The Issue - Proposed Changes
The City of Toronto has been offered a $50m donation by the Weston family for 'enhancements', maintenance and programming of Queen's Park North. The consultation process is underway and the City has to decide whether to accept the donation and proceed with renovations to Queen's Park North. In addition enhanced ongoing maintenance and possible changes in governance will be considered.
For more details see the City's website on the Queen's Park North project at www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/construction-new-facilities/improvements-expansion-redevelopment/queens-park-north-revitalization/.
For more details see the City's website on the Queen's Park North project at www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/construction-new-facilities/improvements-expansion-redevelopment/queens-park-north-revitalization/.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
A City staff report on whether to accept the donation will be published shortly. It will be considered at the City of Toronto Executive Meeting in January 2026 and at City Council in February 2026.
Past Meetings and Events
A coalition of residents' associations virtually met with the City's consultant Wednesday June 11, 2025, Tuesday August 5, 2025 and Wednesday November 12, 2025.
The Friends of Queen's Park held an inaugural meeting Thursday July 3, 2025 and hosted a walk of Queen's Park North on Thursday July 17, 2025.
The City held the first in person and virtual Community Workshop on Monday July 28, 2025 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Central YMCA, 20 Grosvenor Street. They also hosted pop-ups in the Queen's Park North in a blue tent at the King Edward statue on Saturday July 19, 2025, Wednesday July 23, 2025 and Wednesday July 30, 2025. A second in person Community Consultation was held on Tuesday October 4, 2025. A third in person Community Consultation was hosted on Tuesday November 4, 2025 at the Central YMCA. Pops up were hosted on Saturday November 15, 2025 at Queen's Park North and Museum subway, Tuesday November 18, 2025 in Hart House and Wednesday November 19, 2025 in Queen's Park North.
Results of the City’s first online survey that was held in August 2025 have resulted in information sheets posted on the City’s website in October 2025.
The Friends of Queen's Park met on December 3, 2025 to review the inventory of amenities, review the latest design proposal and discuss next steps.
The deadline to complete a second survey on the vision, guiding principles and design ideas, plus to provide feedback for Phase 2B of the engagement process for the City of Toronto closed in mid December 2025.
The Friends of Queen's Park held an inaugural meeting Thursday July 3, 2025 and hosted a walk of Queen's Park North on Thursday July 17, 2025.
The City held the first in person and virtual Community Workshop on Monday July 28, 2025 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Central YMCA, 20 Grosvenor Street. They also hosted pop-ups in the Queen's Park North in a blue tent at the King Edward statue on Saturday July 19, 2025, Wednesday July 23, 2025 and Wednesday July 30, 2025. A second in person Community Consultation was held on Tuesday October 4, 2025. A third in person Community Consultation was hosted on Tuesday November 4, 2025 at the Central YMCA. Pops up were hosted on Saturday November 15, 2025 at Queen's Park North and Museum subway, Tuesday November 18, 2025 in Hart House and Wednesday November 19, 2025 in Queen's Park North.
Results of the City’s first online survey that was held in August 2025 have resulted in information sheets posted on the City’s website in October 2025.
The Friends of Queen's Park met on December 3, 2025 to review the inventory of amenities, review the latest design proposal and discuss next steps.
The deadline to complete a second survey on the vision, guiding principles and design ideas, plus to provide feedback for Phase 2B of the engagement process for the City of Toronto closed in mid December 2025.
Process
Since mid 2024, discussions have been ongoing with City staff, the University of Toronto, Royal Ontario Museum, Gardiner Museum and Royal Conservatory of Music. In March 2025, City Council approved the use of a $50m donation from the Weston Family for 'enhancements', maintenance and programming of Queen's Park North. The City started the consultation process with community organizations in June 2025 and residents in July 2025.
City Council will decide in December 2025 whether to accept the donation. If that happens, Phase 2, the community design process will continue until February 2026. It will be followed by Phase 3 design development and Phase 4 construction tendering in 2026. Phase 5 construction would happen in 2026 and onwards.
Something to keep in mind is the area directly south of Queen's Park North is the home to the Ontario Legislative Assembly which will be undergoing a much needed $1B renovation. In 2023, the provincial government introduced the Queen’s Park Restoration Act, 2023, which is currently in the planning stages.
City Council will decide in December 2025 whether to accept the donation. If that happens, Phase 2, the community design process will continue until February 2026. It will be followed by Phase 3 design development and Phase 4 construction tendering in 2026. Phase 5 construction would happen in 2026 and onwards.
Something to keep in mind is the area directly south of Queen's Park North is the home to the Ontario Legislative Assembly which will be undergoing a much needed $1B renovation. In 2023, the provincial government introduced the Queen’s Park Restoration Act, 2023, which is currently in the planning stages.
Design
In July 2025, the initial design was released as part of Phase 2A Confirming the Vision. The original priorities for the project were Indigenous place keeping, year round activities and programming as well as food and washroom facilities. As part of the project, the park would be operated by board members of a non-profit organization.
Janet Rosenberg & Studio was engaged and provided the following renderings of potential enhancements throughout the seasons.
Janet Rosenberg & Studio was engaged and provided the following renderings of potential enhancements throughout the seasons.
|
|
|
|
In November 2025, Phase 2B Exploring Options refined the design, vision and guiding principles. The idea of a skating rink disappeared. Major components introduced included the installation of forest understory plants, building an elevated treewalk, relocating the King Edward VII and Kildare statue from the centre of the park to create a flexible space for a council fire, food building, washrooms, information kiosk, speakers/musician platform and seating area. The existing obsolete fountain at the south west corner of the park would be replaced by a Hilary Weston memorial garden. The addition of a water feature was suggested and improvements to entrances and connections to the park were recommended. The vision was amended to put emphasis of the importance of trees and collaborative guidance. The guiding principles were revised to state the prioritization of protecting existing trees and continue maintaining the relaxing atmosphere. This included having a ‘light touch’ on any changes which included minimal activations/programming.
Feedback
We believe Queen's Park North should remain the "people's park". It is not a place for big events, numerous formal activations/programming. It should be a place to enjoy the trees and greenspace while enjoying a quiet refuge from the busy downtown area.
You can email your opinions to Mayor Olivia Chow [email protected], Ward 11, University Rosedale Councillor Dianne Saxe [email protected], Shannon Lawrence, Project Lead, Parks & Recreation [email protected] and Paul Farish, Director, Parks Planning & Strategic Initiatives Parks, Forestry & Recreation [email protected] and tell them what you think about Queen's Park North.
If you are interested in joining the "Friends of Queen's Park" committee, please email [email protected].
Have your say on what you think the future of Queen's Park North should be. Fill out our survey at forms.gle/jwjNqhvTZiQoD9wcA. Results are detailed at the end of this webpage.
You can email your opinions to Mayor Olivia Chow [email protected], Ward 11, University Rosedale Councillor Dianne Saxe [email protected], Shannon Lawrence, Project Lead, Parks & Recreation [email protected] and Paul Farish, Director, Parks Planning & Strategic Initiatives Parks, Forestry & Recreation [email protected] and tell them what you think about Queen's Park North.
If you are interested in joining the "Friends of Queen's Park" committee, please email [email protected].
Have your say on what you think the future of Queen's Park North should be. Fill out our survey at forms.gle/jwjNqhvTZiQoD9wcA. Results are detailed at the end of this webpage.
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Articles
Recently Toronto planning newsletter Novae Res Urbis published an article on the potential renovations to Queen's Park North.
"Posted with permission of the publisher of NRU Publishing Inc. Original article first appeared in Novae Res Urbis Toronto, Vol. 29, No. 36, Friday, September 12, 2025."
"Posted with permission of the publisher of NRU Publishing Inc. Original article first appeared in Novae Res Urbis Toronto, Vol. 29, No. 36, Friday, September 12, 2025."
| Revitalizing The Peoples Park by Chantel Watkins, NRU Publishing Inc. Sept 2025 |
History
Originally a farm, Queen's Park was opened as the first Canadian municipal park in 1860, named after Queen Victoria. The area was heavily forested, and when it was cleared for the park, a sawmill was built at 67 St. Nicholas Street to process the cut down tree. The sawmill workers lived in the ten adjacent cottages that were named after plants and native tree species (Oak, Ivy, Rose, Spruce, Beech, Birch, Maple, Ash, Elm and Hazel). In attendance at the opening was her son, an eighteen year Prince of Wales, who would later be known as King Edward VII. The area north of Wellesley Street is called "Queen's Park North", with the area south of that, including the Ontario Legislature Assembly building, known as "Queen's Park".
The lands on which Queen's Park is located belongs to the University of Toronto. In 1859, it was leased for 999 years to the City of Toronto. In 1880, a portion of the grounds was given to the Province of Ontario for construction of a new legislative building. Residents enjoyed family picnics and recreation in the park. There was a bandshell in the centre of the park and a speaker's corner for speeches or preaching.
There are numerous entry points and pathways to the 49 acre site (Queen's Park North, the Legislative Assembly Building and land south of it), as well as benches to enjoy a restful moment. Because of damage to the grounds caused by events hosting large crowds, no more special event permits were allowed in the park as of 2014.
"Trees for Toronto" is a City of Toronto and Royal Ontario Museum program that planted native trees in the park and the various species are identified with small signs. A fountain is located at the south end of the park, but it is currently not operational.
There are two important sculptures and a memorial located in Queen's Park North. The most popular is the central meeting place where the King Edward VII Equestrian Statue is located in the centre of the park. In 1919, this 5 ton bronze statue of King Edward VII and his favourite horse Kildare was commissioned from British sculptor Thomas Brock for installation in Mughal Red Fort in Delhi, India. It was given by the government of India to the City of Toronto, and relocated in 1969 to Queen's Park. At the north end of the park is the 48th Highlanders Regimental Memorial or "War Memorial". The 39 foot white granite pillar was designed by Eric Haldenby and Alway Mathers in 1923 and displays inscriptions, honours and engagements on each face. Order of Canada recipient and Governor General's Award winner Al Purdy was a poet memorialized as a statue by sculptors Edwin and Veronica Dam de Nogales in 2001, a year after his death.
An excellent history of Queen's Park is provided by the Ontario Heritage Trust, including quotes about the early days of the park "In 1884, C. Pelham Mulvany described Toronto’s parks and public gardens as “The Lungs of the City” and declared, “The Queen’s Park is emphatically the people’s park of Toronto. It is the favourite resort of our city." For the full article, visit
www.heritagetrust.on.ca/pages/programs/provincial-plaque-program/provincial-plaque-background-papers/queens-park-toronto
The lands on which Queen's Park is located belongs to the University of Toronto. In 1859, it was leased for 999 years to the City of Toronto. In 1880, a portion of the grounds was given to the Province of Ontario for construction of a new legislative building. Residents enjoyed family picnics and recreation in the park. There was a bandshell in the centre of the park and a speaker's corner for speeches or preaching.
There are numerous entry points and pathways to the 49 acre site (Queen's Park North, the Legislative Assembly Building and land south of it), as well as benches to enjoy a restful moment. Because of damage to the grounds caused by events hosting large crowds, no more special event permits were allowed in the park as of 2014.
"Trees for Toronto" is a City of Toronto and Royal Ontario Museum program that planted native trees in the park and the various species are identified with small signs. A fountain is located at the south end of the park, but it is currently not operational.
There are two important sculptures and a memorial located in Queen's Park North. The most popular is the central meeting place where the King Edward VII Equestrian Statue is located in the centre of the park. In 1919, this 5 ton bronze statue of King Edward VII and his favourite horse Kildare was commissioned from British sculptor Thomas Brock for installation in Mughal Red Fort in Delhi, India. It was given by the government of India to the City of Toronto, and relocated in 1969 to Queen's Park. At the north end of the park is the 48th Highlanders Regimental Memorial or "War Memorial". The 39 foot white granite pillar was designed by Eric Haldenby and Alway Mathers in 1923 and displays inscriptions, honours and engagements on each face. Order of Canada recipient and Governor General's Award winner Al Purdy was a poet memorialized as a statue by sculptors Edwin and Veronica Dam de Nogales in 2001, a year after his death.
An excellent history of Queen's Park is provided by the Ontario Heritage Trust, including quotes about the early days of the park "In 1884, C. Pelham Mulvany described Toronto’s parks and public gardens as “The Lungs of the City” and declared, “The Queen’s Park is emphatically the people’s park of Toronto. It is the favourite resort of our city." For the full article, visit
www.heritagetrust.on.ca/pages/programs/provincial-plaque-program/provincial-plaque-background-papers/queens-park-toronto
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recent Improvements
In 2019, $4,777,182 of Section 37, 42 and 45 development funds were used for design and renovations to Queen's Park North. The "Friends of Queen's Park" and the Bay Cloverhill Community Association worked with the City on this important project. The 1 km crushed limestone jogging/walking path along the edges was enhanced. The walkways were expanded and additional benches providing seating were installed.
In 2023, Queen's Park North was one of the parks included in the City's pilot allowing people to drink alcohol in parks.
In May 2024, a secondary exit for Museum TTC station was constructed in the park, allowing direct access to the subway. That same month, a Victorian style bench created from the trunk of an almost 200 year old Great White Oak tree was placed in the north east corner of the park, close to the original location of the tree.
A portion of the park at the north end is currently being used for construction related to the Museum TTC station elevator.
For the past few years, the Bay Cloverhill Community Association has been working with the University Rosedale Councillor to repurpose the non-operational fountain at the south end of the park, perhaps with an educational and artistic sundial. It might be an idea to replace the pavers around the King Edward VII statue with plants to discourage skateboarding.
In 2023, Queen's Park North was one of the parks included in the City's pilot allowing people to drink alcohol in parks.
In May 2024, a secondary exit for Museum TTC station was constructed in the park, allowing direct access to the subway. That same month, a Victorian style bench created from the trunk of an almost 200 year old Great White Oak tree was placed in the north east corner of the park, close to the original location of the tree.
A portion of the park at the north end is currently being used for construction related to the Museum TTC station elevator.
For the past few years, the Bay Cloverhill Community Association has been working with the University Rosedale Councillor to repurpose the non-operational fountain at the south end of the park, perhaps with an educational and artistic sundial. It might be an idea to replace the pavers around the King Edward VII statue with plants to discourage skateboarding.
|
|
|
|
Survey Results
On May 1, 2025 a survey was launched to get community feedback on what residents use Queen's Park North for and what they think of potential renovations and the establishment of a trust to operate the park. Here are the current results:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Respondents also took the time to make thoughtful comments. Here are a some selected opinions:
- History shows expanded use threatens the relaxed people watching under the shade of trees that people need. This park will connect to university park and should be maintained as a heritage landscape.
- Modest change should be allowed, but should not change the nature of the park.
- This is an exciting opportunity. The space must be developed thoughtfully and in a non-commercial manner. Sustainable plans for ongoing maintenance are critical.
- Leave Queen's Park alone. It is a quiet (except for demonstrations) green place where people play games fairly quietly, sit, read, and eat lunch, or even supper later in the summer. I would have suggested a washroom but it will just encourage people with tents. So until housing issue is solved, no washrooms. It has benches, tables, chairs, trees, grass. An oasis of quiet in our busy noisy city. Leave it alone.
- I love the recent restoration of the green parts of QP North and what a lush refuge it has become in the middle of a busy downtown. I think any further work on the park should go to enhancing these natural elements while adding important amenities like benches and washrooms - as well as for future maintenance of these spaces. Not sure we need a new event space to encroach on the green and potentially damage it.
- The upkeep of grass is poor and often scattered with trash. Since Queen's Park is a significant landmark in Toronto, it must be maintained to the highest standard to reflect Toronto as a world-class city. Improving the park to facilitate people exercising in the park is one key way to enhance the health and vibrancy of the neighborhood.
- Queen's Park has been a central part of my urban everyday almost every day since I started my undergrad studies at the U of T (St Michael's College) in the 1970s. It is the only "traditional" park -- a green, treed breathing space for quiet relaxation or recreation -- available to us in the city centre. it needs no bells or whistles, just green and trees and benches to sit on to enjoy the peace, the sun/shade, and the city rising around it. It is not an be event space or an indigenous space, it is everyone's space, a respite in our busy city.
- The park has just been upgraded. It should be left as it is but with better care - at the moment it is full of spent dandelions.
- Queen's Park North is a beautiful green space right in downtown Toronto. Many of the other parks in the area have a lot of concrete and are not fully a green space. The big trees, luscious grass, and calm aura are big attracting factors of the park. I really hope the committee appreciates this and understands the real reason people visit the park: to escape the noisiness and hustle-and-bustle of the city. Please don't start hosting activities or changing the beautiful park to something that takes away the main reason people visit the park!
- I fear a private trust will prioritize profit opportunities (cafes, paid concerts, etc) over the natural beauty and greenspace, as well as the enjoyment of park goers. Queen’s Park must remain natural and green, with minimal cemented spaces.
- We love that park! It just misses a safe playground area for the kids + a splash pad. If this can be developed safely, it would be our everyday-go to park. Please consider the kids area to be fenced or protected as the park is surrounded by traffic/bikers and we want our kids to be safe.
- I don’t necessarily see anything wrong with it, but it doesn’t really feel in step with the character of the Legislature grounds — provincial though they may be. What’s missing are the kinds of features that actually give people a reason to spend time there. A café, a bar, a gazebo, even a fountain — something that makes it feel like a true 'capital city' space and a destination in its own right.
- This should be 'for the people'. We have very little outdoors green space. The 'people' of the surrounding neighbourhoods should be involved in deciding what happens in and to the park.
- Ensure you maintain the PUBLIC character of this space - primarily for recreation, not demonstrations, which can continue south of the Legislative Assembly building.