Corktown Common, a new urban park in the 80-acre West Don Lands neighbourhood, has been recognized for positive and lasting impact on the community and the environment.
The 18-acre re-naturalized green space is one of 100 recipients of Popular Science’s Best of What’s New award.
"For 27 years, Popular Science has honoured the innovations that surprise and amaze us – those that make a positive impact on our world today and challenge our view of what’s possible in the future," said Cliff Ransom, the magazine’s editor-in-chief, in a Nov. 12 release.
"The Best of What’s New Award is the magazine’s top honour, and the 100 winners – chosen from among thousands of entrants – each are a revolution in its field."
The once-abandoned, post-industrial site, which is just west of the lower Don River, was recognized in the Green Category.
"We most of all look for impact: things that are poised to make a significant difference – dramatically reduce energy use, cut waste or otherwise leave the world a cleaner and more sustainable place," said Jennifer Bogo, Popular Sciences’ executive editor, in the release.
"We also look for things that are truly innovative – creative solutions to seemingly intractable problems. Corktown Common fit both of those criteria, while also turning an industrial area into a green space that benefits both people and wildlife."
John Campbell, Waterfront Toronto’s president and CEO, called the award "an incredible honour".
"With Corktown Common, we combined critical infrastructure with a high-quality community park, which will deliver long-term environmental, social and economic benefits," he said in a release.
"This is a very prestigious award and confirms that leading revitalization efforts with the development of great parks and public spaces works."
Designed by renowned landscape artists Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc., Corktown Common is not only an urban green space but also a key piece of infrastructure that protects more than 500 acres of Toronto’s downtown core, including the Financial District, from flooding.
The $27-million downtown east park, which is roughly 19 times the size of Yonge-Dundas Square, aims to reconnect the long-neglected area southeast of the downtown core with the rest of the city as well as celebrate the area’s native ecology.
-Joanna Lavoie