A new public park is planned as part of the Toronto Community Housing Corporation’s residential development that will soon rise on the land directly east of Fort York. Construction is slated to begin in June, 2009, and though the park component will not be completed until at least 2011, planners, developers and heritage groups have already started to discuss potential names for the park.
Most of the names being considered point to the historical significance of the site, as only in its most recent incarnation was this a fallow and undistinguished tract of land, (aside from its brief tenure as a nine-hole golf course). Originally, it was part of Toronto’s shoreline, and the very spot where Garrison Creek met Lake Ontario. It was the location of the original Fort York structures burned down by American forces in 1813 and later the site of the recently unearthed Queen’s Wharf as well as numerous early railway structures.
The working title is Mouth of the Creek Park, but candidates for a permanent name include Blockhouse Park, Queen’s Wharf Park, Lost Creek Park, and even Garrison Creek Park – which is odd since there is already a Garrison Creek Park at Ossington and Dupont.
Ultimately, the name will be adopted by city council on recommendation from the area’s councillor, which is currently Adam Vaughan. But here is your opportunity, dear readers, to weigh in on what you think the new park should be called. Should the city stick with the historical theme? And if so, should it emphasize the area’s natural, military or industrial heritage? Or might there be a prominent public figure that deserves better than to be immortalized in an obscure cul-de-sac? Perhaps it could even be someone whose name isn’t Baldwin, Massey or Strachan.
18 comments
Is Dan Leckie Way destined to be extended northward?
I would suggest “Old Shoreline Park”. I think it should reflect its geographic history.
I’m liking the references to Garrison Creek.
This is easy “Pantalone Park”! He has had the greatest influence on the whole area considering the condominium developments,the front street extenstion,fort york lights under the gardner and even the daycare centre on the old scrap yard lands on bathurst street and the new hotel being built as close as exibition place.
His name and influence is everywhere in the immediate area.He must not be forgotten for what he has done to the Bathurst Front street area.
There is a proposed cyclist/pedestrian bridge that will cross the railroad tracks between Portland Street and Dan Leckie Way.
How about Bathurst Bridge park?
Will Garrison Creek be revealed with the construction of the park?
I like the nearby CityPlace development, but I know many people think it’s more garden-variety condo towers. If that’s what you subscribe to, then Lost Creek Park adds some needed intrigue to the area.
The park is not in his ward George.
I like “Old Golf Course Park”. It has a ring to it.
When I first read the title of this post on my RSS feed, I was expecting an article about converting urban golf courses into public parks, which, of course, got my heart racing. Can you imagine the kind of Olmsted-ian parks we could make with those gigantic wastes of space?
Where are the golf courses in Toronto anyway?
I’m sure I could Google this.
Historical significance, eh? Well, in the interest of tying together the city’s social history with the present, I vote for The Affordable Housing Waiting List Sleeping Area. The name could be prefaced by the name of your favourite politician.
Personally, I think “The Mike Harris Affordable Housing Waiting List Sleeping Area” has a nice ring to it, but the list of politicians deserving of recognition is rather extensive.
The best part would be that when the cops come and shoo the homeless people out of the park, the city could call it “performance art” which supports the objectives of the Waterfront Culture and Heritage Infrastructure Plan.
Given the way the cit (TCHC) lets buildings run down, why not call it what it is?
Desperation Park
“1812 Park” works for me.
Drew’s question +1 for me. It’d be amazing if they could open the creek back up to the surface.
Naming the park after something related to the war of 1812 would make sense.
Kevin – There are three golf courses in the area bounded by Kipling, Eglinton, Jane, and Dundas West in Etobicoke.
I have researched and found that Rupert Edwards (Edwards Gardens) built a 9 hole golf course in approx. 1944 which was eventually taken over by IBM when they moved in to Don Mills in the early 1950’s. Do you have any info on this. The area is Lawrence East and Leslie. IBM eventually “sold” this I think to developers which became Denlow estates in the Banbury area. They then took over Nelson Davis golf course in Markham called Box Grove, exclusive to IBM employees, magnificent.