Reimagining Lawren Harris Square: Resurfacing to Accessible Paving

PB2025 - Reimagining Lawren Harris Square: Resurfacing to Accessible Paving 

This idea proposes to improve all-season programming, utility and accessibility with emphasis on improved surfacing. Paving options are dependent on community consultation and mobility requirements that will invite future programming. 

Parks and Recreation staff have reviewed this idea and estimate that this project can cost $550,000 for materials and labour. Additional landscaping costs are not applied. Existing trees are within the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) jurisdiction. Complications may apply. 

Internal ID: PB2025-PR-709

*Note: Ideas that proceed to the voting stage are edited by my office to ensure they are clear, concise, and complete with images. For accountability and transparency purposes, the original description, as input by the resident, can be found below.

Original Description:

Lawren Harris Square sits quietly on the edge of Corktown Commons. The Square (~0.5 acres) remains underused and uninviting: grey for much of the year, inaccessible, and lacking programming or a sense of identity. It also fails to reflect the legacy of its namesake, Group of Seven artist Lawren Harris.

This proposal outlines a vision to transform Lawren Harris Square into a vibrant, accessible, and joyful public space that meets the evolving needs of a growing neighbourhood. By combining immediate activations with a long-term, community-led redesign, we can create a square that brings people together across seasons and generations.

In doing so, we can complement the grandeur of nearby Corktown Commons, supporting increased park use while carving out a unique identity rooted in art, play, and connection.

Immediate Improvements

To quickly activate the park and improve comfort and usability, we propose a series of low-cost, high-impact interventions:

Movable Seating: Install 10 - 12 contemporary picnic table-style seating to encourage lunching, gathering, and lingering.

Painted Planters: Add artist-designed or community-painted planters with native plants to introduce colour and biodiversity.

Public Art Banners: Mount Lawren Harris–inspired or locally created artwork on lamp posts or fencing.

Dog Waste Stations: Install dog waste dispensers, bins, and signage to support respectful dog use and cleanliness.

Activate through Play: Install temporary urban play / physical activity stations to introduce programming to the Square early on. Opportunity to reuse Winter Station art exhibits or commission public art play structures (i.e., Sonic Bloom by Yuri Suzuki)

These enhancements will make the space more inviting while supporting the redesign and pilot programming ideas.

Planning for a Legacy Park

To ensure long-term success, we propose a comprehensive, community-driven redesign of the park:

Community Engagement: Host public consultations to gather ideas and identify priorities from residents and stakeholders.

Hire a Landscape Architect & Public Art Consultant: Engage design professionals to develop a cohesive vision.

Create a Comprehensive Concept Plan: Address circulation, accessibility, seating, planting, public art, play, and event infrastructure.

Celebrate Lawren Harris’s Legacy: Integrate artistic and thematic elements that honour the Group of Seven and connect to Toronto’s broader cultural identity.

Programming Opportunities

The following ideas, developed by the streetscape committee, outline potential programming and amenities that would activate Lawren Harris Square throughout the year:

Art & Culture

Rotating outdoor art installations (e.g., Winter Stations, local artists)

Seasonal public art displays

Lamp post banner artwork

Painted planters celebrating Lawren Harris and community creatives

Utility & Access

Accessible walking paths with improved surfacing

Event-ready infrastructure (e.g., power access)

Community Gathering

Contemporary picnic table-style seating to encourage lunching, gathering, and lingering. (incl. chess tables)

Fire ring for winter comfort

Community bulletin board for local events and initiatives

Play & Wellness

Outdoor exercise equipment, ping pong tables, and stretching areas

Small-scale, sculptural play features for all ages

Designated dog relief zone with appropriate amenities

Conclusion

With the neighbourhood continuing to grow, now is the time to invest in Lawren Harris Square. Through thoughtful design, meaningful community engagement, and creative programming, we can transform this overlooked space into a lasting legacy that reflects the spirit of the neighbourhood and brings joy to all who visit.