Downtown Yonge BIA Executive Director Mark Garner (second from left) presents $250,000 toward the revitalization of College Park as a “jewel in the downtown crown.” (L-R) Julie Robinson, Canderel Residential Group; Mark Garner, Downtown Yonge BIA; Kristyn Wong-Tam, Councillor, Ward 27; Ray Stukas, Parks Manager, City of Toronto.
Downtown Toronto’s second largest park area is getting a boost from the Downtown Yonge BIA, which is contributing $250,000 to revitalizing College Park green space.
“We have seen a major transformation of the College Park building and other sites in the neighbourhood, and we believe it’s important to improve the public realm as well,” said Downtown Yonge BIA Executive Director Mark Garner. “Renewal of the park area, which is second in size only to Allan Gardens in the city core, will create an oasis – a great place to relax and play amid the downtown hustle and bustle.”
The $250,000 contribution is the first of its kind by a Toronto BIA to a major municipal project. “We often advocate for the City to spend on various initiatives. It’s only fair that sometimes we put in our own organization’s money,” Garner said. “We encourage other BIAs to similarly contribute to neighbourhood improvement projects.”
As noted on the City of Toronto website, the aim of the revitalization project is to “re‐establish College Park as a beautiful, vital, safe and sustainable public open space.” The current park area, which was constructed in the mid‐1980s on top of a parking garage, will be demolished in 2016, with the new park – including an artificial ice rink/reflecting pool, washroom building and green landscaped areas – to be completed in 2017. It will occupy three‐quarters of a hectare, bounded by Yonge, Bay, College and Gerrard Streets.
