January 13, 2026
Posted by SVRA
Queen’s Park North provides a respite from the hurly-burly of downtown to enjoy in and of itself, or on our way to work, appointments, meetings or the Ontario Legislature. This project has been under discussion for some time, with numerous documents involved.
From the Bay Cloverhill Community Association, involved in the 2019 design and renovations of Queen's Park North: https://www.baycloverhill.com/queens-park-north.html
The Friends of Queen's Park North agree the Westons have made a vital financial contribution to the City, but they have concerns saying, “The plans that have emerged through the consultation process threaten to destabilize the beloved landscape and put at risk the pre-contact old growth oak savannah forest”.
Correspondence from Friends of Queen's Park North to FOSTRA
From: Elizabeth Sisam <elizabeth.sisam@icloud.com>
Date: Sun, Dec 28, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Subject: Queens Park North : A Place to Protect
To: Don Young <directorward11@fostrato.ca>
Cc: sue dexter <asusandexter@gmail.com>
The Weston gift of $50 million intended to protect and enhance the Queen’s Park North is a foresighted and vital contribution to the city. But the plans that have emerged through the consultation process threaten to destabilize the beloved landscape and put at risk the pre-contact old growth oak savannah forest.
The City’s plans acknowledge the need for restoration and conservation but at the same time propose significant change: “big moves, animation and built structures” threaten the survival of Queen’s Park North as a place of natural respite. The plans also include a governance model which could permit change in use within Queen’s Park North with little reference to heritage. If present plans go forward, the survival of the park ecosystem and the benefits so many enjoy are at risk. The City’s response needs critical new work which should be conducted expeditiously as much of the work already exists.
Friends of Queen’s Park North, a group dedicated to the survival of the Park, propose a plan that will set a policy framework to protect the landscape in the long term, and ensure it will contribute to the realization of University Park. The attached proposal builds on the intention of City Council to study the area as a Cultural Heritage Landscape with the protections that would confer, and the ambitious long-term goal of having Queen’s Park North become the crown at the north end of University Park.
To proceed in haste would risk the integrity of the Park, dishonour its history and lose the magnificent opportunity the Weston family have given to all who value Queen’s Park North.
We urge you to:
1. Immediately pause design
2. Prioritize Heritage Designation
3. Establish a Transparent Governance Model
4. Disclose the Lease between the Uof T and the City
5. Commit to Integrated Planning.
Details are included in the attached proposal.
[for a copy of the proposal, contact Elizabeth Sisam, sender]
Sincerely,
Friends of Queen’s Park North