Toronto is getting two huge new parks complete with giant porch swings

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Posted By: jasabacklink April 3, 2024

Residents of the Fort York area and beyond are getting a fancy new summer hangout complete with porch swings, according to a new plan.

The City of Toronto just released the designs of two new parks heading to the Spadina-Fort York area: a three-acre park located at 10 Ordnance St. and a 2.3-acre park located at 801 Wellington St. W., near Strachan Avenue.

The city is inviting the public to provide feedback on their preferred renderings, including the amenities and features, via an online survey before April 11.

According to the city’s latest renderings, the design for each park includes sculpted landforms that create distinct outdoor spaces and frame the unique expansive views of the city skyline.

The Wellington St. park will feature a flexible open lawn, rain gardens, and sculpted landforms.

“Through careful manipulation of topography (landscape features), the preferred design improves overall circulation within the park and to adjacent public spaces, preserves existing uses, and provides new flexible space for programming,” the City noted about the Wellington site.

The Ordnance St. park will feature framed views, porch swings, and a children’s play area.

“The [Ordnance] park will include public art depicting a family of beavers, made from repurposed timber and lumber by artists Lisa Steele and Kim Tomczak. The wood sculptures will be treated for fire safety and will be weatherproofed in an environmentally safe manner” the City added.

City of Toronto graphic showing the park space

The parks, which will be phased to accommodate Metrolinx, are being built as a result of the condominium development project at Garrison Point and the construction of the Garrison Crossing pedestrian and cycling bridges.

The City note that their vision is to establish a distinct identity for the parks, improve connections in the parks and to the community, enhance site ecology, and “reflect the natural and cultural heritage of the site and integrate Indigenous culture, languages and art”.

This fall, the city plans to hire a construction team, with construction expected to begin in the spring of 2025 and complete by the winter of next year.