Toronto Mayor John Tory shared an update today on the next steps for the new waterfront park at Bathurst Quay, and other public realm projects. The announcement comes ahead of a City staff report on the projects, which will be submitted to the City’s Executive Committee for consideration on Tuesday, July 12. 

The report recommends a work plan for advancing new downtown parks and public realm initiatives, which include the creation of Bathurst Quay waterfront park, an expansion of park space on the Rail Corridor, and a redesign of University Avenue to create almost nine acres of parkland. The report outlines the vision for each project, the work undertaken to date, and key implementation considerations in the next phase of each project's development.

John Tory sharing the announcement today, image courtesy of John Tory

“These projects are all important opportunities to deliver much needed parks and public space in areas where the current ratio of parkland per person is amongst the lowest in the city," said Tory. "They will take time to get done, but we have a path forward that will see them done right and in a way that will enhance the liveability of our downtown for all those who live and work there, as well as increase its vitality for visitors.”

The Bathurst Quay waterfront park would be expanded to the east by the foot of Dan Leckie Way, by converting a City-owned parking garage that juts out into the Harbour into an addition to the new waterfront park. According to the City, design work would begin at the same time as the garage closure and its remediation, in order to enable a park construction tender award in late 2026. An exploratory committee would also be created to advance a multimedia projection installation on the adjacent Canada Malting Company silos, as seen below.

Bathurst Quay waterfront park, image courtesy of John Tory

The development of a Rail Corridor Public Realm Master Plan is meant to provide a road map for incrementally expanding public space over and adjacent to the existing rail corridors that run through Toronto's downtown. The City is currently engaging with property owners, Metrolinx, and other stakeholders on a variety of options. The Master Plan would allow the City to prepare new open spaces and connections that are envisioned in the Downtown Plan.

Rail Corridor Master Plan, image courtesy of the City of Toronto

The redesign of University Avenue reimagines the street as a continuous public green space that would link the Financial District, Health Science District, and the University of Toronto. The next stage to develop this project includes an engagement strategy for key stakeholders and partners, a capital project coordination strategy, and a heritage inventory.

The Future University Park Vision, looking north from Queen Street and University, image courtesy of the City of Toronto

The financial strategy for all three of these projects reflects a multi-year timeline, and staged approach that is outlined in the report being submitted next week.

UrbanToronto will continue to follow updates for these projects, but in the meantime, you can learn more from our dedicated threads for them, linked above, or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.

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Related Companies:  RJC Engineers, SvN, Sweeny &Co Architects Inc.