Irishmonk
Senior Member
Yesterday evening. Water has definitely cleared up.
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Toronto Love Park | 3m | 1s | City of Toronto | CCxA
- Thread starter AlvinofDiaspar
- Start date
yrt+viva=1system
Senior Member
Someone has cleaned up the graffiti tag. Went to the park on the weekend and it’s been removed.
Marcanadian
Moderator
From last Sunday:
Love Park by Marcanadian, on Flickr
Love Park by Marcanadian, on Flickr
Love Park by Marcanadian, on Flickr
Love Park by Marcanadian, on Flickr
Love Park by Marcanadian, on Flickr
Love Park by Marcanadian, on Flickr
Love Park by Marcanadian, on Flickr
Love Park by Marcanadian, on FlickrLove Park by Marcanadian, on FlickrLove Park by Marcanadian, on FlickrLove Park by Marcanadian, on FlickrLove Park by Marcanadian, on FlickrLove Park by Marcanadian, on FlickrLove Park by Marcanadian, on FlickrNorthern Light
Superstar
I popped by here yesterday.
I have many good things to say and show; and a couple of concerns.
Photos taken September 8th, 2023:
We'll start w/the good:
The Catalpa and Island, just picture perfect:
Different angle:
Also good, The Willows are very happy and growing like gangbusters; it varies tree to tree, but growth is in the range 4-5ft since planting.
The Ivy intended to at least partially mask the mechanical building is doing quite well:
The Wisteria is also continuing to put on height, having added another 12 inches since we last saw it on UT:
Neither here/nor there. The City has added explanatory signage about the pond filtration/water quality:
The water quality wasn't poor when I was there (to the eye), but there is still more algae development than I would have expected.....
The system was working (well at least water was being exchanged through the filters)
I didn't get the best shot, but you can see a bit of bubbling in this photo, which is where the exchange is happening, that going on at equidistant points around the pond.
Now for the not as good news:
First in text, most of the trees are doing reasonably well, but a few are only fair, over 90% should make to next spring, but the Tulip tree on the Queen's Quay side is a goner.
Some losses were to be expected, that said, the trees haven't gone through winter here yet.
***
Now for my photo evidenced concerns:
The grass next to the Harbour/York entrance is in rough shape. The cause is clear, its dog urine:
That does not look great; the grass will not work here. There are two options, one is to hardscape the edge (first meter here). Could do that, not sure it will help as I suspect the dogs/owners would just find another soft bit of landscape.
I'm inclined to think that replacing the edge of the sod here w/a dog urine resistant plant species would be the preferred choice.
***
My second concern is the York Street side planting bed:
I have a few observations on the above.
1) Too many blank spots, a few things have died. I suspect dog urine may also be a factor here as this is opposite the struggling grass, it's fenced off, I don't think trampling is an issue. May need to try a few alternatives.
2) A few weeds, it's not terrible, some weeds are to be expected in a natural bed, but I do want to see evidence of maintenance on the bed before winter. Ideally offending plants should not be allowed to go to seed.
3) Lack of fall interest. Virtually nothing is in bloom, even though fall can be beautiful in nature here. Goldenrod, New England Asters, the last of the native sunflowers and Black Eyed Susans. On that note, as I glanced around, I think the winter-interest in the plant selection is a bit poor as well; we'll have to see how everything looks bare, but I think it may look a bit spare.
* It's not as dry as it looks, to CCxA's credit there is an irrigation system, and I checked, the soil was actually damp. It's just the mulch they used has a very bleached out look when dry.
I have many good things to say and show; and a couple of concerns.
Photos taken September 8th, 2023:
We'll start w/the good:
The Catalpa and Island, just picture perfect:
Different angle:
Also good, The Willows are very happy and growing like gangbusters; it varies tree to tree, but growth is in the range 4-5ft since planting.
The Ivy intended to at least partially mask the mechanical building is doing quite well:
The Wisteria is also continuing to put on height, having added another 12 inches since we last saw it on UT:
Neither here/nor there. The City has added explanatory signage about the pond filtration/water quality:
The water quality wasn't poor when I was there (to the eye), but there is still more algae development than I would have expected.....
The system was working (well at least water was being exchanged through the filters)
I didn't get the best shot, but you can see a bit of bubbling in this photo, which is where the exchange is happening, that going on at equidistant points around the pond.
Now for the not as good news:
First in text, most of the trees are doing reasonably well, but a few are only fair, over 90% should make to next spring, but the Tulip tree on the Queen's Quay side is a goner.
Some losses were to be expected, that said, the trees haven't gone through winter here yet.
***
Now for my photo evidenced concerns:
The grass next to the Harbour/York entrance is in rough shape. The cause is clear, its dog urine:
That does not look great; the grass will not work here. There are two options, one is to hardscape the edge (first meter here). Could do that, not sure it will help as I suspect the dogs/owners would just find another soft bit of landscape.
I'm inclined to think that replacing the edge of the sod here w/a dog urine resistant plant species would be the preferred choice.
***
My second concern is the York Street side planting bed:
I have a few observations on the above.
1) Too many blank spots, a few things have died. I suspect dog urine may also be a factor here as this is opposite the struggling grass, it's fenced off, I don't think trampling is an issue. May need to try a few alternatives.
2) A few weeds, it's not terrible, some weeds are to be expected in a natural bed, but I do want to see evidence of maintenance on the bed before winter. Ideally offending plants should not be allowed to go to seed.
3) Lack of fall interest. Virtually nothing is in bloom, even though fall can be beautiful in nature here. Goldenrod, New England Asters, the last of the native sunflowers and Black Eyed Susans. On that note, as I glanced around, I think the winter-interest in the plant selection is a bit poor as well; we'll have to see how everything looks bare, but I think it may look a bit spare.
* It's not as dry as it looks, to CCxA's credit there is an irrigation system, and I checked, the soil was actually damp. It's just the mulch they used has a very bleached out look when dry.
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greenleaf
Senior Member
Thank you @Northern Light for posts like this, I always learn and appreciate them.
Rascacielo
Senior Member
@Northern Light you really should be a consultant to Toronto Parks & Rec, but even if you're inclined to do so, I'm sure there's no budget for it. Keeping parks beautiful and presentable is low on the city's priority list ...
Northern Light
Superstar
Thank you for the thought, you never know who might be reading my free, unsolicited advice......
I take no credit, but have a look at one small change adjacent to a park, which I posted on over here:
Problematic Park Design - Why Some Parks Don't Work
We probably have 400 fewer BBQ than we did 30 years ago (a guess); I would argue for adding 1,000 spread over 20-30 locations. Though each location should have a year-round washroom, a drinking fountain and water-bottle filling station, and a bucket-fill as well for putting out the BBQ...
just east of the creek
Active Member
variegated dogwood? Cannot quite make out In the photo on my phone. Just thinking of size and spacing considerations as the garden grows in.
Northern Light
Superstar
Some type of Euonymus I believe.
rdaner
Senior Member
Claude Cormier passed away today.
everydayhim
Active Member
just heard, what a tremendous loss
Northern Light
Superstar
I will draw people's attention to the memorium thread that has been setup.
There you will find the CCxA statement on Claude's passing and a couple of pics from their website.
I will be adding and would encourage others to add some photos of his great contributions to the City to that thread, including pics from this thread.
UtakataNoAnnex
Senior Member
Front page story here:
urbantoronto.ca
Celebrated Landscape Architect Claude Cormier Passes at 63 | UrbanToronto
Claude Cormier, one of Canada's greatest landscape architects, has passed away following a battle with cancer. Cormier and his Montreal-based firm CCxA have been responsible for dozens of celebrated park and green space designs, especially in his home town and in Toronto.
AlvinofDiaspar
Moderator
Front page story here:
Celebrated Landscape Architect Claude Cormier Passes at 63 | UrbanToronto
Claude Cormier, one of Canada's greatest landscape architects, has passed away following a battle with cancer. Cormier and his Montreal-based firm CCxA have been responsible for dozens of celebrated park and green space designs, especially in his home town and in Toronto.
Terrible news. Maybe we need to start a kickstarter and get that VEed heart hanging over Love Park.
AoD
Skyhighzz
Active Member
What a loss. Gutted. Hopefully he worked closely with other great landscape architects who can continue his inspiring excellence.
The cities of Montreal & Toronto owe him so much.
The cities of Montreal & Toronto owe him so much.