Plans for Toronto “super park” could take city running to another level
Toronto mayor John Tory announced on Tuesday that significant donations have been made for developing the Don River Valley "super park." (Photo: Evergreen Brick Works.)
Trail running in Toronto has the potential to get an upgrade as the city’s mayor announced a crucial step in the process of developing the Don River Valley Park.
Six private donors have come forward and contributed $3.5 million towards the development of a 480-acre park in downtown Toronto. The proposed plan would add seven kilometres of forested trail connecting key parts of the Don River Valley area including the popular Evergreen Brick Works.
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The goal of the project is to revitalize the central Toronto location and connect Lake Ontario to Evergreen Brick Works. The area is being coined “super park” as the project includes a large portion of central Toronto along a key corridor in the Don Valley Parkway. Tory says that it could be a “big blueprint” for future park development, according to CBC Toronto.
An estimated 250,000 residents have quick access to the Don River Valley area with an additional 60,000 expected to move to the area in the near future. The area is already a popular spot among runners in the Toronto area as it provides somewhat of an escape from the bustling city centre.
The area would extend north to Pottery Road and as far south as Corktown Common and Lake Ontario. The goal is to raise $5 million for the park and the mayor’s office says that the city has already contributed $18 million towards the project.
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The Don River Valley Park website notes that many of the isolated areas have pathways and green areas but neighbouring communities are divided by rail lines, highways and the Don River. The “super park” campaign began in 2015 partnering Evergreen with the City of Toronto and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
The city plans on having new signage and upgrades to the trail this spring and is continuing to search for more donors to make the project come to fruition. Additional donations are believed to be required for the project to continue to the next phase of development.
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