The design for this award winning urban park reflects the history of Village of Yorkville and the diversity of the Canadian landscape. Transforming the idea of the Victorian collection box, the park is arranged into a series of gardens where the row houses once stood. Each garden contains a distinct collection of plant communities referencing the environments of Canada, ranging from the upland forest down to the riparian marsh.

Innovative technologies helped develop unique features within the park that included mist-emitting light columns, a rain/icicle curtain and “The Rock” – the most challenging and controversial feature of them all. A 600-ton fragment of Canada’s glacial shield was removed, piece-by-piece, from the lake region north of Toronto. It was then reassembled in the park, carefully situated on top of structural beams that span the roof of the subway. Despite early skepticism, the rock has become an attraction and source of civic pride.

Awards:
ASLA President’s Award of Excellence, 1997
City of Toronto Urban Design Award of Excellence, 1997
International Downtown’s Association Award of Merit, 1997