{"id":2038,"date":"2007-06-24T17:00:31","date_gmt":"2007-06-24T21:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spacingtoronto.ca\/?p=2038"},"modified":"2007-06-24T23:08:28","modified_gmt":"2007-06-25T03:08:28","slug":"ireland-park-solemn-hidden-and-engaging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/toronto\/2007\/06\/24\/ireland-park-solemn-hidden-and-engaging\/","title":{"rendered":"Ireland Park: solemn, hidden and engaging"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Only two weeks after HtO Park<\/a> opened to the public, another public space opened with a very different purpose and spirit than the urban beach. Ireland Park was dedicated on June 21, and I took the opportunity of visiting two days later. In the latest Water issue of Spacing<\/em>, contributor Paul French gives a much more detailed article on Ireland Park.<\/p>\n

The park, is in the memory of the 160th<\/sup> anniversary of the arrival of immigrants fleeing the Irish Famine. Nearby, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153emigrant sheds\u00e2\u20ac\u009d were established to receive the 38,560 Irish that arrived in Toronto in 1847. Of those, over 1,100 died, while 675 names are known and displayed between several rough slabs, made of imported Kilkenny limestone. Five bronze statues stand (and in one case, lie) on a lawn nearby, signifying the mixed emotions and experience of the new immigrants, in a collective called “The Arrival”. In a similar park in Dublin, there are seven statues collectively called “Departure” — illustrating the loss of many ailing émigrés on the long voyage to Canada.<\/p>\n

The location for the park is very interesting. To the west is the ferry terminal for the controversial Island Airport. Directly to the north is the city-owned abandoned Canada Malting Silos, for which many uses have been proposed, but none have been brought to life. However, the industrial silos make for a surprisingly fitting backdrop, which seems to be built into the park, the glass brick tower seemingly making reference to the silos behind it.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The airport, immediately across the Western Gap, is noisy. While no Porter flights were taking off or landing, the helicopters (one with a banner for a bank’s credit card, a completely wasteful way to advertise) and private planes were loud enough, but not entirely disrupting. A party boat, with dance music blaring through as it crept through the Western gap was a much greater intrusion.<\/p>\n

This park also opens up a new vantage point for views of the rest of the waterfront. Between here and York Street, the Toronto Music Garden, the Spadina wetlands, the incomplete HtO Park, the Harbourfront Centre all are visible, and an interesting view of the downtown skyline.<\/p>\n


\nDespite the park being a bit hard to find (it is hidden behind the ferry terminal and a City yard, with no signage yet pointing the way, there was a small, but steady flow of visitors, by foot or by bicycle discovering the park and interacting with its features.<\/p>\n

A website for the Ireland Park Foundation<\/a>, accessible within the park by three touch-screen monitors, explains the context the history and the park’s features. It also has the names of the sponsoring organizations, individuals and corporations, who are not otherwise present on any plaques or signage — while the city only contributed the land for the project.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Only two weeks after HtO Park opened to the public, another public space opened with a very different purpose and spirit than the urban beach. Ireland Park was dedicated on June 21, and I took the opportunity of visiting two days later. 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