Roseneath Park Re-Design
Under the City of Toronto’s Oparkland expansion and improvement we identified Roseneath Park as a potential site for parkland expansion and improvement. We contacted Brown and Storey Architects to design a revitalization plan for Roseneath Park that would improve the park’s amenities and connectivity to St. Clair Avenue West.
Existing Site Conditions
Currently, the block bordered by St Clair Avenue West, Robina Avenue, Glenhurst Avenue, and Winona Drive is dominated by a No Frills parking lot. Roseneath Park is located on the northern end of this block, physically small and geographically isolated from St. Clair.
Alberta Avenue is a service road that provides access to the No Frills parking lot. Where it reaches the grocery store, it vanishes into a swath of asphalt, leaving no public sidewalk or distinguishable pedestrian space for access to Roseneath Park. This parking lot is a heat desert in the summer, with no shade or protection from the elements.
Meeting the Needs of the Expanding St. Clair West Neighbourhood
With two new condominiums under construction at St. Clair Avenue West and Alberta Avenue, there is a need and opportunity to create more park space and public amenities in the area. The potential to expand Roseneath Park from its current size of approximately 2400m2 to double its size, 4800m2, would greatly strengthen the park’s attractiveness as a destination serving our growing neighbourhood.
Proposal: Roseneath Park Revitalization and Expansion
Brown and Storey Architects have proposed a re-design of Roseneath Park that expands into the existing No Frills parking lot, making space for new park amenities, including new play areas and public washrooms. The firm’s urban design strategy includes signage on St. Clair and a shaded walkway along Alberta Avenue, helping to link the main street to Roseneath Park.
The Pergola: A Covered Walkway from St. Clair to Roseneath Park
The proposed pergola stretches along Alberta Ave, between St. Clair Ave West and Glenhurst Ave. The pergola defines and shades a pedestrian-friendly linear park, a new public green space that leads directly to Roseneath Park.
A civic-scale pergola would transform the public realm on St. Clair West and create a stronger connection from the main street to the revitalized and expanded Roseneath Park.
Roseneath Park Pavilion
With the expanded area of Roseneath Park, there is an opportunity to create a pavilion building. The proposed pavilion forms a western edge to the park, as well as a proper frontage against the parking lot. The pavilion offers public washrooms, attendant space for maintenance staff, and multi-purpose community rooms. The pavilion is also a place for the community to retreat to during rain or weather extremities.
While the pavilion is located in the park, it serves the larger St. Clair Avenue West community, providing the necessary amenities to create a well-integrated and transformational new destination park.
Learn more about Brown and Storey Architects.
