throughout the demolition process.
At the same time, the City is in the process of selecting a design consultant to begin planning the new parkette that will be developed once the demolition is complete.
The project team, including arborists, is working on safely removing the existing house on the property without impacting the heritage tree. Due to the tree’s large size, the parkette design will be limited.
On November 26, 2020, City Council joined over 1,300 donors in committing to the preservation and celebration of the historic red oak tree. Council adopted Option B of MM26.9 authorizing the purchase of the property for the creation of a parkette.