The Toronto Waterfront. It has gone through So. Much. Change. The once worn-down and dormant sea port has undergone a 30-year-long revitalization program, and hot-damn, does it look good! Spurred by Toronto’s lost-bid for the 2008 Olympics, the city continued to move forward with the infrastructure plan and committed to reviving the Waterfront. #worthit Just a side note, the Harbourfront vitalization started in the early 70’s.
Happy Places
Let’s be frank, finding excursions or things to do (that we can film) in the winter proved difficult when it came to the Waterfront. There were glass blowing classes available in the Harbourfront Center, but they can’t be filmed :’( That said, we did find some cool happenings in and around the lake.
The revamped shoreline plays host to some unique events. The Happy Place pop-up was a recent one that flooded our instagram feeds, and it was our first dip into what the Waterfront has to offer. This also made us think about our personal happy places, especially the comforts we relish during the chill of a Toronto winter. We’ll each be showing off our happy places – coming soon!
History Buffs Unite
The Waterfront is steeped in history, and Fort York is a great place to begin your historical journey. Ewan Wardle, Program Director of Fort York, was so generous with his time, giving us a personal tour of the Fort York Museum. If you want a personalized, uncrowded experience, definitely check this place out in the wintertime.
Do you love dark history like I do? We found some gruesome unsolved mysteries of the Waterfront. Like in the 1980s, when the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) was digging the tunnel for the Union and Queens Quay connection, they unearthed a huge whale bone. It was believed to be part of the Piper’s Zoo, where the rotting whale carcass was the main attraction. However, carbon dating has debunked that theory. So, how did it end up there? Still a mystery to this day. More of these stories will be coming your way.
Welcome to the Future
We can’t talk about the Waterfront without mentioning efforts like the former York Street off-ramp parkette, the Port Lands Floor Protection Project, and Rees Ridges. These forward-thinking plans focus on mix-use space with a holistic approach for the residents, visitors, and business needs. Hows that for a pitch? It’s actually great news for anyone who’s planning on working, living, or breathing in the area.
The former York off-ramp parkette is becoming a public space called Love Park, which according to the designer, will distinguish this block “ …as an oasis of slowness and delight, a counterpoint to the urban intensity of the surrounding mixed-use neighbourhood.” Nice.
The Port Lands project responds to climate change and the imminent sea level rise, putting the underdeveloped Don Lands to better use. Finally, you know the pedestrian bottleneck around the Air Canada Centre? Well, the Rees Ridge projects aims to bring a little green to that concrete quadrant.
The Waterfront revitalization projects are a long game, but it’s going to be worth the wait! As each new plan comes to fruition, you’ll hear it from us first (maybe second, if the city papers beat us to the punch — but the challenge is on).
Winter + Skating + Waterfront = Wonderland
Yup, strapping on the ice shoes and sliding around the Harbourfront Centre and along the Bentway. Watch as Jan learns how to skate at the tender age of 46. You’re welcome!
The Toronto Waterfront bears the brunt of winter: howling winds, choppy waves, driving snow…it can all be a bit much. But of course, so much depends on your perspective! We hope our little adventures along the lake bring a little warmth to your chilly days, and maybe even motivate you to throw off the blanket and get out there!
