[xy3]

We should be looking to NYC pocket parks for inspiration.

Not windswept stuff on the corner of two roaring roads.

 

[nightstreak]

The site should be combined with the building next door, redeveloped and incorporate a protected courtyard /pocket park if possible. Parks exposed to the corner of huge busy streets are very unappealing.

Parks along busy streets are usually unappealing if they're a small patch of green isolated in a space dominated by those busy streets. Noise from cars bounce off buildings, creating a noisy environment and all you see is more concrete beyond the little park you're in.

Now, what if the city is trying to flip that relationship, consolidating the intersection into a park intersected by roads? If they plan to collect one more corner, the one with the gas station (or require a POPS from the inevitable development of that lot), then suddenly you're not in a noisy intersection, you're in a larger park environment with the noise of cars buffered by trees and green space visible beyond the corner you're in. I would include Scollard with the same treatment they did to Scott St. along Berczy Park.

So, I generally disagree with the sentiment in this thread so far. This park will improve Frank Stollery Parkette. I agree with @Northern Light that this should be subject to a competition so that both parks feel like one.

 

[Northern Light]

Now, what if the city is trying to flip that relationship, consolidating the intersection into a park intersected by roads? If they plan to collect one more corner, the one with the gas station (or require a POPS from the inevitable development of that lot), then suddenly you're not in a noisy intersection, you're in a larger park environment with the noise of cars buffered by trees and green space visible beyond the corner you're in. I would include Scollard with the same treatment they did to Scott St. along Berczy Park.

The currently hibernating Canadian Tire site proposal...........which will return...........

featured green space at the corner:

I haven't seen the site plan for the new, impending iteration yet..........but I expect that corner will remain green.

 

[nightstreak]

The currently hibernating Canadian Tire site proposal...........which will return...........

featured green space at the corner:

View attachment 638672

I haven't seen the site plan for the new, impending iteration yet..........but I expect that corner will remain green.

There you go, exactly what I had in mind. Now, there'll be 3 green corners tied together into an intersection that is effectively a park. Each parkette on their own would feel isolated and overwhelmed by concrete and traffic but together, they become the predominant environment.

It's not often that the city gets right these grand plans that require multiple separate pieces, but they're getting this right, whether intentional or not.

 

[Northern Light]

There you go, exactly what I had in mind. Now, there'll be 3 green corners tied together into an intersection that is effectively a park. Each parkette on their own would feel isolated and overwhelmed by concrete and traffic but together, they become the predominant environment.

It's not often that the city gets right these grand plans that require multiple separate pieces, but they're getting this right, whether intentional or not.

This is exactly my thinking.

That a small micro park I would normally oppose could work here, providing it's done properly, in a coordinated design with other adjacent/nearby spaces, and the neighbouring streetscapes.

To be clear, there is an abundant risk of this being done badly.......... but there is also a real opportunity to do it well.

 

[AlexBozikovic]

We should be looking to NYC pocket parks for inspiration.

Not windswept stuff on the corner of two roaring roads.

Exactly.

This is going to cost a shocking amount of money.

Zero chance it becomes an attractive or useful public space in our lifetimes. This makes no sense unless it’s a square, and this is utterly the wrong location for a square. Lack of enclosure, poor adjacencies, no ped traffic, surrounded by fast-moving cars.

What happens across the street is irrelevant IRL. Nobody is crossing a traffic sewer to wander from one small park into another.

Meanwhile, Village of Yorkville Park, which is a success - and has the right location and an important design and is very well used - is falling to pieces. Money from the development across the street at 148 Yorkville should be going there, obviously, instead of 819 Yonge.

 

[Northern Light]

Nobody is crossing a traffic sewer to wander from one small park into another.

While I agree with the statement, broadly, I would point out that currently, if Ford doesn't make a mess.....Yonge is one lane each way, with medium term plans (early 2030s) to extend wide sidewalks and nice streetscapes up to Davenport.

Church/Davenport is currently 4 lanes.........but should be and could be narrowed to two.

Meanwhile, Village of Yorkville Park, which is a success - and has the right location and an important design and is very well used - is falling to pieces.

What exactly is falling apart? I'm not doubting you, but perhaps I can phone a friend..............

***
I won't excuse the above, but I wonder if they were thinking of holding back investment for the eastward expansion of the Park to Bay.

 

[nightstreak]

Nobody is crossing a traffic sewer to wander from one small park into another.

It's not meant to be Trinity Bellwoods or High Park. It's a greened intersection. Why would people need to constantly cross from one side to another? Find a park bench, have a seat and enjoy a park environment with trees softening city noise, welcoming birds and colouring the visual grey of the area.

This makes no sense unless it’s a square, and this is utterly the wrong location for a square. Lack of enclosure,

Trees!

no ped traffic

Hundreds of people already live directly at this intersection with approximately another 2000 units planned.

poor adjacencies

The base of those new buildings will provide reasons to be there. Banks if they're looking out into concrete road, cafes if they look out into a park environment.

surrounded by fast-moving cars.

Yes, why would all the people who live nearby want to spend any time in an intersection currently dominated by roads and concrete?

Thank you Mr. Bozikovic for helping make the argument that this intersection doesn't currently work and needs to be softened and greened so people who live here actually want to stick around.

Zero chance it becomes an attractive or useful public space in our lifetimes.

That's a pretty morbid outlook on the next 5 to 10 years.

 

[Tyrang]

Exactly.

This is going to cost a shocking amount of money.

Zero chance it becomes an attractive or useful public space in our lifetimes. This makes no sense unless it’s a square, and this is utterly the wrong location for a square. Lack of enclosure, poor adjacencies, no ped traffic, surrounded by fast-moving cars.

What happens across the street is irrelevant IRL. Nobody is crossing a traffic sewer to wander from one small park into another.

Meanwhile, Village of Yorkville Park, which is a success - and has the right location and an important design and is very well used - is falling to pieces. Money from the development across the street at 148 Yorkville should be going there, obviously, instead of 819 Yonge.

But I live around Yorkville and I think Village of Yorkville Park is not really falling apart? I actually kinda think it is nicer over the past couple of years...

I actually think the parks would be nice around Church and Yonge too.... It will be more annoying for me to get gas if they convert the gas station into parks but that is an ugly corner. If I have to drive another 5 mins to get gas - it will worthwhile to get that area a bit nicer. Because quite frankly it is a dramatic drop in aesthetic in that intersection no matter which direction you walk from - that intersection sucks right now.

 

[rdaner]

^All great points! I wonder if using the word ‘park’ is causing confusion as it brings specific features to mind? Perhaps…

 

[xy3]

Even putting funds towards cleaning up existing ravines is a far better idea than investing in this poorly conceieved park