Spend several hours shooting some of the area as well taking in several conversations with various people both public and part of the Waterfront Toronto Team going back as far as 2002. Never heard anything negative about the area from the public and a lot of suggestions for the next phase as well for the new developments starting in 2027 with infrastructures and new residents start moving in 2030-31.
No street parking and better transit were the two key points with RT servicing the area ASP. If one looked at the parking around the area, no empty space could be found. There is a plan for a temporary parking lot on the west side of Cherry St starting at the Lakeshore come 2026-27, but it is clear that transit needs to be a lot better than it was today. Got off the 504C to catch the 202 but walk from Mills due to the long line up for the 202 as well traffic backup on Cherry to Mills. The 114 was peak load leaving the area. Hello QQE LRT, and it was pointed out to visitors that it is coning when the money is found for it and more on it later.
Some of my thought for the current phase and future phases where splash pads for kids, more drinking fountains, notices you can bar que in the picnic area, signs to say what type of animal, birds, fish exist in the area with room to add more over time as they find a new hone here. No street parking other than for delivers and service, very little need for a vehicle in the first place with transit at your front door. Seen this types of sings elsewhere. Got a lot of questions as to what type of bird’s people were seeing and said did not know as not my area but do know a few types.
I asked the question if the trails if they will have names and no one including Chis could answer it other than more trail maps will be posted in time as not all trails are open for phase one at this time. One thing I noticed for the trails was the fight between cycles and walkers where riders had to walk in many places or real slow trying to find an opening. It was the same with walkers as some were slow or ended up standing in the centre as a group blocking the flow of walkers. Seen this elsewhere and people will have to deal with it as best as they can.
Having a chance in the past to walk some of the new area last year, and a real big change with the growth of things since then. Seeing the playground up close is a lot better than shooting it from the distance. Need another two days to tour the whole area as well shoot like I have in the past.
Come September, this area will be swap with visitors who want to see it for the first time along with returners who want their kids to enjoy the area or a place to look a nature returning to the area. I know CBC has let the public know about the opening of the part with CTV on sight today and see nothing on the Star website.
Seeing canoes, kayaks and suffering in the river was a nice thing with more to come when a rental place for them opens in the coming years.
The one surprise to see was the two dog parks with no dogs in the west one. Dogs having a great time in the east one.
I do agree the need for bike racks as well rentals with the rental happening sooner than later once a spot is found for them. As for fencing to the South Cherry St bridge, it there as that area as well on the south side is still under construction. The goal was to get as much of this new park open this month with the rest following later this year. Like I thought early this year that this new park wouldn't open this month as plan, Waterfront Toronto was seeing the same thing with EllisDon doing a major push last month to make it happen.
All I can say, enjoy the new area and look forward to the next various opening. There will be public meetings and events rest of the year for the next phases and that is all I know at this time
No idea when photos will be online as I have a few 1,000’s in my backlog still to do. I was planning on doing a video of the area but will leave it to a better sunny day as well early in the day when I have time. May get back down there again on Sunday.
I hope folks where giving the Waterfront Toronto Team suggestion or comments on what they saw, did not like or want to see.
