[kimro22]

and dogs..

 

[Tuscani01]

^ I also went down this weekend (Saturday afternoon) and the place was pretty busy for a closed park. There were two gaps in the fence that surround the park where people were entering from. I saw a group playing soccer, with a small crowd gathered to watch, there were people jogging, people checking out the canoe and other just sitting around enjoying the sun. Also saw a picnic going on with a group of kids who bought some sushi at the Sobeys.

This park is going to get some great usage once its open, considering how well used it is when its not even open.

 

[tgam]

I went to the park this evening. There were quite a few people using it, including an aerobics class. The park is interesting, but as with all things Toronto, there's a distinct sense it could have been better.

Pluses: the canoe, the skittles, the hill, the beyond spectacular views of the city, the open space
Minuses: plantings already torn up, over-designed program (whimsical evocation of city's past PLUS homage to Terry Fox), field turf area is graded for some reason, random bits of asphalt, south edge of park problematic

Asphalt!

 

[gristle]

The light stands are already tilting. That's very Toronto.

All they need now is to be papered over with a thousand ugly posters.

 

[wyliepoon]

I visited the park after work on Thursday. The park was still largely fenced off, except for a few gaps, so the park had the feeling of a prison yard. I enjoyed the vistas from the park, such as Gardiner traffic-watching from the red canoe.

One criticism I have of the park is that it doesn't look very children-friendly. With all the talk about whether downtown or Cityplace is a place to raise kids, the lack of a playground at the park seems to say that kids aren't really welcome at the park.

 

[yyzer]

great report wylie, thx!

 

[Ramako]

Great photos wylie. I especially like this one:

I never thought that the architecture of CityPlace could look so sharp and layered. I've come to expect the towers of CityPlace to appear as one amorphous gray blob, but in this photo each building displays a vibrant and distinct (though related) style. All this scene is missing is leaves on the trees, people frolicking in the park, and perhaps a street car or two.

I'll hand it to Concord; they've learned from their earlier mistakes east of Spadina. If it weren't for the fact that they seem adverse to retail, I'd be downright excited to see what they'll come up with on the new parcels west of the park.

 

[TOBoy]

Great pix Wylie. I think when all the vacant lands are filled, the park will seem to be enclosed and surrounded and the view from the park will be even better, like a very small version of Central Park.

Cheers.

 

[dt_toronto_geek]

Great photos above, they really capture the space well. I can't wait to get down there. I even like some of the CityPlace buildings in the photographs above, designs sure have improved.

 

[SP!RE]

The best thing about this new park is the new vistas and viewpoints it gives us. And seeing so much green grass in the shots with the Gardiner and those small red-brick condos along Queen's Quay-- all I could think was WOW. Greenery!
Lovely shots!!!

 

[Rowe]

Wow, I've been dying to go see CityPlace, it has really changed the skyline in Toronto.
Beautiful photos.

 

[Wrk_InProgress]

I never thought that the architecture of CityPlace could look so sharp and layered. I've come to expect the towers of CityPlace to appear as one amorphous gray blob, but in this photo each building displays a vibrant and distinct (though related) style. All this scene is missing is leaves on the trees, people frolicking in the park, and perhaps a street car or two.

I'll hand it to Concord; they've learned from their earlier mistakes east of Spadina. If it weren't for the fact that they seem adverse to retail, I'd be downright excited to see what they'll come up with on the new parcels west of the park.

Some good points. I'd go so far as to say that even some of the less acclaimed buildings east of Spadina (like HVE) would be appreciated more, if they were located elsewhere in the city.

Looking at the great pictures that wylie provided, my only (additional) lament is that the orange cladding for Parade isn't more vibrant, like the red on Neo.

 

[lead82]

Neat looking little park. I'd wish the city opens it already. Just seems bureaucratic to leave it as is. It needs some flowers or more shrubs as the planter areas are looking too barren. It will look great in the peak of summer when everything is green. Question is, what do to here in the winter when it's all grey and white?

 

[MetroMan]

The park was designed with the winter in mind. For example, the sloped hill was built to become a tobogganing hill in the winter.

 

[khris]

The park was designed with the winter in mind. For example, the sloped hill was built to become a tobogganing hill in the winter.

If you don't mind running into some trees. It seems to me that idea was scrapped.