Section of the proposed Etobicoke Civic Centre Park in the Six Points area.
A section of roadway near the busy Six Points area is being considered for permanent closure to construct four new parks in the neighbourhood.
City Council on May 22 will consider if a small portion of Bloor Street West, Dundas Street West, and Kipling Avenue, should be permanently stopped and closed.
“Once closed, it is intended that operational management of the former highway lands will be transferred to Parks, Forestry and Recreation to facilitate construction of Dunkip Park and expansion of Six Points Park,” according to a plan by Transportation Services.
One of four parks planned for the Six Points area after portions of major roadways are shut.
The new parks will include Etobicoke City Centre Park, which will be larger than 12 basketball courts; Dunkip Park, the size of a mini soccer field; the expansion of the existing Six Points Park, a bit larger than three basketball courts and Linear Park, which will be the size of a baseball diamond.
Transportation Services Deputy General Manager Barbara Gray said the new parks are part of the City’s Parkland Strategy.
“A Park District Vision and Plan will be developed to act as a framework for the future design of each park,” according to Gray.
More space, greenery and community areas are planned with the new parks in the neighbourhood.
The Six Points Park District will blossom into a network of vibrant green spaces where diverse groups of all ages can convene, enjoy the outdoors, forge connections and flourish year-round, she wrote.
“The Park District will serve as an inclusive green haven, capturing the community’s essence as a place that honours local heritage, embraces cultural experiences and fosters collective aspirations for the future,” according to Gray.
She said the parks will stem from collaboration with local community members and application of accessibility design standards and ‘will provide comfortable safe spaces for the community to gather and connect.’
It is unknown how much traffic congestion or other disruptions would occur to close sections of roads for new parks.
Transportation Services officials have determined that roadways can be closed and transferred to Parks and Forestry staff for park development.
The plan has to be approved by the Etobicoke York Community Council and City Council.
The sections of roads being affected will be Dundas Street West on the north, south and east to Beamish Drive to the west. It will include Bloor Street West and circle the new Etobicoke Civic Centre at the Six Points Interchange.
The area when completed in about four years will contain the Centre’s four buildings, a large public square and more than 2,000 units of affordable and other housing.
It is not known if or when the sections of roads will be closed and when construction of the parks will begin.