So, there’s big news for anyone interested in purchasing a new condo unit at Minto Westside in Toronto at Front and Bathurst. A third new park has just been confirmed right across the street from the residence!
The King West neighbourhood is often criticized for not having enough open greenspace, which we actually don’t understand because Fort York/Garrison Common is within walking distance, and Victoria Memorial Square Park is steps away, but anyway, there are big park plans in the works.
The three future parks around Minto Westside include Rail Deck Park, Mouth of the Creek Park, and the latest, the unnamed park on the northwest corner of Front and Bathurst.
Front and Bathurst
Via Google Street View
At 28 Bathurst, there is a 2.3-acre, city owned site, which used to be a lead smelter for car battery carcasses. “We have very few opportunities to create green space in downtown Toronto,” says Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon in a recent CBC article. “We should definitely be taking advantage of it…for quality of life, for mental, spiritual and physical health.”
Build Toronto conducted a study to determine the cost of preparing and cleaning the land for residential use. The study discovered that it would cost $25 million. To transform the site into a green space will cost $5 million. That should make all the dog owners at Minto Westside happy!
Rail Deck Park
Mayor John Tory recently unveiled the next steps for Rail Deck Park, an ambitious plan to construct a park in the unused airspace above the train tracks from Bathurst to Blue Jays Way. This 21-acre park would be unlike any park in Toronto. The City is currently exploring strategic partnerships to get involved in the development and funding of Rail Deck Park. A real estate analysis, and engineering and structural assessments are in progress.
“There is a significant park deficiency in the downtown, where 75% of parks are less than half a hectare, and where we are seeing a significant amount of growth. In order to ensure we are creating complete communities, we need to respond to the park deficiency that exists today,” says Jennifer Keesmaat, Chief Planner for the City of Toronto, in a recent release. “The rail corridor is the last opportunity to secure 21 acres of contiguous space. This is a once in a generation opportunity.”
Mouth of the Creek Park
Right on the other side of the Bathurst bridge (south side of the tracks) is where Mouth of the Creek Park will be. The two-acre park is divided into three sections. The ‘high and dry’ Panorama Lookout offers views of Fort York and the downtown core. The Garrison Lowlands will feature marsh-like vegetation, a limestone shingle beach, and a children’s play structure. The embankment will connect the upper and lower areas.
How many other new condo developments in downtown Toronto are surrounded by three new parks? For more information about the available units at Minto Westside, visit the condo gallery at 700 King Street West Monday to Wednesday from 12 pm to 7 pm or on the weekend from 12 pm to 5 pm. You can also call 437-836-8586 for details.
