5: Design concepts – Engage Ontario Place

Introduction to the design concepts

The design of Ontario Place’s public realm is an iterative process, and the design team has been working to address feedback received to date from the public, stakeholders and Indigenous communities. Public feedback received during this public engagement event and virtual public engagement room will be considered as the design work advances through to Spring 2023.

Since Spring 2022, the design team has created several design concepts that show how feedback from the public, Indigenous communities and stakeholders could be represented across the site. This Virtual Public Engagement Room will explore these conceptual designs with you. As Ontario Place is such a large site, to help you navigate this process, the Virtual Public Engagement Room has been split into five different zones. Within each zone the design team has created different design concepts for you to comment on. The conceptual design drawings are supplemented with precedent images from other parks that help illustrate how designs could be realized at Ontario Place.

The design concepts under consideration are not only helping to create beautiful spaces but will also resolve key issues impacting the site. These issues are presented for each zone and should be considered when you are providing feedback on which design aspects you think are most appropriate. Your feedback for each concept will help refine the thinking and design of the public realm.

The design concepts shown are conceptual and are not final. These are intended only to inspire an opportunity for comment and feedback. Public feedback received during this public engagement event and virtual public engagement room will be considered as the design work advances through to Spring 2023. Feedback will also be used to update the criteria that each option will be evaluated against by the Environmental Assessment (EA) team. In Spring 2023, preferred concepts for each of the five zones will then be brought together as an overall site plan for final review, comment, and refinement.

Understanding design concepts

The Ontario Place Design team has participated in all consultation events to date. Their job is to distill your many ideas into a variety of design concepts for further consideration and assessment.
Today’s design concepts are being used to test how the input we received from you in April might be realized on site in the future.
These design concepts are being used to show you a range of potential uses and design features.
Based on feedback from today, the design team and the EA team will work together to assess the different design concepts to identify what features should be considered further as the design work evolves.

The design assessment is a mandatory component of the Class EA process and all, part or none of the conceptual design plans for each zone may be carried forward following assessment. Feedback will also be used to update the criteria that each concept will be evaluated against by the EA team.

The Zones

The five zones are the key spaces that define the character of Ontario Place and are captured by the current EA process:

Site map of Ontario Place with 5 zones highlighted in different colours; the Mainland; Brigantine Cove, the Forum (in the centre of the east island), the Public waterfront (on the southern shore of the east island), and the Marina.

Zone 1: Water’s Edge

Site map of Ontario Place with the Public waterfront highlighted around the entire site, but highlighted darker along the southern shore of the east island, between Trillium Park and the Marina.

Photo of a grass area with trees abutting a paved surface with Lake Ontario on the other size of the paved surface — Current conditions of the southern waterfront on the east Island.

Image of a body of water (Lake Ontario) on the left with the shoreline and a paved pathway in the center of the image and trees on the right. — Pathway along the waterfront at Ontario Place.

Design considerations

Issues

Aging infrastructure.
Flooding.
Inaccessible shoreline.

Opportunities

Update infrastructure.
Create water access and maintain views to the water.
Improve public spaces
Maximize flood and storm protection.
Create an ecologically sensitive shoreline.

Concept A: Stone Lookouts

Widened shoreline edge.
Using shoreline protection to physically expand public realm.
Accessible during all seasons.
Raised elevation for flood protection.
Lookouts and access to water for swimming and other recreational uses.

Rendered image of the south shoreline of the east island showing a stone lookout, a thickened and elevated shoreline and a stone edge. A continuous public walkway is shown along the waterfront with c. — Conceptual Design Only – Subject to Further Consultation

Large stone steps descend into water. — Access to the water

A view of the waterfront edge at Barangaroo Reserve in Sydney Australia. We envision a similar strategy for the southern lakefront at Ontario Place. — Access to the water

Concept B: Planted piers

Planted, greener edge condition.
Less access to water for users than Concept A.
Raised shoreline for flood protection.
Stormwater management.
Lookouts and access to water for swimming and other recreational uses.

Rendered image of the south shoreline of the east island showing a stone lookout, planted edges, thickened and elevated shoreline, new lake edge planting, and a boardwalk overlooking the waters edge. A continuous public walkway is shown along the waterfront with the south lawn behind it. — Conceptual Design Only – Subject to Further Consultation

Picture of a shoreline with rock shelves and plants growing between the shelves — Hard and soft shoreline

Picture of a shoreline with plants and a city skyline in the background — Hard and soft shoreline

Feedback/comments

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Zone 2: The marina

Site map of Ontario Place with the Marina highlighted

Image of a paved pathway to the left with boats in a body of water to the right and marina buildings in the background — Existing Marina looking east

Design considerations

Issues

Flooding.
Stagnant water and poor circulation.
Vacant buildings in poor condition.
Deteriorated public realm.
Lack of amenities and commercial activity.
Lack of shaded areas and places for public seating.

Opportunities

Improve water quality.
Diversify boating slips / users.
Preserve heritage structures.
Generate commercial opportunities and increase activity.
May be subject to modifications in future.

Concept A: Park Marina

Recreate marina buildings as open-air park canopies for picnics, barbeque and shade along the waterfront.
Rebuild existing buildings, as necessary.
Create a greener marina with more shade.
Focus on maximizing public space.

Rendered image of the marina with a new lighthouse, boardwalk, and commercial cluster on the south-east side. A new waterway connection splits the north-east and south-east sides. The north-east side shows canopies and a pop-up event plaza. The west side shows a marina office and amenities and a welcome bridge connects the east and west sides. — Conceptual Design Only – Subject to Further Consultation

Rendered image of a marina with canopies and chairs and tables, planted areas, and trees. Two boats are shown in the water. — Public spaces + pop-up

Picture of a building with skinny triangular roofs amongst trees along a body of water with the sun setting — Public spaces + pop-up

Concept B: Ontario Port

Cultural hub for various place making opportunities
Diversify or expand boat slips
Vibrant commercial activity
Wood boardwalk along both side of the marina for water’s edge experience

Rendered image of the marina showing a lighthouse, and terraced docks on the south-east side. The north-east side shows shade canopies, a public plaza and potential commercial uses. The west side shows a cultural hub and a welcome bridge connects the east and west sides. — Conceptual Design Only – Subject to Further Consultation

People sitting at an outdoor restaurant along a body of water to the left and a building to the right. Tall city buildings in the background. — Marina food and beverage

Two people kayaking in a two-person kayak with the Toronto city skyline in the background — Marina food and beverage

Feedback/comments

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Zone 3: Brigantine Cove

Site map of Ontario Place with Brigantine Cove highlighted

Photo of a water cove and shoreline with a stone pathway to the right and an outdoor stage in the backgroun — Current conditions of Brigantine Cove.

Design considerations

Issues

Poor water circulation.
Edged by parking and paving.
Flooding.
Very limited access to water.

Opportunities

Water access.
Increased tree canopy.
New water’s edge.
May be subject to modifications in the future.

Concept A: Event + Activities

Reinstates original Hough edge boundary.
Large lawn becomes a place for events and activities.
Landscaping and trees used to mitigate weather.
Land-based boardwalk edge.
Improved water circulation and quality.

Rendered image of brigantine cove showing a wood boardwalk along the water with water access to the east. Inland from the boardwalk is a McMillan Treehouse, a children’s play zone and washrooms. — Conceptual Design Only – Subject to Further Consultation

A person sitting on a bench on a paved pathway along a sandy beach — Land-based boardwalk

A picture of a shoreline with a sandy edge bordered by a retaining wall with grass on the other side — Land-based boardwalk

Concept B: Wetland + Nature

Evolved Hough design, altering shape of Cove.
Floating boardwalk system.
Wetland creation.
Focus on creating new opportunities for enhanced ecosystems and ecology.
Improved water circulation and quality.

Rendered image of brigantine cove showing floating boardwalks and floating wetlands over the water. A wetland edge is shown and water access is to the east, with an inland playground and washrooms — Conceptual Design Only – Subject to Further Consultation

Image of an adult and a child standing on a boardwalk in a forested area — Passive recreational nooks

Image of a boardwalk over top of a body of water with lots of plants and trees along the water edge — Passive recreational nooks

Feedback/comments

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Zone 4: The mainland

Site map of Ontario Place with the Mainland (bordered by Lakeshore Boulevard to the north and the water to the south) highlighted

A picture of a paved walkway lined with trees, leading to a structure that has Ontario Place and Budweiser Stage signs on it — Paved surfaces on the Mainland at Ontario Place.

A picture of cracked paved surface along the water with weeds growing between the cracks — Paved surfaces on the Mainland at Ontario Place.

Design considerations

Issues

Expansive parking and asphalt area.
Aging infrastructure.
Under-utilized water’s edge.
Poor waters’ edge experience.
Limited greenery.

Opportunities

Consolidation of roads and parking areas
Waters’ edge promenade.
Reduced paving and increase surface permeability.
Flood and storm protection, stormwater management.
Martin Goodman trail connections.
May be subject to modification in the future.

Concept A: Urban and Active

Active and diverse experiences.
Hard and soft landscape, including plazas and an urban beach.
Waters’ edge promenade.
Dedicated pick up and drop off.

Rendered image of the mainland showing the Martin Goodman Trail along lakeshore boulevard and an arrival plaza to the west. A central gateway is shown leading to a cloud gateway connecting to the islands. A pick up and drop off location is shown between the central gateway and the east parking lot. A public promenade is shown along the water with an urban beach at the water’s edge to the east of the cloud gateway. — Conceptual Design Only – Subject to Further Consultation

A picture of a sand beach with wooden chairs under pink umbrella — Urban beach

People walking on a wooden boardwalk along a body of water and a group of people in kayaks. There are city buildings in the background. — Urban beach

Concept B: Green gateway

Focus on passive recreation uses and less active zones.
More green character with extensive planting and minimal hardscape.
Sheltered, enclosed public spaces.
Extends ‘park feel’ onto mainland.
Dedicated pick up and dropp off area.

Rendered image of the mainland showing an arrival plaza to the west. A central gateway is shown leading to a green gateway connecting to the islands. A pick up and drop off location is shown between the central gateway and the east parking lot. A public promenade is shown along the water with a waterfront wetland at the water’s edge to the east of the green gateway. — Conceptual Design Only – Subject to Further Consultation

Picture of benches on a path with a wavy paving pattern and planted areas behind the benches — Planted plaza

An image of hammocks between trees — Planted plaza

The mainland parking

Within the Mainland focus zone, there are three potential solutions for parking: surface parking (existing), above ground parking, and underground parking. Any mainland parking solution considered should meet the following project objectives:

Not limit or negatively impact new public spaces on site.
Protect for heritage views of Pods and Cinesphere from Lakeshore Blvd.
Meet municipal policies for waterfront development.
Allow for increased provision of parking to meet demand.

Aerial image of Ontario Place with the west mainland parking lot circled

Feedback/comments

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Zone 5: The forum

Site map of Ontario Place with the Forum (the centre and gateway of the east island) highlighted

Image of a paved surface in front of a grassy area and a fenced of hill will a tall structure with stairs — Current conditions of the central area of the east island.

Design considerations

Issues

Poor quality landscape (asphalt)
High degree of run-off, flooding, and storm water management issues.
Requires adequate space for large scale events and celebration.

Opportunities

Provide open, flexible gathering space for outdoor events.
Connections from the mainland to the southern waterfront.
Restore existing and add new public washrooms.
May be subject to modifications in future.

Concept A: Fountain + flexible space

Highly flexible space able to accommodate wide range of programming and users.
Mix of soft and hard landscape.
Offers high-level of accessibility.
Moveable furniture creates outdoor rooms and spaces.
Central fountain becomes all-season destination (for example, ice rink in winter).

Rendered image of the centre of the east island showing a central play fountain and activity lawn with a main promenade to the west. Moveable tables and chairs are shown throughout and there are some areas of stone paving and others with stone fines. A washroom is shown to the south-west. — Conceptual Design Only – Subject to Further Consultation

A picture of kids playing in a water fountain on a paved surface — Water Plaza

An image of people sitting on wooden benches with attached planted boxes in a stone courtyard — Water Plaza

Concept B: Sports + recreation hub

Defined space with specific sports activities contemplated.
Primarily hard landscaped.
Structures would be required for amenities such as change rooms, washrooms and Opportunity for an ice track in winter months.

Rendered image of the centre of the east island showing a central hockey rink, basketball court and activity lawn. A main promenade and washroom are shown to the west. A running track is shown traveling around the rink, court and lawn. — Conceptual Design Only – Subject to Further Consultation

A picture of people playing basketball outside — Recreatinoal fields and courts

A picture of a paved surface with curvy white lines painted on it — Recreatinoal fields and courts

Feedback/comments

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