On March 19 the Provincial Government, Waterfront Toronto and designers LANDinc and West 8 revealed updated design plans for a new urban park and waterfront trail at Ontario Place at the project's third public consultation. The park and trail will mark the first step in Ontario Place's revitalization with 7.5 waterfront acres of the 96-acre land parcel seeing green redevelopment. In response to public feedback on the previously released conceptual design, LANDinc and West 8 refined the design to reinforce the inspiration provided by our province's natural landscapes, and we are now one step closer to seeing shovels in the ground.

Rendering of boardwalk at the proposed Urban Park and Waterfront Trail

Plans present a park split into two distinct zones; an upper wooded park as well as a lower park hugging the water line. 980 meters (or about 3,200 feet) of trails will be built on this 7.5 acre stretch occupying the easternmost edge of Ontario Place's East island.

Layout of the Ontario Place Urban Park and Waterfront Trail





In addition to the constantly evolving landscape design, a cohesive planting, lighting and furnishing plan has also been developed as part of the park's design. A mix of deciduous and coniferous native tree species will be evocative of Ontario's varying wooded landscapes.

Bluffs, Lower Trail at Ontario Place Urban Park and Waterfront Trail, wooded lot visible on left

Furnishing and lighting features will take a minimalist approach, with muted tones to keep the spotlight on the park itself. Due to the site's proximity to migratory bird routes, the lighting plan has been carefully designed so as not to interfere with birds or their migration patterns.

Carved alcove seating at Ontario Place Urban Park and Waterfront Trail

The design and consultation phase of the project will conclude this summer with the unveiling of the final design. In an ambitious move, the project is being fast-tracked for completion in Summer of 2015, just in time for the widely anticipated Pan and Para Pan American Games.

Ravine, Park Entrance at Ontario Place Urban Park and Waterfront Trail

Once completed, the revitalized area will offer unrestricted access to a part of the waterfront closed off to the public for over four decades during its days as a staff parking lot for the now closed theme park. The new urban park and waterfront trail will also link to the 780 kilometre waterfront trail system which stretches from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Quebec.

Programming space at Ontario Place Urban Park and Waterfront Trail

Water's Edge Alvars at Ontario Place Urban Park and Waterfront Trail

We will return with more details on the Urban Park and Waterfront Trail as they continue to emerge. In the meantime, additional new renderings can be found in the dataBase file, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or voice your opinion in the comments section provided at the bottom of this page.