W O R D S A N D I M A G E S BY T H E L A N E W AY P R O J E C T
W int er w ay s in Mc D o u g a l l L ane
Winterways is a pilot project demonstrating the potential of Toronto’s laneway network to sustainably support the health and vibrancy of our communities during the city’s long and taxing winter season. Throughout COVID-19 social life was pushed almost entirely outdoors. The pandemic demonstrated that Toronto’s public open space network lacks the capacity to meet its population’s needs year-round and that the majority of these spaces are not suitably designed for winter use.
How do you make a space attractive when the sun sets at 5 pm and it’s -20C? How do you provide residents with opportunities to connect to nature year-round when most plant species can’t survive a hard frost? 16
#LONGLIVEQUEENWEST | QUEENSTREETWEST.CA
Despite Toronto being a four-season city, we haven’t answered these questions with the design of our outdoor venues. This means our public life goes into “hibernation” during the colder months which negatively impacts individual mental and physical wellbeing. The Winterways pilot is seeing the creation of a temporary, winterized, alternative public open space that will provide cultural experiences to encourage people to get out to safely socialize, celebrate the holiday season, and shop locally! The Laneway Project, in partnership with the Queen Street West BIA and ShowLoveTO and with the generous support of their sponsors, local property owners, and businesses, will transform Queen West’s McDougall Lane (intersecting Graffiti Alley) into an alpine winter wonderland with pop-up art and light installations, seasonal greening, and live programming!
