The ongoing rebuilding of Toronto's Berczy Park has made a fair amount of progress since our most recent update in May. Designed by landscape architects Claude Cormier + Associés, the reimagined public space bounded by Scott, Front, and Wellington Streets will once again become a fixture for the local community once construction is completed.

Aerial view of Berczy Park from earlier in June, image by Edward Skira

Since we last checked in, crews were in the process of uncovering utilities at southwest corner of the site to confirm their condition, and installing conduits to supply power to the park's fountain, lighting, and other electric systems. In the weeks since, the southwest corner of the site has since been filled in with concrete, which is currently covered by a tarpaulin to protect the curing concrete from excessive heat.

Concrete has been poured along the south edge of the site, image by Stefan Novakovic

The patterned pavers now cutting across the site will be a major part of the finished park's aesthetic. Currently coated in a thin layer of construction dust and debris, a recent hosing-off of the pavers revealed their brightert true tones.

Patterned pavers in Berczy Park, image courtesy of Claude Cormier + Associés

The park's 11 healthy trees—which were preserved during the demolition process—will be joined by a mix of tulip and oak trees, as well as a single Japanese pagoda tree. To ensure that the roots of the trees have adequate room to grow and sufficient access to water, the park is utilizing Silva Cell technology.

An aerial view of the completed park, image courtesy of Claude Cormier + Associés

The innovative Silva Cells feature networks of glass-reinforced polypropylene frames that prevent roots from being compacted. In recent years, the system has been successfully implemented at a number of Toronto's streets and public spaces. The image below shows several crates containing Silva Cell components, awaiting installation throughout the park.

Boxes containing Silva Cell components awaiting installation at Berczy Park, image by Stefan Novakovic

The central attraction of the rebuilt park will be a playful two-tiered fountain featuring 27 cast-iron sculptures of dogs—and a lone cat—all arranged around a large bone. 

Fountain taking shape at Berczy Park, image by Stefan Novakovic

As the installation of the fountain's inner workings takes place on-site, off-site work continues on the fabrication of the fountain's many sculptural elements.

Components of the park's fountain, image courtesy of Claude Cormier + Associés

A diptych of the sole cat before and after its painting evidences the meticulous attention to detail given to the playful installation.

The single cat sculpture, before and after painting, image courtesy of Claude Cormier + Associés

While the centrally-placed bone sculpture was originally depicted with a gold hue in preconstruction renderings, the resulting sculpture appears to have been switched to a polka dot pattern. The frame below reveals the fabrication of the bone's mold.

Completed bone (top) and the fabrication of its mould (bottom), image courtesy of Claude Cormier + Associés

We will keep you updated as the Downtown park continues its transformation. In the meantime, additional information about Berczy Park can be found in our database file, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Leave a comment in the space provided on this page, or in our associated Forum thread.