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Toronto to create green oasis in downtown neighbourhood
Work on the 2,600 square metre park in the Canadian city is anticipated to commence in 2025 and aims to transport visitors through a woodland experience.
The City of Toronto has chosen the winner of an international design competition for a new downtown park.
Wàwàtesí, which translates to “Firefly” in the indigenous language of Anishinaabemowin, will transport visitors through a woodland experience, all while in a downtown neighbourhood surrounded by high-rise buildings.
City-owned park
The space will open at 229 Richmond Street West, between Richmond Street West and Nelson Street, in the heart of the city’s entertainment district. The construction of the City-owned 2,600 square metre park is anticipated to commence in 2025.
The site was once a surface parking lot and, more recently, utilised by a restaurant as an outdoor patio with dining and social activities. It was acquired in 2019 for the specific purpose of creating a park.
Wàwàtesí invites people to enter a multi-level journey through the woodlands from each of the four directions
With approximately 16,000 residents residing within a 0.5km radius and 52,000 people working in the vicinity, the project addresses the growing demand for parkland in the rapidly expanding neighbourhood.
Conceived by West 8 Urban Design and Landscape Architecture, the winning submission was a collaborative effort that included contributions from hcma Architecture and Design, Native Art Department International, MinoKamik Collective, Arup, KG&A, Era Architects and AW Hooker.
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The Wàwàtesí design concept integrates culture, public art, landscape, light and space for performance. It aims to provide an engaging green oasis for visitors, residents and those who work in the area to enjoy.
Wàwàtesí is also a park with a night life and a “winter attitude”. It will be Toronto’s first park with a curator and her own tailored calendar of arts events and installations.
Wàwàtesí invites people to enter a multi-level journey through the woodlands from each of the four directions. A stream-like trail leads people along seven stepping stones with different experiential qualities. The Eastern Gateway – humane laneway and park welcome, the Balcony – place to watch and perform, the Riverbed Playscape – with hammocks and slide, the Grove – for fireflies, the Green – to gather, the Source – of water and light, and the Canvas – for light. A seasonally shape-shifting art piece, Aki Illuminations (Anishinaabemowin: Earth Illuminations), celebrates solstice, equinox, and transformation.
Over the next two years, the Wàwàtesí concept will be transformed into a more detailed site design. The winning design emerged from a two-stage design competition, which culminated in the selection of five shortlisted concepts. The concepts were evaluated by a distinguished panel of experts in landscape architecture, Indigenous placekeeping, architecture, urban design, art and climate resilience.
Each concept’s ability to meet the evaluation criteria and technical requirements was considered through this process. The jury’s final decision was also informed by the public. Additional opportunities for public engagement, including selecting a permanent name for the new park, will occur at later stages of the project.
More details about the project are available on the City’s New Park at 229 Richmond Street West webpage.
An aerial view of Wàwàtesí. Image courtesy: West 8
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How will Wàwàtesí integrate Indigenous culture into its park design?What environmental benefits will the new downtown park provide?How does the park's multi-level woodland experience enhance urban green space?In what ways will the park support community engagement and arts events?How will the park's design address seasonal changes and climate resilience?Latest City Profile
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