Premier Kathleen Wynne and Mayor John Tory were on hand Wednesday to announce finalized plans for phase one of the revitalization of the defunct Ontario Place site, which will see a parking lot on the east island transformed into a 7.5-acre park complete with a waterfront trail. Wynne also revealed that the new waterfront trail will be named in honour of former premier William G. Davis, who was leader when Ontario Place first opened in 1971. Scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2016, the new park, designed by LANDinc and West 8, will provide access to an inaccessible portion of Toronto's waterfront for the first time in 40 years.

Rendering of the waterfront trail, image provided by the Province of Ontario

The design of the new park is inspired by Ontario's landscapes, natural materials, and native species. Aimed at becoming a new waterfront destination for visitors to relax and soak in panoramic views of the lake and the city, the park has many notable features, many of which celebrate First Nations heritage and culture. A ravine will act as a gateway into the park, giving the first glimpse of Lake Ontario, while a romantic garden provides open space designed for rest and play. The area will also feature an open-air pavilion, a rocky beach and fire pit, a boardwalk, and a summit located on the southern tip with views over the park and lake. The William G. Davis waterfront trail will link with the existing trail network, including the Martin Goodman and Pan Am/Parapan Am Trails, forming a continuous 2000-km route along the Trans-Canada Trail in Ontario.

Rendering of the garden and open-air pavilion, image provided by the Province of Ontario

Opened in 1971, Ontario Place was one of the first public spaces established along Toronto's waterfront, which at that time was largely industrial and inaccessible. It remained a popular destination until recent years, when in 2012 it was closed amid dwindling attendance, and an advisory panel headed by John Tory was appointed to provide recommendations for the revitalization of the site. After much public input, the vision for the project was released in July 2014. The vision calls for greater public recreational spaces, a year-round live music venue, a cultural and innovation hub, a celebration common, and greater connections to the city and surrounding areas. In keeping with Ontario Place's public nature, it was decided that no residential development would take place on the site.

Plan of the new park and waterfront trail, image provided by the Province of Ontario

The new park is an important first step for the future of the Ontario Place site, and adds yet another positive contribution to Toronto's waterfront revival. Construction is already underway, and Torontonians will soon be able to enjoy the newest recreation space overlooking Lake Ontario and the city skyline.

Rendering of the fire pit, image provided by the Province of Ontario

Additional information and renderings for Ontario Place can be found in our dataBase file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment using the space provided at the bottom of this page.