The case for creating more parkettes for pedestrians

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New Bloor-Annex parkettes should be a source for inspiration for other urban centres

One of our family’s favourite shopping destinations over the years has been Toronto’s Bloor Street West, which in addition to boasting a plethora of shops and restaurants is also home to such great attractions as the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).

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However one challenge for pedestrians on this busy street (not unlike the  downtown cores of other major metropolises) has been the lack of space to simply sit and relax and take in the sights and sounds of the neighbourhood.

So it came as a pleasant surprise after visiting for the first time in a couple of years, my discovery of what’s known as the Bloor Street Revitalization project. A collaboration between the Bloor Annex BIA and the City of Toronto that has led to the creation of four parkettes along a four block stretch.

Parkettes which thanks to the creative vision of the award-winning landscape architect firm DTAH, provide multiple benefits not only for residents and visitors but also in support of local flora and fauna.

Situated on the west side of the street so that from mid-day on it will provide added shade, the Howland Avenue Parkette is a great place to literally “park” thanks to its seating area but also because of the thought that has gone into the landscaping.

The parkette is bookended by canopy trees which provide additional shelter from the sun. And the north end section features a pollinator garden that serves as a food source for a wide variety of bees and butterflies spring, summer and fall.

In the spirit of sharing the love of pollinator gardens and learning more about the positive impact they can have on our environment, a sign with the headline “we’re planting for pollinators” includes a QR code linked to the Bloor-Annex BIA website (www.bloorannex.ca).

The site shares additional details on the plants that can be found there, including the spring-blooming Wild Columbine, which in addition to bees and butterflies also attracts hummingbirds. And the Smooth Aster ‘Bluebird’ that flowers in the late summer/fall timeframe which is a draw both for butterflies and songbirds.

Yet another reason pedestrians will want to set foot in this park is the exceptional wall mural painted by street artist Nick Sweetman, appropriately named “Pollinator Sweetheart” by virtue of the giant bee perched on a multi-hued pink pollinator plant.

A block away, the Brunswick Avenue parkette also draws you in with its colourful street art. Painted by local artist Komi Olaf, the “Blue Mural” pays homage to the history of the Brunswick House, formerly one of Toronto’s top venues for jazz and blues.

As with its sister park on Howland Ave., in addition to serving as a canvass for some of the city’s most talented artists, the Brunswick Ave. parkette also provides a much needed shady place to stop and catch your breath if you’re out and about on a hot summer day.

Rounding out this grey to green network, there’s also the Major Street and Robert Street parkettes which in addition to providing much needed seating areas, includes bike parking.

In recognition of their unique design and the manner in which underutilized asphalt surfaces have been transformed into welcome places of retreat for pedestrians, the Bloor-Annex BIA Parkettes have been recognized with a National Award of Excellence from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects.

These parkettes can serve as a source of inspiration for other urban centres seeking to become more resilient as well, reminding us that instead of dedicating more space to cars, the road to creating a more liveable city begins by dedicating more space to people.

Sustainable Stays

If you’re interested checking out the Bloor Street parkettes this summer while shopping or simply going on a walkabout, Hotel X is fittingly one of the most eco-friendly places to stay. In addition to being LEED certified to dramatically reduce its energy footprint, the hotel has six green roofs, adheres to a buy local policy in support of Ontario farmers and has embraced recycling and food waste disposal programs.

Fittingly, yet another “cool” feature of this hotel is that in the spirit of the Bloor Street parkettes, it has created six acres of parks and gardens on previous asphalt surfaces.

Mark Wessel lives in Ridgeway, Ont. and is a passionate advocate for living more sustainably at home and in the greater community. Visit him at www.markdouglaswessel.com