C40 Cities Challenge: Parkdale – Bridging the gap

Proposal Overview

Reconnect the neighbourhood of Parkdale to Lake Ontario’s waterfront and improve equity through housing, connectivity, green space, and local economic development.

Neighbourhood Context

Once a small waterfront village, Parkdale became part of the City of Toronto in the late 1800s. The area became a destination with the opening of Sunnyside Amusement Park in 1922, which created an exciting waterfront scene until it was torn down in 1955 for the construction of the Gardiner Expressway. This car-centred project also demolished housing, paved over parkland and effectively severed waterfront access. The area has evolved into a hub for new immigrants, and became home to several city housing projects. Today, Parkdale is a vibrant and diverse community but faces challenges due to underfunding of social housing and services, gentrification and unaffordable housing, as well as an ironic lack of parkland.

Key Elements

Affordable Housing & Complete Streets

Rezone to allow-as-of right midrise and mixed-use development
Incentivise purpose-built rental housing, particularly family-sized units
Incentivize conversions of single-family homes to multi-tenant housing as defined by the city’s
“New Framework for Multi-Tenant (Rooming) Houses”
New city built and run subsidized housing building.
Partner with Indigenous organizations for dedicated housing
Safer bike lanes, wider sidewalks.
Active ground-floor retail for a “15-minute city”

Garden Bridge over the Gardiner

Green pedestrian/cycling bridge linking Dowling Ave to the Martin Goodman Trail
Trellis bridge railing design references historic Sunnyside rollercoaster
Features include native plants, nature & history plaques, and seating
Endangered and at-risk species

Parks over Parking Lots

Replace car lots with green and people-centred public spaces
North Bridge: Community garden, playgrounds, basketball court, flex space
South Bridge: Beach, flex space, playground, dog park, combined public washrooms & changing
facilities, and a large open-air pavilion for all-weather use

Local Economic Development

Flexible spaces for pop-up markets, community gatherings, and parking as needed
Retail space reserved for local businesses
Cultural events to attract visitors and boost the neighbourhood economy