The Bentway

Creating a mezzanine level that links directly from Strachan Ave. down to the main path system and “rooms”, Strachan Gate becomes a hub for gathering within The Bentway.

To create a truly multi-seasonal experience for public space in Toronto, we envision a trail that can be converted to a skating loop during winter months.

With light installations, event programming & food vendors invited to engage with the space under the Gardiner, The Bentway Skating Trail promises to become a winter destination in its own right.

While the current skating trail loops under the Gardiner Expressway itself, there is the possibility in the future to see a longer connective multi-seasonal trail that links into the nearby Fort York paths.

The Strachan Gate bleacher and nearby sloped ‘green amphitheater’ on the hill provide an ideal setting for music, theater & other performances.

One of the major challenges in creating a continuous linked trail under the Gardiner Expressway is the crossing at Fort York Blvd, a major, busy street that transects the underside of the Gardiner. A suspended bridge would help to close this gap safely & efficiently.

This section clarifies the different atmospheres within the project as you progress from Strachan Gate & Fort York Visitor Center towards the city center.

The proposed bridge becomes a major design element that defines the space & carries pedestrians and cyclists safely across Fort York Blvd without interrupting the flow of traffic.

An early vision plan delineates The Bentway into distinct sections that transverse the historic shoreline, a nod to the geographic context of the site.