The City of Toronto just unveiled five possible designs for transforming a Liberty Village parking lot into a massive park, and the renderings are absolutely stunning. The 4,900-square-metre public park will replace an existing Toronto Parking Authority lot at the southwest corner of Hanna Ave and Liberty St. (34 Hanna Ave.), and it could feature everything from winding woodland paths and wetlands to mist fountains, outdoor gathering spaces and public art installations.
The winning design will be chosen through an international competition, but for now, here’s a look at the five proposals in the running:
Liberty Village Living Room
Liberty Village Living Room takes the idea of an outdoor gathering space literally. The concept is designed by Hapa Collaborative and MJMA and features an oversized sofa-style bench, a “bean bag lawn,” picnic areas and a sculptural hearth with a mist feature! The design also aims to provide shelter from extreme heat, rain and snow.
Ànakwad Park
Ànakwad Park, designed by CCxA and gh3, takes inspo from clouds, with green spaces surrounded by forested mounds, sheltered pavilions and areas for outdoor performances. The proposal also includes an off-leash dog area and an interactive mist and water feature.
Liberty Yard
Liberty Yard by Daoust Lestage envisions a tree-lined public space with rain gardens, shaded seating and an open gathering area for markets and performances. The design also includes a brick pavilion, mist features and quieter spaces for relaxing or meeting friends.
Windborne Common
Windborne Common was designed by Nippaysage and Saucier + Perrotte. Expect meadows, woodland areas, hammocks, a spray terrace and outdoor gathering spaces inspired by the site’s industrial past.
Liberty Nature Park
Liberty Nature Park is the brainchild of PMA and Henning Larsen, and would transform the asphalt lot into a pretty landscape filled with meadows, wetlands and pollinator gardens. A winding boardwalk will take visitors through the greenery, while mist fountains, amphitheatre seating and a civic plaza would provide space for community events.
If you want to see the designs up close, the city is displaying all five proposals at Metro Hall (55 John St.) on Oct. 14 and 15, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The displays are free to view and will be located in the main-floor rotunda. An expert jury will evaluate the proposals in November, with the winning design expected to be announced in December.
But it’ll still take some time before we see the finished park in person! Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2028, with the completed park expected to open in fall 2030. In the meantime, all five proposals and their renderings can be viewed on the city’s project page.