GUILD PARK & GARDENS
Toronto, ON
The Guild Park and Gardens is an 36 hectare regionally treasured destination park set on the spectacular Scarborough Bluffs. The park is both a significant cultural heritage landscape and a significant natural heritage resource. Dating back to the early 20th Century the original Bickford Estate became an artist retreat and hotel prior to becoming a public park in 1978. One of the site’s most extraordinary features is the collection of sculptural remnants salvaged from demolished buildings in Toronto’s downtown and strategically placed throughout the site. The horticultural gardens, a remnant of the former estate, are also a major attraction for visitors as are the two designated Environmentally Sensitive Areas and the Bluffs themselves.
The recent introduction of a conference and banquet facility in the park combined with significant tree loss, as a result of the Emerald Ash Borer, were the impetus behind the three studies authored by The Planning Partnership:
The Guild Park & Gardens Management Plan - The Management Plan was a catalyzing document that presented an in-depth review of existing conditions and the policy context of the site, and established a vision statement for the site, as well as a framework of eight pillars for acheiving it.
The Guild Park & Gardens Trails Master Plan - a major recommendation of the Management Plan was the creation of a Trails Master Plan to address future trail work, including maintenance, closures, and upgrades throughout the park. The plan contains a focused analysis of the physical conditions impacting circulation throughout the site, including trail quality, safety, and priority.
The Guild Park and Gardens Horticultural Master Plan - Drawing heavily on the history of the site, its Arts and Crafts style architecture, and its past as a Guild for live-in artists to conduct their craft, our team implemented an overarching layout plan that expands on the park’s existing horticultural planting and strives to create ‘rooms’ bordered by planting, while still maintaining views through the park.
Key Metrics:
Size: 36 hectares
Nearly 6km of trails
1 Environmentally Significant Area
5 Significant Vegetation Communities