For an inner-city park it’s a big one. REGENT PARK, the eastside’s massive, multi-phased redevelopment is transforming a swath of downtown TORONTO into something real good. <PHOTO BELOW – aerial of Central Park and surroundings, ChesterCopperpot>

Several public housing and market-value buildings have gone up, with many more to come (15-20 altogether). There’s a new Aquatics Centre designed by MJM Architects; the Daniels Spectrum, home to several small theatre companies; soccer playing fields, an under-construction community centre, basketball courts, a restaurant, coffee shop, bank and supermarket – quite a change from the dodgy Regent Park of old.

Regent Park is also seeing progress in the form of re-envisioned public spaces. The Central Park playground will open soon, while work continues on the west side lawn, a water play area, greenhouse, community gardens, a dogs-off-leash area, lighting and public art.

Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) and The Daniels Corporation are working together on this development.  The Planning Partnership designed the park. Based in TORONTO, The Planning Partnership prepares policies, plans, designs and studies related to new communities, campuses, waterfronts, open spaces, urban corridors and downtowns in Canada, the United States, China and Russia.