Last June, we reported that plans to revitalize Barbara Ann Scott Park were moving forward. The project, which will be realized using $3 million from Section 37 and 45(9) agreements between the City and Canderel from the developer's recent Aura at College Park project, has gone through extensive planning, consultation, and design processes since 2012, and over the past week, work on the site has officially commenced.

Barbara Ann Scott Park, Landscape Master Plan, image courtesy of MBTW Group

The 0.75-hectare park with a skating rink—now surrounded by tall buildings—was constructed in the 1980s atop a parking garage and named in honour of Canadian 1948 Olympic figure skating gold medalist, Barbara Ann Scott. Over the last few years the park, which already needed renewal, was looking even more the worse for wear as it was left to deteriorate a bit while plants moved forward slowly. Now, the revitalization—featuring design work by MBTW Group/Watchorn Architect, Project for Public Spaces, and RAW Design—will take at roughly a year and a half to put fully into place.

Aerial view of the Barbara Ann Scott Park revitalization, image by Forum contributor G.L.17

Photos of the site captured yesterday by UrbanToronto Forum contributor G.L.17 reveal that the now fenced-off park has had the bulk of its trees removed and pathways torn up, while the skating pavilion bordering the former rink has been demolished. 

Skate pavilion demolished, image by Forum contributor G.L.17

The revitalization project is being conducted in three stages, starting with the demolition and clearance of the existing park. Stage two will follow in May with the re-waterproofing of the below-grade parking garage on the site. The final phase of work, set to begin in January 2017, will involve the construction of the new park's facilities and landscaping, with completion projected for Fall 2017.

Barbara Ann Scott Skating Trail, image courtesy of MBTW Group

The revitalized park will feature new trees and landscaping, as well as an artificially cooled ice-skating trail to replace the former oval rink. The new skate trail will be flanked by a pavilion with a rubberized "skate friendly" surface.

Barbara Ann Scott Park Service Building and Fieldhouse, image courtesy of MBTW Group

Additional information can be found in out dataBase file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment using the space provided at the bottom of the page.