Project Details

This significant and cherished landscape in the heart of downtown Toronto holds tremendous cultural, social, and ecological value. Queen’s Park is one of the earliest public parks in Canada and is home to a significant collection of mature trees, including some of the largest oak trees in the city.

The intent of the Park Improvements Master Plan is to:

Restore walkways and connections to the surrounding community.

Regenerate the urban forest.

Renew seating and lighting.

Revitalize community enjoyment of the park.

The guiding principles of the plan are to enhance the quality of park destinations; rejuvenate the landscape (including trees and lawns); enhance the park as a place of respite; create a vibrant social heart; create a clear hierarchy of paths with upgraded paving materials; and improve seating.

Park Improvements

A major focus of the improvements is the revitalization of the trees and lawns in Queen’s Park north of the legislative building. To achieve this revitalization, the work will include:

Extensive arboricultural works to rejuvenate the health of existing trees including fertilizing, aerating and pruning. with limited removal of trees, primarily in poor health.

to rejuvenate the health of existing trees including fertilizing, aerating and pruning. with limited removal of trees, primarily in poor health. New tree planting of over 90 large-canopy deciduous trees (all native species) to establish the next generation of this significant urban canopy.

of over 90 large-canopy deciduous trees (all native species) to establish the next generation of this significant urban canopy. New tree planting of over 70 under-storey deciduous trees (all native species) that feature spring flowers.

of over 70 under-storey deciduous trees (all native species) that feature spring flowers. Rejuvenation of turf with grass seed especially suited to the park’s soil and light conditions (replacing large areas formerly covered in wood mulch).

with grass seed especially suited to the park’s soil and light conditions (replacing large areas formerly covered in wood mulch). Planting of spring flowering bulbs in selected lawn areas near walkways.

Map of Park Improvements

The Queens Park Revitalization Plan Map is numbered and includes a legend. Following the numbering system on the plan, the components of park improvements are as follows:

King Edward VII Plaza – new unit paving, extensive new seating with wood and metal benches, completion of the granite seat wall, regrading to remove existing berm. Highlanders of Canada Monument Plaza – new unit paving, new planting at the base of the monument, new benches. Hoskin Entry Plaza – new unit paving, new benches, new curved limestone wall behind benches. Wellesley Entry Plaza – new unit paving, new benches and a limestone feature wall. Queen’s Park Promenade – new unit paving path lined with benches that connects King Edward Plaza with Highlanders Monument. Statue of Al Purdy – remains with new, small paved area at the base. Benches – new wood and metal benches throughout the park. Stepped Stone Seat Walls – completion of existing black granite seat wall around Kind Edward statue. Picnic Tables – new picnic tables. Accessible Picnic Table – new picnic table that meets City accessibility design guidelines. Limestone Entry Wall – new curved natural stone wall at Hoskin Plaza Entrance. Recreation/Jogging Path – improvements to limestone-screening jogging path around the perimeter of the park. Existing Ornamental Fountain – to remain, but will not be refurbished as a working fountain.

Additional components of the improvements not numbered in the plan: