The Rail Deck Park could end up being known forever as the #RailDeckPark the way the social media buzz built for this splashy project proposal this week.
"The City of Toronto plans to create an 8.5 hectare 'signature park,' named Rail Deck Park, that will cover the railway tracks between Bathurst Street and the Rogers Centre," reports Taylor Simmons.
Mayor John Tory made the announcement, but Toronto Planning Chief Jennifer Keesmaat took to social media to trumpet the announcement. The #RailDeckPark hashtag quickly gained steam.
Our growing, bursting downtown needs amenities, to be liveable. So today we introduce #RailDeckPark #TOcore pic.twitter.com/1wcyOSEBgk
— jennifer keesmaat (@jen_keesmaat) August 3, 2016
"In a release, the city said the initiative 'is part of the City's TOcore project, a response to the rapid growth and intensification of Toronto's downtown that is placing pressure on physical and social infrastructure,'" according to the article.
Though the excitement surrounding the prospect of the #RailDeckPark is certain, a lot of the critical details of the project are much less so. According to Simmons, "Tory said there isn't a clear timeline or cost for the project as of yet."
FULL STORY: Massive downtown #RailDeckPark will cover railway tracks from Rogers Centre to Bathurst
Rail Deck Park a No-Go in Toronto
The Toronto Local Planning Appeal Tribunal chose a development project over the mayor's plan to build parkland over a downtown rail corridor.
Meet the Avatars Helping to Plan Toronto's Downtown
Introducing a group of 16 avatars meant to represent the people who live, work, and play in downtown Toronto.
Toronto Weighs Cheaper Transit, Parking Hikes for Major Events
Special event rates would take effect during large festivals, sports games and concerts to ‘discourage driving, manage congestion and free up space for transit.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.
Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.
German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie