New Park at 55B Brock Avenue

A new 330 m2 park is coming to 55B Brock Ave. as a result of residential development project near Brock Avenue and Queen Street West in the Parkdale neighbourhood.

  • November 2024: Hire a design team
  • April 2025: Community Engagement Phase 1
  • May to July 2025: Community Engagement Phase 2 and Detail design
  • July to August 2025: Hire a construction team
  • Summer 2025: Construction starts
  • Fall 2025: Construction complete

The timeline is subject to change.

Level of Engagement

This project has been classified as a Consult project based on the International Association of Public Participation‘s Spectrum. This means we obtain public feedback on existing analysis, alternatives, and/or proposals.

In this phase, the City and its design consultant will present two design options for the new park to the community for feedback. This feedback will be used to develop components and a preferred design for the park.

The community engagement activity in this phase is an online survey.

The anticipated outcome of this phase is the selection of a preferred design.

Community Engagement Meetings and Events

April 2025

Online Survey

From April 15 to April 29, an online survey collected 334 responses with feedback on the draft design options for the new park.

Feedback Summary

47 per cent of respondents preferred Design Option A and 42 per cent preferred Design Option B.

For Design Option A:

  • 87 per cent liked the inclusion of a drinking fountain and bottle filler
  • 77 per cent agreed the single pathway adequately connects with park features and surrounding sidewalks and laneways
  • 70 per cent liked the inclusion of permeable pavers
  • 68 per cent agreed there is enough variation of plants
  • 68 per cent agreed there are enough new trees and planting beds
  • 61 per cent liked the inclusion of a games table (for chess, checkers, etc.)
  • 61 per cent agreed there is enough shade throughout
  • 53 per cent agreed there is enough flexible space, such as the berm (small hill)
  • 34 per cent agreed there are enough seating options throughout and 50 per cent disagreed

For Design Option B:

  • 68 per cent agreed the looped pathway adequately connects with park features and surrounding sidewalks and laneways
  • 63 per cent liked the inclusion of a “stepping stone” pathway design
  • 59 per cent liked the inclusion of a central “rockstep garden” area
  • 58 per cent agreed there is enough flexible space, such as open lawn
  • 58 per cent liked the inclusion of a games table (for chess, checkers, etc.)
  • 61 per cent agreed there is enough variation of plants
  • 61 per cent agreed there are enough new trees and planting beds
  • 57 per cent agreed there is enough shade throughout
  • 37 per cent agreed there are enough seating options throughout and 44 per cent disagreed

The three most important features to include in the new park were benches (73 per cent), shade trees (61 per cent) and a drinking fountain and bottle filler (57 per cent).

The three least important features to include in the new park were a secondary pathway loop (52 per cent), a games table (43 per cent) and a mounded lawn or berm (39 per cent).

71 per cent were very or somewhat satisfied with the design options overall.

68 respondents provided written feedback. The most common feedback included:

  • 16 responses calling for additional seating, including more benches and accessible seating options
  • 16 responses expressing concern that dogs may damage the lawn or planting areas, with some calling for a designated dog relief zone, fencing to protect plantings and a dog waste bag dispenser
  • five responses expressing concern that unhoused people may camp, loiter or sleep in the new park
  • four responses calling for the inclusion of native plant and tree species
  • four responses calling for the inclusion of a drinking fountain with water access for dogs
  • four responses calling for the inclusion of a dog off-leash area
  • three responses calling for additional types of seating, including picnic tables, rock seating and movable furniture
  • three responses calling for the inclusion of fitness equipment, such as pull-up bars, or an area for exercise, such as yoga
  • three responses calling for the inclusion of table tennis or ping pong
Design Option A: Inner Peace PathwayPlan view of design option 1 illustrates a compact urban park layout located east of Brock Avenue. The park is organized with a meandering concrete pathway that leads visitors through a thoughtfully landscaped area with a mix of natural and recreational elements.
  1. Existing Concrete Sidewalk
  2. Armour Stones
  3. Double P-Gates
  4. Park sign
  5. Light pole
  6. Concrete pathway
  7. Waste/recycling bins
  8. Flat lawn area
  9. Permeable pavers
  10. Drinking fountain and bottle filler
  11. Games table (for chess, checkers, etc.)
  12. Planting beds and ornamental trees or shrubs
  13. Bench
  14. Shade trees
  15. Existing trees on adjacent properties
  16. Lawn berm (small hill)
  17. Single P-gate
  18. Existing asphalt laneway
  19. Existing residential building
  20. Existing fence
Design Option B: Rockstep Garden

Plan view of design option B illustrates a small, rectangular urban park located beside Brock Avenue. The park is bordered by existing residential buildings on the north and south sides, with an asphalt laneway along the southeast edge.

  1. Existing concrete sidewalk
  2. Armour stones
  3. Park sign
  4. Double P-gates
  5. Waste/recycling bins
  6. Games table (for chess, checkers, etc.)
  7. Concrete pathway
  8. Light pole
  9. Flat lawn area
  10. Shade trees
  11. Planting beds and ornamental trees or shrubs
  12. Existing trees on adjacent properties
  13. Bench
  14. Open lawn area
  15. Single P-gate
  16. Existing asphalt laneway
  17. Existing residential building
  18. Existing fence

In this phase, the City will share the preferred design with the community for feedback. When the preferred design is confirmed, the project will move into the detailed design phase, where the design team will finalize the preferred design by working through the technical details and developing detailed plans and drawings for the construction contractor.

The community engagement activity in this phase is an online survey.

The anticipated outcome of this phase is a refined preferred design.