What are the main elements of the draft Toronto Foreshore Master Plan?

    The Plan presents the opportunity to transform the Toronto Foreshore into an attractive and vibrant recreational destination and includes:

    • an expanded playground incorporating water play, flying fox, train playhouse and nature play
    • outdoor fitness equipment
    • expanded amenities and cafe
    • creation of a town green including new pavilion and terraces for community events and everyday use
    • increased shade structures and barbecue facilities
    • enhancement of the terraces including upgraded and new pathways and lake lookouts
    • lakeside path with opportunities for increased interaction with the water, and
    • extension of the greenway shared path. 

    What sort of feedback did the community give about the draft Master Plan during the last round of community engagement?

    Feedback was generally positive, with 78 percent of survey respondents agreeing the Plan was on the right track.

    Traffic and parking was raised as a common theme among those not supportive of the Plan.

    Traffic and parking is a broader planning issue that will be addressed holistically through a Transport Management Plan for Toronto.  

    The draft Plan seeks to achieve a balance in providing some car parking on the foreshore while maintaining as much of the foreshore’s finite open space as possible for people to enjoy.  

    Will there be on-site parking?

    Formal on-street parking of up to 30 spaces, plus eight additional parking spaces to service the small-scale building is proposed for Bath Street. The new public square adjacent to the Toronto Amateur Sailing Club provides 12 parks, and the two disabled parking spaces are retained near the cafe on Wharf Road.  In response to feedback received through the last round of consultation, drop-off spaces are also proposed at Bath Street, the town green public square and Wharf Road.

    What parking at Bath Street will be available for the community and Royal Motor Yacht Club (RMYC) to use?

    The Bath Street precinct will accommodate a small-scale building, with the balance available as open space. This is consistent with community sentiment from previous consultation. Formal on-street parking for up to 30 cars is proposed, plus eight additional parking spaces to service the small-scale building.

    As a private entity, the RMYC is required to provide adequate parking for its member and guests.  RMYC members and guests will be able to use the proposed formal on-street parking on Bath Street along with other community members. 

    What was the feedback on removal of the boat ramp at Wharf Road, and how has this been addressed in the Master Plan?

    Sixty-five per cent of survey respondents were supportive of the removal of the Wharf Road boat ramp, given its shortcomings in terms of access, safety and suitable infrastructure, and opportunity it affords in terms of providing additional open space, boardwalk and playground expansion.

    Comments received from those unsupportive of the removal of the boat ramp included the need to provide suitable alternatives. The perceived limitations of some of the boat ramps in the area were highlighted.

    In conjunction with the design of the foreshore and the Lake Activation Strategy, Council will investigate the potential to upgrade the boat ramp facilities at Toronto Lions Park to provide for potential increased usage.

    What is proposed for the Bath Street boat ramp?

    The Bath Street boat ramp is owned by Crown Lands and leased by the Toronto Royal Motor Yacht Club (RMYC). This boat ramp is not a Council facility, and any public use of the ramp by non-RMYC members is managed by the RMYC. The use, maintenance and management of the boat ramp is the responsibility of the RMYC.

    On-street parking on Bath Street will provide for the needs of visitors with a lakeside drop-off point, but will not provide for trailer parking. Providing on-street parking for trailers on a dead-end street with narrow turning space would replicate the issues experienced at Wharf Road.

    There is opportunity to improve the existing boat ramp facilities at Toronto Lions Park, which can accommodate trailer parking requirements. This will be investigated in conjunction with the design of the foreshore and in tandem with the Lake Activation Strategy.

    What are the plans for the rotunda?

    The proposed removal of the rotunda received mixed responses during the most recent round of consultation. Some noted the poor quality and functionality of the structure, while others stated it is well utilised for events and gatherings. The need for shade was consistently identified among responses.

    On the basis of this feedback, the design team reviewed the space to determine how shade could be retained, either through retention of the rotunda or a replacement structure.

    The Plan recommends a pavilion, designed and located to complement the foreshore, taking its character from the large canopy of the cafe. The benefits of this option include:

    • Improved integration with the broader path network, including the broadened accessible and more direct path from Victory Parade to the cafe. Locating this path further south to retain the rotunda will require the removal of established vegetation and reduce the area of the expanded playground area.
    • Closer proximity to Victory Parade, with the Pavilion providing a welcome point and providing shade in areas that receive little now.
    • Its location at the top of the town green amphitheatre, talks to the performance space and potential new stage at the water’s edge.

    Does the Plan propose netting the baths?

    Improvements to the baths, including potential netting, will be considered holistically as part of the Lake Activation Strategy, which will identify opportunities to improve and provide new infrastructure to support water-based recreation activities.

    What other changes have been made to the draft Plan in response to community feedback?

    Drop-off points

    Comments highlighted the opportunity to provide drop-off points near the lake and cafe to enable elderly family members to be dropped off and/or equipment including water craft e.g. paddle boards and kayaks. 

    Drop-off points have been incorporated into the Plan at Bath Street, the public square at the town green and Wharf Road.

    Cycling and walking

    Feedback identified the need to clearly illustrate the proposed shared pathways in the Master Plan area and which are pedestrian-only.

    The Plan clearly differentiates between the shared (extended) green way and the pedestrian-only routes along the lake.

    Heritage

    Acknowledgement and celebration of the rich culture and heritage of the site was identified by some respondents as being important.

    Opportunities for interpretation will be investigated as part of detailed design of the foreshore.

    Toronto Amateur Sailing Club

    Members of the Toronto Amateur Sailing Club identified a preference for ramp access to launch boats into the water in front of the club building in addition to separate entry and exit to the public square and parking from Victory Parade to enable a drop-off loop. 

    The Plan has been modified to provide separate entry and exit into the public square from Victory Parade, which can accommodate drop-off and parking for up to 12 cars. This space can also be transformed for markets, performances or spill-over area for rigging during sailing events.

    An upgraded edge to the water allows clear movement along the foreshore. A ramp for boat access into the water is provided in lieu of the previously proposed boardwalk.