Origin Story
A quiet conversation between BCCA members started a journey that resulted in the creation of a badly needed park in the Bay Cloverhill neighbourhood. One afternoon in 2011 or so, some leading ladies of the BCCA met for a coffee one day to discuss the sale of provincial land managed by Infrastructure Ontario. That led to months of weekly meetings in the Century Plaza amenities room, leading to strategies on how to best achieve the goal of installing a park at 11 Wellesley.
History
The original plans for the 2.1 acre site worth $75 million back in 1984 was to create a world class opera house. Premier Bill Davis’s Conservative government held a design competition where Moshe Safdie was chosen for the $311 million project. The Opera House Corporation was created to manage the property. Approval was granted in 1988 and the existing buildings on the site were demolished, with plans to begin construction in 1991.
In October 1990, Premier Bob Rae and the NDP were elected. In light of the recession, the province wanted to reduce the project scope. When the Opera House Corporation stood firm, the province pulled their funding. In 1992, the municipal and federal governments withdrew their financial support. The property became known as “East of Bay Lands”. The property remained mostly vacant, with the exception of being briefly used as a temporary skateboard park. The land adjacent to Bay Street was sold to Morguard who constructed condo buildings Opera House at 887/889 Bay Street in 1998 and Allegro at 909 Bay Street in 2000. A small piece south of Breadalbane Street was designated as green space. “East of Bay” Park was opened in 2002 as Leaf Gardens, and subsequently renamed Opera Place Park. The balance of the land east of Bay to west of St. Luke Lane became known as 11 Wellesley and reverted back to the province when Morguard didn’t develop it.
In October 1990, Premier Bob Rae and the NDP were elected. In light of the recession, the province wanted to reduce the project scope. When the Opera House Corporation stood firm, the province pulled their funding. In 1992, the municipal and federal governments withdrew their financial support. The property became known as “East of Bay Lands”. The property remained mostly vacant, with the exception of being briefly used as a temporary skateboard park. The land adjacent to Bay Street was sold to Morguard who constructed condo buildings Opera House at 887/889 Bay Street in 1998 and Allegro at 909 Bay Street in 2000. A small piece south of Breadalbane Street was designated as green space. “East of Bay” Park was opened in 2002 as Leaf Gardens, and subsequently renamed Opera Place Park. The balance of the land east of Bay to west of St. Luke Lane became known as 11 Wellesley and reverted back to the province when Morguard didn’t develop it.
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The Sale of 11 Wellesley
In 2012, Infrastructure Ontario decided to put the surplus land up for sale. The pleas of Councillor Wong Tam, MPP Glen Murray, BCCA, CWNA with other community and local resident groups for the provincial government to convert the land into a park went unheeded. At that time, Ward 27 had the 2nd densest population in the City, with the most development of any Ward and the least local parkland in the City.
In July 2012, Councillor Wong Tam made a motion to City Council to purchase the land to be used as a park, but lost out in the competitive bidding process that started in August 2012. Lanterra was the successful bidder with a purchase price of $65 million. In October 2012, Councillor Wong Tam was successful in obtaining monies from the City’s Government Management downtown parkland dedication fund for the three Lanterra developments (The Britt, Murano and Burano) in the neighbourhood. Then Councillor Doug Ford eventually ended up supporting the allocation of funds.
In July 2012, Councillor Wong Tam made a motion to City Council to purchase the land to be used as a park, but lost out in the competitive bidding process that started in August 2012. Lanterra was the successful bidder with a purchase price of $65 million. In October 2012, Councillor Wong Tam was successful in obtaining monies from the City’s Government Management downtown parkland dedication fund for the three Lanterra developments (The Britt, Murano and Burano) in the neighbourhood. Then Councillor Doug Ford eventually ended up supporting the allocation of funds.
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Community Activism
Occupy Toronto was commissioned by the local community associations and residents to paint the 11 Wellesley Street West hoarding in July 2012. A $5,000 settlement from Lanterra related to their Burano development was used to purchase paint and supplies. The volunteers dawned white painter's overalls and painted in the middle of the night a 24’ x 15’ sign “Welcome to Wellesley Green Park”. When the Infrastructure Ontario security guards responded to a call for graffiti, instead of errant teenagers with spray cans, they found mature residents who suggested they go for a coffee and they would not find anyone on their return.
A Facebook Group was set up in July 2012 called “Save Wellesley Green Park”. A letter writing campaign to Premier Dalton McGuinty ensued and a petition with 3,000 signatures was delivered to the Ontario Legislature.
The park concept had the support of Toronto Centre MPP Glen Murray. He reminded the Ministry of Infrastructure “of the obligation and promise of the province to balance and mitigate the effects of intensification.” without success.
In August 2012, members of the community and their supporters rallied at Queen’s Park to show Premier McGuinty that the densely populated neighbourhood wanted and deserved green space. The community banded together with Councillor Wong Tam pulling a red wagon and protested outside Queen’s Park with chants of “What does democracy look like”. The area density in 2012 was double the provincial “Places to Grow” policy target, and 20 years earlier than forecast. Councillor Wong Tam spoke at the rally, as did Governor General’s Medal recipient and National Aboriginal Achievement Award winner Danny Beaton, an environmental protector who is a Turtle Clan Mohawk of Grand River Six Nations Territory.
Local residents then continued to paint more hoarding along Wellesley St. West to 925 Bay Street one summer afternoon in September 2012 with This is Public Space”, “We Want a Public Park” with added art/graffiti along St. Luke's Lane.
Lanterra worked with Councillor Wong Tam and the Toronto Parking Authority to include a public open space and public parking.
A Facebook Group was set up in July 2012 called “Save Wellesley Green Park”. A letter writing campaign to Premier Dalton McGuinty ensued and a petition with 3,000 signatures was delivered to the Ontario Legislature.
The park concept had the support of Toronto Centre MPP Glen Murray. He reminded the Ministry of Infrastructure “of the obligation and promise of the province to balance and mitigate the effects of intensification.” without success.
In August 2012, members of the community and their supporters rallied at Queen’s Park to show Premier McGuinty that the densely populated neighbourhood wanted and deserved green space. The community banded together with Councillor Wong Tam pulling a red wagon and protested outside Queen’s Park with chants of “What does democracy look like”. The area density in 2012 was double the provincial “Places to Grow” policy target, and 20 years earlier than forecast. Councillor Wong Tam spoke at the rally, as did Governor General’s Medal recipient and National Aboriginal Achievement Award winner Danny Beaton, an environmental protector who is a Turtle Clan Mohawk of Grand River Six Nations Territory.
Local residents then continued to paint more hoarding along Wellesley St. West to 925 Bay Street one summer afternoon in September 2012 with This is Public Space”, “We Want a Public Park” with added art/graffiti along St. Luke's Lane.
Lanterra worked with Councillor Wong Tam and the Toronto Parking Authority to include a public open space and public parking.
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City of Toronto Land Purchase
The City’s purchase of the land for the park was finalized in 2013, and a ground breaking ceremony was held in June 2015. The condominium building at 11 Wellesley started being built in 2015 and finished construction in 2020. The building of the park began when the building of 11 Wellesley was winding down, with substantial completion in November 2021. The title conveyance to the City of Toronto became complicated with blanket easements with the adjacent properties.
Toronto Parking Authority
Also in 2012, the Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) was interested in constructing a surface parking lot on the lands. The TPA held discussions with Lanterra in 2013 about acquiring a stratified interest for an underground parking garage. In 2017, the City purchased a stratified interest in the lands for an underground parking garage for $6.85m. Today, a 134 space Green P public parking lot is open 24 hours.
Naming the Park
The undeveloped property was known as the “East of Bay Lands”.
One of the names originally suggested was “Jane Jacobs Park”, in honour of the journalist and activist who believed in city building that allowed the community to enjoy the diversity of urban living.
In 2016, the City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation department consulted with Councillor Kristyn Wong Tam, the Bay Cloverhill Community Association, the University of Toronto and other local groups to develop a shortlist of names for the park. The suggested names were: Miigwetch Park, Aanii Park, Dr. Lillian McGregor Park. The first two names mean ‘thank you’ and ‘hello’ in Anishinaabe. An online survey resulted in the public casting 1,464 votes.
The 1.6 acre L shaped park was finally named in honour of Dr. Lillian McGregor of the Whitefish River First Nation, who was recognized for her contributions in education and honouring indigenous culture. She was the first Elder-In-Residence at the nearby University of Toronto. The artwork of crane figures, reed screens, feather canopy and a medicine wheel are inspired by Dr. McGregor’s family clan sign.
The proposed opera house concept contributed to the names of two adjacent condominium buildings, Allegro and Opera Place. Allegro is the quick playing of a musical movement, or a lively brisk movement in ballet.
One of the names originally suggested was “Jane Jacobs Park”, in honour of the journalist and activist who believed in city building that allowed the community to enjoy the diversity of urban living.
In 2016, the City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation department consulted with Councillor Kristyn Wong Tam, the Bay Cloverhill Community Association, the University of Toronto and other local groups to develop a shortlist of names for the park. The suggested names were: Miigwetch Park, Aanii Park, Dr. Lillian McGregor Park. The first two names mean ‘thank you’ and ‘hello’ in Anishinaabe. An online survey resulted in the public casting 1,464 votes.
The 1.6 acre L shaped park was finally named in honour of Dr. Lillian McGregor of the Whitefish River First Nation, who was recognized for her contributions in education and honouring indigenous culture. She was the first Elder-In-Residence at the nearby University of Toronto. The artwork of crane figures, reed screens, feather canopy and a medicine wheel are inspired by Dr. McGregor’s family clan sign.
The proposed opera house concept contributed to the names of two adjacent condominium buildings, Allegro and Opera Place. Allegro is the quick playing of a musical movement, or a lively brisk movement in ballet.
Present Use
Wellesley on the Park is a 60 storey, 739 unit condominium building with retail on the lower floors and an underground Green P public parking lot. Dr. Lillian McGregor Park is a 1.6 acre green space built over the parking garage and includes the only off leash dog park in the neighbourhood.
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Design concept
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Layout
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Construction Progress
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May 2021
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August 2021
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December 2021
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October 2022
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Grand Opening
The main portion of the park opened to the public on September 29, 2022. The park is designed for community use, with multiple paths, a medicine wheel gathering area in the centre, a children's playground, benches, grass, plants and trees. Adding to the environment is the colourful aluminum artwork created by Winnipeg sculptor Kenneth Lavallee, who is Metis. The feather canopy, crane family and reed screens are not only beautiful, but practical, providing protection from the elements.
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The off leash dog park, called Breadalbane Park, opened on May 9, 2023 when Dr. Lillian McGregor Park was officially opened.
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The park's official opening ceremony was attended by members of the McGregor family, Elder Sylvia Maracle, sculptor Kenneth Lavallee, City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff, architects DTAH, Toronto Police Mounted Unit members Zoongide'ewin and Ogichidaa, Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association members, Bay Cloverhill Community Association volunteers, Councillor Chris Moise, MPP Kristyn Wong Tam, former MPP Glen Murray. It featured a moving performance by the Red River Singers.
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The existence of Dr. Lillian McGregor Park is a monument to dedicated and enduring efforts of the many caring and passionate community residents and dedicated politicians who cared about the Bay Cloverhill neighbourhood.