Downsview Park: A Glimpse into the Future

Take a journey with us and see the future of Downsview Park. The illustrations below represent the vision for various areas of the Park in the years to come.

Downsview Park integrates a national and natural resource within a park setting dedicated to the preservation and celebration of natural heritage. The vision for the 231.5-hectare (572-acre) Downsview Park is of a multipurpose recreational space, incorporating both open spaces and renovated heritage buildings relating to Canada's aviation history that will be a year-round attraction for the local community and for visitors.

Parc Downsview Park Inc.'s (PDP's) development plan represents the work of both professionals and community consultations. It is designed to embody the vision for the Park as "a unique urban recreational green space, a safe and a peaceful place developed according to the principles of environmental, economic and social sustainability, for Canadians to enjoy in all seasons" with the core values of sustainability, stewardship, play, beauty, and legacy.

The park development process is remarkable in that the Park is positioned first as the driving force of the development, and the rest of the lands are planned to ensure that the Park will thrive now and for generations to come. The Park must be self-financing (no government funds or tax-payer dollars are attributed to supporting the mandate). Therefore, although most of the lands will remain under the ownership of PDP, a small portion will be sold to appropriate partners in order to sustain the Park. There will also be lands to be leased for self-financing purposes. The development lands will be designed, built, and operated as a prototype sustainable community to demonstrate environmentally innovative practices and technologies, and to serve as a model and educational resource for the country.

The community that will be created will ensure that the site is woven into the fabric of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), with employment opportunities, housing, live/work spaces, shops, restaurants, and services, and spaces for community groups and activities. These new developments will ensure that the Park is self-financing and not vulnerable to changes in government priorities.

Stay tuned for updates.

Map of Neighbourhoods

This is the revised map of Downsview Park's sustainable neighbourhoods, updated January 2010. The neighbourhoods will be phased into the development of Downsview Park over many years. The first neighbourhood of focus is the Stanley Greene neighbourhood in the south end of the Park.

Larger illustrations of each neighbourhood follow.

The Chesswood Neighbourhood

This view is looking south-east from Sheppard Avenue towards Bombardier's runway (far right corner), with the new proposed TTC station and GO station in the foreground centre. To the east (left) are proposed commercial buildings.

The Sheppard Neighbourhood

This view is looking south from above the new proposed TTC station and GO station. To the west (right) lies a mixed commercial and residential area with residential buildings in the southwest (far right).

The Sheppard Neighbourhood (Ground Level)

Illustrated is a portion of the proposed retail area of the Sheppard neighbourhood with cafes, shopping and other stores.

The William Baker Neighbourhood (North)

This view is looking north up Keele Street (left) with the proposed residential buildings alongside Keele with the preserved woodlot in the William Baker neighbourhood, behind. Sheppard Avenue lies off to the far right side.

The William Baker Neighbourhood (South)

This view is from within the William Baker neighbourhood looking south through the existing woodlot to proposed residential development along Keele Street.

The Lake

This view is looking north parallel to Keele Street along the boardwalk along the west edge of the Lake.

The Stanley Greene Neighbourhood (Facing North-east)

This view is looking north with Keele Street along the west (left) and the proposed Stanley Greene neighbourhood with public gardens in the foreground. To the west can be seen the Lake and to the northeast, the Mound.