Sherbourne Common is a stunning waterfront park that will transform a former industrial area into much needed public greenspace on the lake. Located just east of Lower Sherbourne Street, the 1.5 hectare park spans more than two city blocks, from Lake Ontario in the south to Lake Shore Boulevard in the north, on both sides of Queens Quay. Designed by one of Canada’s most renowned landscape architects, Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg of Vancouver in association with Toronto’s The Planning Partnership, Sherbourne Common is sure to become one of the city’s most iconic parks in the years to come.

Sherbourne Common was designed to bring a feeling of "life at the lake" to the area. To bring the lakeside experience to life, the park features three key elements: woods, water and wide open greenspace. Those elements, coupled with a wide range of features including unique play areas, a skating rink that doubles as a splash pad in the summer, a striking zinc-clad Pavilion, and a stunning water channel with three dramatic art sculptures, Sherbourne Common will become a well-used, year-round destination for city residents and visitors.
 

Sustainability plays an important role in Sherbourne Common where important infrastructure for the community is integrated into the park’s design. The UV treatment facility for East Bayfront’s stormwater management system is located in the basement of the Park’s Pavilion. After the water is purified, it travels the full length of the park along a dramatic 240-metre long water channel where it is released into Lake Ontario.

Additional sustainability best practices incorporated into the park’s design include easy access to public transportation, storage for bicycles and other alternative means of transportation, reduction of light pollution, water efficient landscaping as well as renewable energy sources for the park’s Pavilion. The Pavilion will also be pursuing LEED Gold certification for the building which is in line with Waterfront Toronto’s mandatory Green Building Requirements.

Waterfront Toronto’s striking Pavillion in Sherbourne Common, currently under construction, received an Award of Merit from the 2009 Canadian Architect Awards of Excellence. Learn more about the award and see images of the Pavilion.

A signature part of the park’s design is a stunning 240 metre long water channel featuring three dramatic art sculptures that rise almost nine metres from the ground called “Light Showers” by artist Jill Anholt.

Location: East of Lower Sherbourne Street on the north and south side of Queens Quay Boulevard

Lead Designers: Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg in association with The Planning Partnership; Teeple Architects (Pavilion); Jill Anholt (Light Showers – Public Art)

Size: 1.47 hectares (3.63 acres)

Number of trees: 182

Groundbreaking: July 23, 2009

For details about Sherbourne Common, check out the park's fact sheet.