Sumach-Shuter Parkette Improvements

The parkette is closed for improvements until September 2024.

The City is redesigning Sumach-Shuter Parkette to better serve the local community. Our goal is to make park improvements to enhance local recreation and leisure opportunities while maintaining the green character of the park and protecting existing trees to the greatest extent possible. In addition to improvements at Sumach-Shuter Parkette, the project includes improved lighting and surfacing at the nearby Orphan’s Green off-leash area.

  • March 2019: Community engagement (open house)
  • February to July 2021: Community engagement (online survey)
  • March 14, 2024: Construction starts, park closes
  • September 2024: Construction complete, park reopens

The timeline is subject to change.

March 2024

Construction Starts

On March 14, construction for the parkette improvements started and will continue until September 2024.

February 2022

Final Design

The design for the parkette improvements is finalized using feedback from the community. Visit the Design section for more information. The City will be proceeding with the detailed design of the park over the next three months and will continue to provide project updates.

Project Next Steps

In February 2021, the City conducted an online survey to obtain feedback from community members to inform the improvements Sumach-Shuter Parkette. Survey participants were given the opportunity to review the refined concept design and share their thoughts on the proposed dogs off-leash area (OLA) opportunities within the park. The survey was available to complete online from February 12 to March 5, 2021, and received a total of 830 survey responses.

The survey results have been reviewed and summarized, and there is majority support for an OLA in the parkette.

There was no consensus on a preferred location/option for the OLA facility within the park. There are a number of issues and concerns that need to be considered for the design and management of the park with respect to the introduction of an OLA:

  • Potential over programming:
    Are we trying to introduce too many facilities or activities within the park? How will the resultant design impact the size of facilities, and would this compromise the functionality and usage of facilities?
  • Impact on adjacent residences:
    How do we minimize noise impact and privacy concerns for adjacent residents? A high level of sanitation and odour abatement will be necessary.
  • Safety and surveillance:
    How do we mitigate potential conflicts with other park activities and between park users? How do we upgrade the perception of personal safety within the park? How do we improve surveillance into the park from the street?
  • Maintaining the green character of the park:
    Will the mix, size, and concentration of facilities adversely impact the green character of the park?  Will this result in more trees and areas of lawn being removed?
  • Park management:
    How will the design address maintenance and management requirements? Will additional maintenance efforts and costs be required on an annual basis? In keeping with current policy, a dog owners’ association must be established.

The development of the park design will take into consideration the issues described above and the detailed responses collected in the survey.

The updated concept design is anticipated to be complete by the end of June.  A virtual public meeting will take place to discuss the survey feedback in more detail and review the revised concept design. Details on how to participate will be shared on this web page.

March 2021

Online Survey

In response to community feedback, Councillor Wong-Tam requested that the City seek additional feedback from the public on the idea of including a dog off-leash area in the park. An online survey was available to complete from February 12 to March 5, 2021, to share feedback on the park design and off-leash area opportunities in the park.

Download the survey results.

March 2019

Public Open House

At a public open house in March 2019, the community shared their feedback on preliminary concept design options to improve Sumach-Shuter Parkette.

Download the public open house summary.

Concept options:

While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some of the content on this site. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding these documents, please contact Bob Duguid at 416-392-1925 or Bob.Duguid@toronto.ca.

Park improvements to Sumach Shuter, proposed in the initial concepts, included:

  • playground improvements
  • a new splash pad to replace the wading pool
  • improved park walkways
  • new furniture
  • improved park lighting
  • tree planting
  • turf improvements

The comments received from the open house are being considered in the development of the preferred concept design for the park. The preferred concept will be posted online for comment from the community.

The City has revised the proposed park design in response to preferences and comments received from the online survey conducted in February 2021.

Playground

  • The playground is situated in the eastern area of the park, set back from the residential property boundaries in order to preserve existing trees.
  • The playground includes junior and senior play equipment on a rubber surface, accessible play opportunities and an adjoining picnic area.
  • The wading pool is removed from this area. A splash pad feature was not supported in the survey and has not been provided.

Dogs Off-Leash Area (OLA)

  • The OLA is located centrally within the park, maximizing distance separation from adjacent residences.
  • The proposed surface for the OLA is artificial turf. This material has been selected based on durability, ease of maintenance, accessibility benefits for people with mobility challenges, and year-round usability.
  • Irrigation and an enhanced drainage system are provided to improve sanitary conditions.
  • The OLA is totally fenced with 1.5-metre height metal fencing, with two double-gated entrances along the Shuter Street frontage and the western edge of the off-leash area.

Northeast Corner of Park

  • By moving the park fence closer to Shuter Street, the new park design reclaims the area in the northeast section of the park, creating more usable park space while maintaining safety for all park users.
  • The fence improves safety given the park is adjacent to a busy street.

Western Area of Park

  • The northwest corner of the park will be renovated to allow better views of the park from the street and to expand the usable park area.
  • Additional seating will be provided including picnic tables
  • Previous designs had included outdoor adult fitness equipment in this location, however, the adult fitness equipment was not supported in the survey.

While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some of the content on this site. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings, or any other content, please contact Bob Duguid at 416-392-1925 or Bob.Duguid@toronto.ca.

The new park design integrates the dogs off-leash area into the central area of the park, situated closer to the street and totally enclosed with 1.5 m height fencing. The playground is located in the eastern area of the park, which includes a picnic area for family enjoyment. The western end of the park provides additional seating and picnic area to encourage more visitation from patrons of nearby cafes and eating establishments, and to support local children's day programs. In general, views into and within the park have been enhanced, and more entrances into the park have been provided. Park lighting will be greatly improved.
Park design plan.
The playground is situated in the eastern area of the park, setback from the property boundaries to preserve existing trees. There is lawn space north and west of the playground for leisure activities and casual play. A picnic area is integrated with the playground for family enjoyment. Play equipment is provided for age groups 2 -5 and for 5 – 12 years old. The playground incorporates accessible play opportunities, and includes a rubber surface. The wading pool is removed from this area. A splash pad feature was not supported in the survey, and has not been provided.
Playground design plan.

The initiative for proposed park improvement to Sumach-Shuter Parkette was a result of the Corktown Parks Master Plan that was prepared from 2014 to 2015. The Master Plan’s purpose was to develop a holistic approach to park rehabilitation, taking into account changing demographics in the neighbourhood, increased population density and changing recreational tendencies.

This drawing shows the western area of the park as seen from the corner of Shuter Street and Sumach Street. The corner will be enhanced by planting beds, benches, and picnic tables. Views into the park are considerably improved for surveillance and safety.
Artist illustration of the west side of the parkette, at the corner of Shuter Street and Sumach Street.
This drawing shows the playground and associated green space, as seen looking into the park from Shuter Street. The playground is located in the east area of the park, setback from the Shuter Street and adjacent residences. A picnic area is incorporated into the playground area.
Artist illustration of the east side of the parkette, which shows the green space and playground.
This drawing shows the dogs off-leash area, as seen looking east from Shuter Street. The dog's off-leash area is located centrally in the park near Shuter Street, and will have an artificial turf surface and 1.5 meter high ornamental metal fence enclosure.
Artist illustration of the dogs off-leash area in the parkette.