Four years after Aura at College Park wrapped up construction at Yonge and Gerrard in Downtown Toronto, the long-awaited revitalization of the adjacent College Park public space is finally complete. The project was necessitated by the parking garage below: it needed a new waterproof membrane over it, so the old park above had to be completely removed. A complete reimagining of the public space was undertaken, funded with the help of Section 37 and 45(9) agreements between Canderel and the City from the development of Aura at College Park. It contributed $3 million towards the project.

Overview of College Park, image by Greg Lipinski

Designed by landscape architects The MBTW Group and architects RAW Design, the rebuilt park opened earlier this summer, and has since become a popular gathering space as evidenced by recent photos.

Updated College Park, including skate pavilion, image by Greg Lipinski

The park features a mix of hard- and softscaping, including significant amounts of greened areas framing a central fountain with lily pad water features and a group of frog sculptures standing watch. Benches and landscaping including new trees surround the fountain.

Central water feature at College Park, image by Greg Lipinski

A kidney-shaped ring at the heart of the park that will become a skate trail during colder months is named in honour of Olympic champion figure skater Barbara Ann Scott. A Zamboni stored in a section of the adjacent skate pavilion and fieldhouse will keep the 5-metre wide skate trail smooth.

Skate trail surrounding central water feature at College Park, image by Greg Lipinski

The fieldhouse that will serve as a warming area where parkgoers can lace up skates during the winter months, also provides a family-style washroom and a small park office. 

Updated College Park, including skate pavilion, image by Greg Lipinski

Beyond the skate trail—expected to be a popular spot for all ages this coming winter—and the central fountain, the 0.75 hectare park also offers a children’s play—a rubberized green pad dotted with play structures—in the southwest corner of the park.

Additional information and images can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

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