There are two concepts which form the foundation of the importance of public realm projects in the Bay Cloverhill neighbourhood.
Living Urban Block |
Pedestrian Green Loop |
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Toronto and many other cities have started to experiment with pedestrian priority streets and lanes. Many of these are designed to enhance the retail experience or to enrich the local nature of an existing low-rise neighbourhood. The need in Toronto Core is different. Downtown Toronto needs to make new recognizable places for people living in all of the new high-rise buildings, where positive connections could be established between people and the places that they use in the definition of themselves.
Multiple names have been given to the idea: pedestrian priority, shared space, naked streets or simply the Dutch ‘woonerf’. Vehicles are typically allowed, as are bicycles, but all traffic is encouraged to move at walking speed. Everything along the street can be accessed by vehicles, but the street ceases to be a short-cut that motorists use to reduce their travel time across the downtown core. This new role for the public realm can be suggested by design clues or enforced by traffic rules, or both. The side streets (and lanes) on the west side of Yonge Street between Charles Street and College Street would be a natural place to apply this thinking. The area has a rapidly expanding residential population. Through a historical accident, none of these side streets connect directly across Yonge Street. Today, the streets are frequently used as short-cuts across downtown. Local residents should be given priority. These side streets warrant elevation to defining downtown residential neighbourhood places. Given all of the new residential buildings that Toronto has approved and the very limited new green space, the City owes it to old and new downtown residents to consider giving priority to pedestrians on as many downtown side streets as possible. |
Our vision includes a downtown inner green loop walking promenade connecting neighbourhoods, green spaces and parks. Beginning in the north east at Charles Street East. The loop passes through the three linear parks to the south. Crossing Wellesley Street, the walk continues south crossing Carlton Street and on to Granby Street and McGill Parkette where a pedestrian signalized traffic light would allow crossing Yonge Street before moving north through College Park to Grenville Street. There the path would traverse the 2G Grenville-Grosvenor development and move north along Opera Place Park and the Leaf Garden through the new Dr. Lillian McGregor Park and up Bay Street to the Learning Lane. The walk passes through Clover Hill Park and along St. Mary Street before returning along Charles Street to the start. Suitable lighting, signage and trail markers along with some tabled crosswalks would be required to make navigation safe and easy.
The narrow linear parks between Charles Street and Dundonald Street inspired the communities on both sides of Yonge (Bay Cloverhill Community Association and Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association) to advocate for recognition of a new pedestrian loop (shown in dotted green). This green pathway would encourage residents to be physically active and engage with their fellow residents in the neighbourhood. Opportunities exist to convert underutilized areas into small parkettes, such as the one way right turn lane at Elizabeth Street and Grenville, the laneway adjacent to 95 St. Joseph Street, the rear of 475 Yonge Street, the Toronto Parking Authority walkway on Wellesley Street and creation of a walkway between 26 Grenville and 27 Grosvenor redevelopment. While some sections exist or are being developed, the goal is to encourage future developments to contribute to the Green Loop to allow it to become a respected and valued feature of the neighbourhood. |
The following are public realm projects that have been completed, or in process.
Bay Street Bioswale
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The bioswale is a bioretention system under the sidewalk, on both sides of Bay Street between Charles Street and College Street. The underground Silva cells both treat stormwater and contain soil/space to allow the root system of trees to thrive. In addition to the many varieties of trees installed in 2012, annual flowers are planted. In 2020, you may have seen the special commemorative bright orange tulips to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Holland’s liberation by Canada’s military.
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Hydro Pole WrapsYou may have noticed 63 hydro poles with a Boston ivy pattern wrap, on Bay Street from College Street to Charles Street. Not only is it nice to look at greenery rather than rusted hydro poles, the decorative laminate covers are also adhesive resistant, which discourages posters and graffiti.
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Great White Oak Bench in Queen's Park
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In November 2019, an 187 year old white oak in Queen's Park was no longer sustainable. The wood from this tree has been reclaimed and the tree trunk is being designed by local firm Just Be Woodsy into a Victorian style 12 foot double sided bench for Queen's Park North and will be installed close to the original location of the tree. In addition, planks for the outdoor play area in Bishop Strachan School were created.
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Neighbourhood Walking Tours
Now you can explore Toronto with StrollTO tours available on their website at this link: StrollTO Bay Street Corridor. The Bay Cloverhill neighbourhood is included in the Bay Street Corridor tour, which features buildings such as Queen's Park, the mansions on Elmsley Place and the Native Child and Family Centre.
Jane's Walk "Facadism 2: Bloor-Yorkville-Yonge-College" highlights building facades of architectural history and interest that have been preserved and integrated into new construction projects, including the Bloor Cloverhill neighbourhood.
The possibility of enhancing the existing Uptown Toronto Discovery Walk to include the ‘green loop’ of park areas in the neighbourhood is being investigated.
Jane's Walk "Facadism 2: Bloor-Yorkville-Yonge-College" highlights building facades of architectural history and interest that have been preserved and integrated into new construction projects, including the Bloor Cloverhill neighbourhood.
The possibility of enhancing the existing Uptown Toronto Discovery Walk to include the ‘green loop’ of park areas in the neighbourhood is being investigated.
Traffic Measures
One of the BCCA’s goals are to create a pedestrian friendly environment by redesigning local streets to create a safe and spacious environment for residents to travel around the neighbourhood. There are plans in place to create a pedestrian priority area on Breadalbane Street, adjacent to the future Dr. Lillian McGregor Park. There is a unique opportunity to create a park extension in the street area, closed to non-emergency traffic on a temporary or permanent basis. A similar possibility exists for St. Joseph Street, from Bay Street to Queen’s Park Crescent East, in conjunction with Daniels.
As part of the process, we are working with CentreCourt and the City of Toronto to enhance the curb expansion areas on St. Joseph Street by installing planters and barriers to replace the existing barriers installed by the City of Toronto Transportation Department. These barriers are designed to discourage vehicles entering the one way street in the wrong direction, as well as reduce vehicle speed in the residential area. Construction is scheduled for Summer 2022.
Discussions are underway to brick part of St. Mary Street while increasing sidewalk space for pedestrians, which will encourage vehicles to drive slower and more carefully. This work is being coordinated with Canderel and will provide a direct view to the beautiful arched gateway entrance to Victoria College.
New traffic lights were installed at Grenville and Bay in early 2021. Another set of traffic lights were activated at St. Mary and Bay in November 2021.
The possibility of installing a pedestrian crosswalk on the busy Queen's Park Avenue near Hart House is being promoted.
Plans are underway for pedestrian friendly improvements on Breadalbane Street to connect the green spaces on either side of the street. To start with, permeable pre-cast concrete unit pavers using a standard provided by the Transportation Division, will be installed on the portion of Breadalbane Street directly adjacent to Dr. Lillian McGregor Park.
As part of the process, we are working with CentreCourt and the City of Toronto to enhance the curb expansion areas on St. Joseph Street by installing planters and barriers to replace the existing barriers installed by the City of Toronto Transportation Department. These barriers are designed to discourage vehicles entering the one way street in the wrong direction, as well as reduce vehicle speed in the residential area. Construction is scheduled for Summer 2022.
Discussions are underway to brick part of St. Mary Street while increasing sidewalk space for pedestrians, which will encourage vehicles to drive slower and more carefully. This work is being coordinated with Canderel and will provide a direct view to the beautiful arched gateway entrance to Victoria College.
New traffic lights were installed at Grenville and Bay in early 2021. Another set of traffic lights were activated at St. Mary and Bay in November 2021.
The possibility of installing a pedestrian crosswalk on the busy Queen's Park Avenue near Hart House is being promoted.
Plans are underway for pedestrian friendly improvements on Breadalbane Street to connect the green spaces on either side of the street. To start with, permeable pre-cast concrete unit pavers using a standard provided by the Transportation Division, will be installed on the portion of Breadalbane Street directly adjacent to Dr. Lillian McGregor Park.
Yonge Street Revitalization
The City of Toronto has launched the ‘yonge TOmorrow’ program to recommend ways to increase and improve pedestrian space on Yonge Street between College Street/Carlton Street and Queen Street. The recommended plan has pedestrian priority with one way driving access and cycle tracks. The design elements are being finalized and construction is expected to start in 2023. The next phase of the plan will be Yonge Street from between Bloor Street and College Street/Carlton Street. Planning for the second phase is underway and estimated to start in 2023. www.yongetomorrow.ca
The ActiveTO Midtown Complete Streets project covers Yonge Street from Davisville Avenue to Bloor Street. It was a temporary project that installed protected bicycle lanes and allowed on street/curbside patios in April 2021, as part of pandemic recovery efforts. The project was extended in 2022, due to the success in increased pedestrian and cyclist traffic, with a minimal increase in vehicular traffic times. In February 23, City Council voted to make the temporary project a permanent fixture.
https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/public-consultations/infrastructure-projects/activeto-midtown-complete-street-pilot-project/
The ActiveTO Midtown Complete Streets project covers Yonge Street from Davisville Avenue to Bloor Street. It was a temporary project that installed protected bicycle lanes and allowed on street/curbside patios in April 2021, as part of pandemic recovery efforts. The project was extended in 2022, due to the success in increased pedestrian and cyclist traffic, with a minimal increase in vehicular traffic times. In February 23, City Council voted to make the temporary project a permanent fixture.
https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/public-consultations/infrastructure-projects/activeto-midtown-complete-street-pilot-project/
Street Signs
In February 2016, the inaugural Bay Cloverhill neighbourhood street signs were installed to identify the community. A total of 51 signs were put in place to help identify the Bay Cloverhill area. The logo on the signs was designed by artist Carol Westcott to reflect the sustainable orientation of the Bay Cloverhill Community Association and the mixture of buildings located in the area.
Neighbourhood Lanes
There are many lanes in the area that contribute to the quaint residential feel of the neighbourhood and connect main to secondary streets.
In 2007, several lanes were named. St. Basil Lane commemorated the adjacent St. Basil Seminary and The Order of St. Basil, whose international headquarters are on St. Joseph Street. St. Vincent Lane was designated after the tiny track that ran north of Grosvenor Street prior to the creation of Bay Street in 1922. Terauley Lane was termed to honour the original name of Bay Street in 2007. Terauley Street ran south from Grenville Street prior to the reconfiguration of Bay Street in 1922.
In 2008, St. Luke Lane was named after St. Luke's Church. It was demolished in the early 1900's to accommodate the construction of Bay Street, which replaced Chapel Street. The Ontario Chrysler car dealership was then built, and replaced by 1001 Bay condominium building in 1988.
In 2009, Cottage Lane was selected in honour of the 10 Victorian cottages that are adjacent to the lane.
In 2013, a portion of Elizabeth Street was renamed Emily Stowe Way in honour of the first female doctor in Canada.
In 2019, the small lane north of Wellesley, west of Yonge was named Bistro Lane, to commemorate well known bistros over the past 40 years, such as Bistro 990 and Segovia, that have closed and been replaced by condominium buildings. La Scala Lane was named after the famous Italian restaurant that was located at the southeast corner of Bay and Charles from 1962 to 1993.
Other small streets in the neighbourhood include Inkerman Street, Phipps Street, and Elmsley Place.
In 2007, several lanes were named. St. Basil Lane commemorated the adjacent St. Basil Seminary and The Order of St. Basil, whose international headquarters are on St. Joseph Street. St. Vincent Lane was designated after the tiny track that ran north of Grosvenor Street prior to the creation of Bay Street in 1922. Terauley Lane was termed to honour the original name of Bay Street in 2007. Terauley Street ran south from Grenville Street prior to the reconfiguration of Bay Street in 1922.
In 2008, St. Luke Lane was named after St. Luke's Church. It was demolished in the early 1900's to accommodate the construction of Bay Street, which replaced Chapel Street. The Ontario Chrysler car dealership was then built, and replaced by 1001 Bay condominium building in 1988.
In 2009, Cottage Lane was selected in honour of the 10 Victorian cottages that are adjacent to the lane.
In 2013, a portion of Elizabeth Street was renamed Emily Stowe Way in honour of the first female doctor in Canada.
In 2019, the small lane north of Wellesley, west of Yonge was named Bistro Lane, to commemorate well known bistros over the past 40 years, such as Bistro 990 and Segovia, that have closed and been replaced by condominium buildings. La Scala Lane was named after the famous Italian restaurant that was located at the southeast corner of Bay and Charles from 1962 to 1993.
Other small streets in the neighbourhood include Inkerman Street, Phipps Street, and Elmsley Place.
Museum Station Accessibility Improvements
A secondary exit is required for the Museum TTC Station on University and Bloor. In addition, all TTC stations must be made accessible, which requires the installation of an elevator from the street level to the Museum Station subway platform. Plans are underway to construct a secondary exit that is located in the north end of Queen's Park. After that construction is completed, the elevator access will be installed.
Traffic Control Signal Box and Telephone Box Artwork
We strive to beautify the neighbourhood where ever possible. Traffic signals are controlled with typically grey cabinets installed on the sidewalk, but you will notice that some have been artfully decorated. The same goes for the Bell telephone utility boxes, also located on sidewalks, as part of the Out of the Box mural art program. You will see green hydro boxes scattered about the neighbourhood, but unfortunately these are excluded from the artwork programs.
In 2016, artist Jacqueline Comrie painted this traffic signal box at College and Elizabeth Streets called "March of the Suffragettes".
In 2016, artist Jacqueline Comrie painted this traffic signal box at College and Elizabeth Streets called "March of the Suffragettes".
Community Gardens
The amount of concrete in downtown neighbourhoods can be overwhelming. To add some greenery and character, we have a dedicated team of volunteers who maintain community gardens located on the following streets:
- Irwin Street
- (south side, west of Yonge Street)
- Created in 2009, a ‘chat corner’ was created beside the commercial building at 644 Yonge Street. Concrete planters with trees and shrubs, a bench and bicycle parking replaced the commercial boulevard vehicle parking that was being eliminated by the City to improve pedestrian safety as part of the Vision Zero program.
St. Mary Street
(north side, between La Scala Lane and St. Nicholas Street)
Adjacent to the U of T Student Family Housing apartment building playground at 35 Charles Street, hosta plants provide a restful background to the benches on the street.
(north side, between La Scala Lane and St. Nicholas Street)
Adjacent to the U of T Student Family Housing apartment building playground at 35 Charles Street, hosta plants provide a restful background to the benches on the street.
St. Joseph Street
(north side, east of Bay Street)
In front of the Polo II condo building, there are expansive concrete planters containing trees, shrubs and ground cover, edged with seating areas.
(north side, east of Bay Street)
In front of the Polo II condo building, there are expansive concrete planters containing trees, shrubs and ground cover, edged with seating areas.
St. Basil Lane
(west of Bay Street, north of Wellesley Street)
On either side of this quiet lane, the transition between condominium and office buildings into Basilian Brothers/University of Toronto buildings is softened with trees and shrubs. Some plants and shrubs were reclaimed when the U Condos sales office that was located on the site of Clover Hill Park was decommissioned.
(west of Bay Street, north of Wellesley Street)
On either side of this quiet lane, the transition between condominium and office buildings into Basilian Brothers/University of Toronto buildings is softened with trees and shrubs. Some plants and shrubs were reclaimed when the U Condos sales office that was located on the site of Clover Hill Park was decommissioned.
St. Luke Lane
(west side, west of Yonge Street, north of Grosvenor Street)
Behind the YMCA Family Development building at 15 Breadalbane, the lane is enlivened with green shrubs.
(west side, west of Yonge Street, north of Grosvenor Street)
Behind the YMCA Family Development building at 15 Breadalbane, the lane is enlivened with green shrubs.