Water's Edge Promenade & Boardwalk (East)

At the water’s edge just east of Jarvis Street
to the Parliament Slip

Torontonians and visitors may now enjoy the lakefront east of the Jarvis slip. A first stretch of water's edge promenade, a linear park connecting Canada's Sugar Beach with Sherbourne Common, opened in 2010.

In the future, the granite promenade with its double row of trees will extend almost a full kilometre, all the way to the Parliament Slip.

Our goal is to create public space along the water's edge. Our ultimate vision is to build a linear park and 6-metre wide wooden boardwalk along the full length of East Bayfront, from Parliament Street to Jarvis slip.

The way people experience the water’s edge from either the promenade or boardwalk will be quite different. Along the promenade, a row of mature trees lining each side will create a French-style allée by the lake, sheltering pedestrians from sun and wind. The boardwalk, open to the elements, gives pedestrians full exposure to the lake.

Quick Facts

Design Team:

West 8 + DTAH (promenade/boardwalk and wavedeck design); and The Municipal Infrastructure Group (stormwater management facility)

Size:

1 kilometre length
9.4 metre wide granite mosaic promenade
6-metre wide wooden boardwalk

The total width of the Water's Edge Promenade varies from 13-19 metres wide depending on the condition at each of the adjacent buildings.

Number of trees:

Approximately 200

integrated stormwater management system

In keeping with a commitment to sustainability and design excellence, Waterfront Toronto is constructing a stormwater management system in East Bayfront that will be integrated into the design of the area’s public realm, including Sherbourne Common. This integrated approach allows required stormwater infrastructure to be beautiful, functional, sustainable and cost-effective.

Read the Water's Edge Promenade fact sheet [PDF] and East Bayfront stormwater management overview [LINK] to learn more about how stormwater is collected and treated in East Bayfront.

Accessibility features

The water's edge promenade is fully accessible to people with disabilities. The promenade features a flat, 10-metre wide granite surface whose cobbles have been smoothed to ensure those in a wheelchair or those who have difficulty walking can navigate the area.