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City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release

March 27, 2025

City of Toronto welcomes proposed donation to support revitalization of Queen’s Park North

Queen’s Park North is a historic part of Toronto’s downtown landscape. To help unlock the potential of this public space, Toronto City Council has directed City of Toronto staff to begin conversations to accept a significant donation to revitalize the park.

The Weston family has offered to collaborate with the City and provide an estimated $50 million to fund enhancements to Queen’s Park North, with additional support to ensure long-term maintenance and programming in the space.

The proposed project is also supported by strong partnerships with the University of Toronto, the Gardiner Museum, Royal Conservatory of Music and Royal Ontario Museum, and would look to include integration of their programming into the renewed park.

City staff have been instructed by Council to conduct community and Indigenous engagement, along with design exploration starting this spring prior to entering into a donation agreement for the funding.

Those conversations will inform the scope and details of the agreement while also ensuring important public feedback is collected. City staff will report back to Executive Committee in the fall with a recommended path forward.

Dedicated in 1860 as Canada’s first municipal park, the green space is one of the largest downtown parks and is leased to the City by the University of Toronto for a 999-year term.

Proposed enhancements in the park will provide familiar and new reasons for residents and visitors to stop, enjoy and linger. Renewal of Queen’s Park North will provide opportunities for Indigenous placekeeping, winter activation, arts and cultural programming, environmental education, and year-round amenities such as food and washrooms, while protecting the existing tree canopy.

The Weston family has previously supported revitalization and development work at Grange Park, Evergreen Brickworks and Garrison Common, as well as the revitalization of new parklands created in Scarborough through the Meadoway.

The City is committed to improving green spaces in Toronto in response to population growth, climate change and other pressures. A renewed Queen’s Park North will connect with recently improved open spaces at the University of Toronto, support the City’s longer-term vision for University Park and advance Council plans for improving the park system in the downtown core and across the city.

More information on the revitalization project is available on the City’s website (www.toronto.ca/QueensParkNorth)

Quotes

“For Toronto residents, parks are an invaluable resource for promoting health and wellbeing, ecological sustainability and community cohesion. Revitalizing Queen’s Park North with the support of the Weston family will create a signature park: a welcoming and vibrant space that demonstrates the City’s commitment to enhancing parks and public spaces as the City’s population grows and evolves.”

- Mayor Olivia Chow

“During my time as Lieutenant Governor, I often looked out my office window at Queen’s Park North and those enjoying its walkways and historic trees. As one of the city’s most historic natural spaces, it has always reminded me of the vital role that parks and gardens play in bringing people together, inspiring connection and enriching communities. I’m delighted our family is able to work with the City on this exciting revitalization to see Queen’s Park North thrive for generations to come.”

- Hon. Hilary M. Weston, CM, CVO, OOnt

“This revitalization of Queen’s Park North is an important step forward in realizing the park’s full potential. Situated in the heart of the University of Toronto’s downtown campus, adjacent to our recently re-greened historic front campus and Philosophers’ Walk, the renewal of Queen’s Park will create a vibrant centrepiece in the city’s core. The University welcomes the Weston family’s support for reimagining Queen’s Park North, which strongly aligns with the University’s plans for renewal of its green spaces and strengthening their relationship to the broader public realm within the city.”

- Meric Gertler, President, University of Toronto

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit www.toronto.ca or follow us on X at x.com/cityoftoronto, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofto.

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Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca

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