Toronto The Bentway (was Under Gardiner) | ?m | ?s | Waterfront Toronto
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ADRM
Senior Member
Had a good walkabout today; lots to take in.
Great progress on the Strachan structure:
Loving the berm here; it’ll really shield people sitting on the wooden structure from the sight and sound of traffic, and it’s also a great call to opt for plantings that’ll have some height. Looks nice, too:
Looking back at Strachan towards the southwest:
Added some tables and chairs outside the FYVC:
Thing I don’t like: they’ve given way too much space to surface parking (I imagine this is FY’s doing); of the usable space in this picture, about a fifth is given to pedestrians and the rest is dedicated to vehicle storage:
More great choices in planting; the height really elevates the sense of greening the space. I’m surprised that this space gets enough sunlight to support these trees, but perhaps the early morning and late afternoon sun angles are sufficient to support growth?
Drainage seems to need a bit more work in a few places; whole bunch of standing water around:
Sunday beer garden space, also a good idea; I like the diversity of uses they’ve contemplated:
Again, with the cars and the arrogance of space: if you come from Strachan, the first thing you’re greeted with as you leave the wooden bit is a surface parking lot; would like to see them come up with a design solution to shield pedestrians from the sight of the lot (whilst provisioning for accessibility, of course):
Pics a little out of order, but my thumbs hurt. Still love the FYVC:
Looking back at the berm from the (other) adjacent surface lot to the east of Strachan, looking northwest:
Great progress on the Strachan structure:
Loving the berm here; it’ll really shield people sitting on the wooden structure from the sight and sound of traffic, and it’s also a great call to opt for plantings that’ll have some height. Looks nice, too:
Looking back at Strachan towards the southwest:
Added some tables and chairs outside the FYVC:
Thing I don’t like: they’ve given way too much space to surface parking (I imagine this is FY’s doing); of the usable space in this picture, about a fifth is given to pedestrians and the rest is dedicated to vehicle storage:
More great choices in planting; the height really elevates the sense of greening the space. I’m surprised that this space gets enough sunlight to support these trees, but perhaps the early morning and late afternoon sun angles are sufficient to support growth?
Drainage seems to need a bit more work in a few places; whole bunch of standing water around:
Sunday beer garden space, also a good idea; I like the diversity of uses they’ve contemplated:
Again, with the cars and the arrogance of space: if you come from Strachan, the first thing you’re greeted with as you leave the wooden bit is a surface parking lot; would like to see them come up with a design solution to shield pedestrians from the sight of the lot (whilst provisioning for accessibility, of course):
Pics a little out of order, but my thumbs hurt. Still love the FYVC:
Looking back at the berm from the (other) adjacent surface lot to the east of Strachan, looking northwest:
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Gphorce
Active Member
Yeah that parking is unfortunate. But is it staged in a way that it could double as a crowd space during events?
LostAlbertan
New Member
Does anyone know if there are plans to directly connect the multi-use trail systems on the West Railpath and the Martin Goodman Trail to the Bentway? It doesn't seem to me like any direct connection is contemplated.
Yes, the West Toronto Railpath will eventually connect, but the route from where the King-Liberty Village GO station is going in has not been finalized. The trail system will also connect to North Linear Park along the railway edge heading towards the CN Tower, and eventually there will be connections to Rail Deck Park.
There are bike lanes on Fort York Blvd that take you down to the Martin Goodman Trail.
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There are bike lanes on Fort York Blvd that take you down to the Martin Goodman Trail.
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DonValleyRainbow
Senior Member
Member Bio
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2014
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- Location
- Kay Gardner Beltline Trail
To expand on WTR specifically, there were property issues south of where Sudbury Street splits from its parallel with the rail corridor to go directly east. It's shoehorned between what Metrolinx needs for GO RER and existing private property (1-47, 55 and 99 Sudbury; 1071 King St W). So the current WTR extension ends at Sudbury St and Dovercourt Rd, while the City tries to figure out what to do / negotiate further south. The vision is to extend it further to Douro, and them parallel the south side of Douro/Wellington to the Garrison Bridge Crossing, which will connect to the Bentway.
A rough map to give you an idea:
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MetroMan
Senior Member
idc24
Active Member
The bentway really enhances the Fort York visitors centre.
achender
Active Member
achender
Active Member
MetroMan
Senior Member
I attended the media preview today for the Strachan Gate opening. It’s a fantastic space!
I’m just not a fan of how they covered the opening between the bents on Strachan. I liked the view that it was supposed to provide down the length of the Bentway from the street.
I’m also a little concerned that they added metal grind edges to the benches on the amphitheater. I get that they want to be accepting of skateboarders throughout the Bentway but that effectively kills the use of the amphitheater for its advertised purpose. People aren’t going to sit on benches reading or having lunch while skateboarders are grinding on the benches behind them.
Bonus shot of my dog with Kevin Vuong photobombing the Mayor.
I’m just not a fan of how they covered the opening between the bents on Strachan. I liked the view that it was supposed to provide down the length of the Bentway from the street.
I’m also a little concerned that they added metal grind edges to the benches on the amphitheater. I get that they want to be accepting of skateboarders throughout the Bentway but that effectively kills the use of the amphitheater for its advertised purpose. People aren’t going to sit on benches reading or having lunch while skateboarders are grinding on the benches behind them.
Bonus shot of my dog with Kevin Vuong photobombing the Mayor.
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NeilV
Active Member
Looks great. Hopefully this will teach city planners that a bit of shadow doesn't ruin a park.
ponyboy
Active Member
Surprised no one posted photos from the festivities this past weekend. Below are a few of mine.
There was a fun dance contest, live music, food trucks, sponsor tents, games for kids, and a local radio station broadcasting. The Giraffe pinata drop was a nice touch, although some of the kids lost the spirit of sharing the spoils.
It is a large space/corridor. Outside of these planned events, there will need to be some regular activities to bring people back routinely. As an unusual and amorphous space, it may struggle to find its identity. It will take trial and error for the public to put this place in their mental map. Good programming, advertising, positive word of mouth will help.
Will the design of this space keep people coming back? Some of the ideas come across as more temporary artistic flair rather than something that will be appreciated and used on a lasting basis. The wooden steps and amphitheater will be nice during performances, but outside of performances, I don't know if there will be enough people for people-watching to be a thing here. Happily, noise from the highway above is not a serious problem, although Yo-Yo Ma type performances might not work here. Will the grass under the highway survive? There is room here to allow for seasonal cafes and beer gardens that might help animate the space, but would they draw people given all the other options? Small amplified music festivals, busker fests, outdoor theater, band practice, and other events could potentially be held here, but parking and access may be trouble for some. I noticed that local lots were charging $30 for parking for the Ex, which seems extortionate.
There was a fun dance contest, live music, food trucks, sponsor tents, games for kids, and a local radio station broadcasting. The Giraffe pinata drop was a nice touch, although some of the kids lost the spirit of sharing the spoils.
It is a large space/corridor. Outside of these planned events, there will need to be some regular activities to bring people back routinely. As an unusual and amorphous space, it may struggle to find its identity. It will take trial and error for the public to put this place in their mental map. Good programming, advertising, positive word of mouth will help.
Will the design of this space keep people coming back? Some of the ideas come across as more temporary artistic flair rather than something that will be appreciated and used on a lasting basis. The wooden steps and amphitheater will be nice during performances, but outside of performances, I don't know if there will be enough people for people-watching to be a thing here. Happily, noise from the highway above is not a serious problem, although Yo-Yo Ma type performances might not work here. Will the grass under the highway survive? There is room here to allow for seasonal cafes and beer gardens that might help animate the space, but would they draw people given all the other options? Small amplified music festivals, busker fests, outdoor theater, band practice, and other events could potentially be held here, but parking and access may be trouble for some. I noticed that local lots were charging $30 for parking for the Ex, which seems extortionate.
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