Following in the footsteps of the Spadina and Simcoe wavedecks, the Rees WaveDeck was the third urban dock built to create more public space along one of the most heavily used parts of Toronto's shoreline. Located just west of Rees Street on the south side of Queens Quay, the 480 square-metre wavedeck is a uniquely Canadian structure made of yellow glulam cedar and ipe wood.

The wavedeck is both a piece of art and a functional gathering space. The stairs act as an informal amphitheatre and the varying heights of the deck allow for different vantage points and ultimately different experiences with the lake.

At Rees, the wavedeck dips gracefully towards the water allowing the public to get so close to the water they can almost touch it. Boating clubs in the slip also benefit from the new wavedeck which offers an amphitheatre-like space for outdoor education. A portion of the toe rail at the centre of the deck is removable to accommodate boarding of small boats from the wavedeck.

Two 15 metre backless benches act as an elegant barrier to the water while also providing seating for users of the space.

In the evening, the deck is lit from below with colourful LED fixtures mounted to the timber structure. The colourful lights cast a glow from beneath the deck creating a beautiful effect on the water.

The Rees WaveDeck incorporates many features to ensure that people of all ages, including those with disabilities, have access to this unique public space.

The wavedeck is wheelchair accessible from all sides and includes a large barrier free zone at the east side of the deck. In addition, an accessible route between the two large swells in the deck leads users down toward the water.

Other accessibility features include:

• Textured stair grips: The deck’s timber stairs are protected by a stainless steel nosing finished with a texture to provide grip.
• Colour contrasts: A white strip marks the end of each step to help the visually impaired.
• Tactile applications: Raised tactile dots that can be felt underfoot or detected by a person using a cane mark the edge of the deck area.

In addition to the wavedecks, Waterfront Toronto is working to ensure that all of our projects help to create a waterfront that makes public accessibility a priority.

The Rees WaveDeck is one in a series of wavedecks planned for the downtown waterfront area – three of which are now open including the Simcoe and Spadina WaveDecks. Planning is currently underway on the Parliament WaveDeck, an impressive 3,000m² structure located in East Bayfront.