HTO Park Beach Play Date

Sand, water and small hills.

All toddler's favorites. I'm sure babies will enjoy the view too.

Here's some back ground information from City of Toronto's website

http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=38c8dada600f0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

Ground Planes

The site was reformed to create a tilted plane that acknowledges two aspects: the urban side and water side. At selected viewing points, a series of tilted planes break through the surface as places for sitting and gathering. Umbrella-dotted terraces step down to the lake. In addition, a pattern of linear surface planes running east-west across the parks abstractly recall the railway tracks that fed the now-defunct industries of the acre.

Water

A series of connected water elements accentuate the theme of water returning to its source. Each element is programmed to celebrate the intrinsic qualities of water. These include motion activated sprays, steam and fog, variations in colour and coloured ice.

Islands

The overlay of green islands provide gently sloping lawns for repose. Islands that meet residential buildings become horticultural to mediate between the public and private. The islands in the slips mediate storm water overflow. Native water’s edge species act as an urban estuary to provide a living filter for micro-organisms.

Expressive Horticulture

The planting strategy involves three basic treatments: sloping lawns, horticultural and bio-remediation islands. Tree planting expresses a north-south gradient from a grove of multi-stem ash at the north, to wind-catching willows towards the water’s edge. Planting of horticultural islands provide interest through the year, and buffer the residential or more private areas of the park. Selected species with winter berries contribute to the idea of the site as a bird and wildlife habitat.

Lighting

Seasonal animation, a sense of identity, playfulness and security is created through the lighting. Tall mast lights act as an ‘area moon’ and is programmed to change seasonally. Lighting transforms the dark surfaces of the water basins. The water’s edge is softly illuminated by a connective glow. The lighting is also a vehicle for creating a sense of theatre and journey on the cultural corridors that line the city to the water.

Beach Furniture

The design calls for informal beach furniture scattered across the south end of the site, transforming it from an urban park to an urban beach.