Arup Celebrates Opening of Corktown Common Urban Park in Toronto

Corktown Common, an award winning and sustainable urban park, recently opened as the centrepiece of the emerging community of the West Don Lands in Toronto. Working in close collaboration with Waterfront Toronto and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc., Arup helped transform a post-industrial site into a dynamic, re-natured public park available year-round.

"As the engineers for Corktown Common, not only did we have the opportunity to design a highly sustainable park, we also were able to help create a wonderful space for the community in which we live and work. We are excited to have been part of the continued redevelopment of Toronto’s waterfront lands."

—Andrew McAlpine, Toronto Office Leader, Arup

Arup’s multidisciplinary engineering and consulting services helped create the 7.3-hectare park that provides a variety of open spaces and programmatic elements. The landscape has open sightlines to Toronto’s skyline and Lake Ontario. These sightlines create a sense of scale and grandeur, expanding the park far past its physical boundaries. The park’s waterfront location is emphasised by two prominent features: a large splash pad and a living marsh, both of which are integral parts of the onsite stormwater management system that irrigates the park. The splash pad is set atop a hill and provides important open spaces for children to enjoy the grounds while also allowing overseeing parents to enjoy the unobstructed views of downtown.

In keeping with Waterfront Toronto’s sustainability framework, the park also boasts a variety of sustainable features. One of the key elements requires the collection of rainwater for irrigation purposes. Collection was achieved through a series of swales and landscaping and resulted in a reduced reliance on municipal water supply. Used water from the splash pad, typically directed to a sanitary sewer, is instead sufficiently treated and safely conveyed to the park’s marsh and irrigation system. A mix of trees, open lawns, diverse plantings, and a sustainable marsh create an inviting environment for patrons while showcasing Waterfront Toronto’s commitment to sustainability and community.