Waawaatesi is a vision for a transformative world-class park that can become a true place of performance and reconciliation in the heart of Toronto’s arts district.
A 21st-century culture park that aims to be radically inclusive, the design is heavily informed by local Indigenous teachings, art, and philosophy, along with a healthy appreciation for the invisible and sublime, and the dynamic urban life and subcultures of Toronto.
Waawaatesi invites you to enter a multi-level journey through the woodlands from each of the four directions, as actor and audience in the theatre of life. A stream-like trail leads you along seven stepping stones with different experiential qualities. The Eastern Gateway – humane laneway and park welcome, The Balcony – place to watch and perform, The Riverbed Playscape – with hammocks and slide, The Grove – for fireflies, The Green – to gather, The Source – of water and light, and The Canvas – for light. Her seasonally shape-shifting art piece Aki Illuminations (Anishinaabemowin: Earth Illuminations) celebrates solstice, equinox, and transformation.
The winning design emerged from a two-stage design competition, evaluated by a distinguished panel of experts in landscape architecture, Indigenous placekeeping, architecture, urban design, art and climate resilience. Praising the design, the Jury noted in their report that the West 8 team “challenge[d] conventions around public space and public art” with a “clear and poetic narrative” and created “a thoughtful approach to providing a green oasis, with particular attention to the location of trees, the planting palette, and the intent to provide shade tolerant planting in the microclimate under the under the Balcony”. The Jury’s final decision was also informed by public input and comment from a City of Toronto Steering Committee and Community Advisory Group. Over the next two years, including community engagement, the Waawaatesi concept will be transformed and elaborated further into a more detailed site design. The construction of the City-owned 2,600 square metre park is anticipated to commence in 2025.
The site of the future park is located on the traditional territory of many Nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples that is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. We acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit.
Client
City of Toronto
Team
West 8 – landscape architecture
Minokamik Collective – Indigenous design partner
Native Art Department International – public artist
hcma architects – architect
ERA Architects – heritage and public engagement
kg&a – strategic communications and programming
Imagery
© West 8
