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Downsview Park is Canada's first urban National Park; it's just that it has been first for a long time now, and still has little park to it. For years the body that runs the park - officially named Parc Downsview Park to comply with federal bilingualism policies - has been trying to establish a proper park at the site, but has faced both severe financial constraints, and inaction from North York Community Council on its plan.
The current plan has been controversial for some people, as it calls for much more of the site to be developed than was originally envisioned. The developed areas will, however, pay for the park's construction without dipping into the public purse, an avenue of funding which has been denied to the park. With the recent introduction of these renderings to UrbanToronto, we thought it best that we bring to your attention the proposals for this significant piece of land in north-central Toronto. Below we present the map of the various neighbourhoods proposed for the site, with renderings to illustrate the conceptual buildout. The images, as well as the descriptive text below, comes directly from Downsview Park's website.
The neighbourhoods will be phased into the development of Downsview Park over many years. The first neighbourhood of focus is the Stanley Greene neighbourhood in the south end of the Park.
This view is looking north with Keele Street along the west (left) and the proposed Stanley Greene neighbourhood with public gardens in the foreground. To the west can be seen the Lake and to the northeast, the Mound.
This illustration is an example of the proposed military housing.
This view is looking east from Keele Street into the proposed new residential area of the Stanley Greene neighbourhood.
This view is looking north parallel to Keele Street along the boardwalk along the west edge of the Lake.
This view is looking north up Keele Street (left) with the proposed residential buildings alongside Keele with the preserved woodlot in the William Baker neighbourhood, behind. Sheppard Avenue lies off to the far right side.
This view is from within the William Baker neighbourhood looking south through the existing woodlot to proposed residential development along Keele Street.
This view is looking south from above the new proposed TTC station and GO station. To the west (right) lies a mixed commercial and residential area with residential buildings in the southwest (far right).
Illustrated is a portion of the proposed retail area of the Sheppard neighbourhood with cafes, shopping and other stores.
This view is looking south-east from Sheppard Avenue towards Bombardier's runway (far right corner), with the new proposed TTC station and GO station in the foreground centre. To the east (left) are proposed commercial buildings.
This view is looking south at Allen Road and Sheppard Avenue at the commercial development – to the left is the Downsview subway station.
This view is looking west from Allen Road with residential buildings to the south and a park land to the north.
This view is looking east towards Allen Road with a park land to the north (left foreground) and fountains and public space to the south (right). You can learn much more about the plan by visiting Downsview Park's official website, or you can join in the conversation at our Downsview Park thread by clicking the link below.
