What to know
- Survey on Church Street pedestrianization open until Sept. 7.
- Feedback will help guide future pedestrian street projects in Toronto.
- Pilot runs on Church St. between Wellesley and Alexander streets from June 19 through Aug. 21.
As Toronto’s two-month Church Street pedestrianization pilot continues, city officials are asking residents and visitors to weigh in on the project as they consider future car-free streets across the city.
Head to Toronto’s Gay Village and you’ll notice something different. Since June 19, two blocks of the street have been closed to vehicles, with large barriers sectioning off the area, which is dedicated to pedestrians. Seating in the form of picnic tables and Muskoka chairs has been added to the area, as have some outdoor activities including a miniature soccer net.
The pedestrianization project affects two blocks in The Village: Church St. from Wellesley St. to Alexander St., while the east-west cross-streets remain open to vehicles. When you visit the area, it’s bustling with foot traffic seven days a week, with event organizers hosting a games night in July, and a “beach day” on Aug.1 to commemorate the 1971 Gay Day Picnic.
The project was put forward by Toronto Centre Projects (TCP) and Church-Wellesley Village BIA, with the TCP website explaining that the pedestrianization plan coincides with two landmark moments in the neighbourhood: the 50th anniversary of The 519, the Village’s iconic community centre, as well as the Cultural District designation.
TCP explains that the project was designed with the whole community in mind, aiming to create safer conditions for pedestrians, including those with disabilities, while giving a boost to local businesses and supporting economic recovery along Church St.
The project has stirred up slight controversy over cost. It was predicted that the pedestrianization would come at a cost of around $150,000, but has reportedly racked up a bill of about $500,000 because of additional unexpected costs, including 24/7 private security and weekend police patrols.
Church St. Pedestrianization: Toronto officials looking for feedback
But while this pilot is only set to run for two months, city officials are gathering public feedback on the project. They’re calling for residents and those who have recently visited the city to complete a survey which will allow for a better understanding of the project results and impacts, as well as general opinions about pedestrian streets.
The survey must be completed by Sept. 7. Officials say this information will be used to inform the City of Toronto’s approach to future pedestrian-focused street closures.
The current survey is for residents and visitors, while business owners in the Church-Wellesley area will receive a business-specific survey that will be circulated in mid-August.
Kensington Market is known for its Pedestrian Sunday series in the summer, with free car-free street festivals running on the last Sunday of every month from May to October. But Toronto Centre Project says Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, the Gay Village in Montreal, inspired the Church St. pilot.
Following a motion from Toronto City Councillor Josh Matlow, city council moved to find more areas in the city where pedestrianization makes sense. It’s unclear which areas could see the same kind of traffic restrictions in future. The Church St. pilot runs through Aug. 21.
Church St. Pedestrianization: Toronto reaction
While the stretch of Church that is closed to traffic is usually busy with friends meeting, people going on strolls and patronizing local businesses, and children of all ages playing games and running around, reaction to the pilot online is mixed.
“Our city was never designed to have walking streets on main arteries. It’s a fever dream from people living in an echo chamber,” one person commented on X.
“A waste of taxpayers money,” shared another.
While others are enjoying the change.
“I’m here for the gay urbanist agenda,” one X user joked.
“Please do Baldwin, Kensington, and Yonge next,” another shared.
“It’s been wild getting to walk out from my apartment and down a pedestrian street day after day. I know it’s just starting but for everyone who lives on a road with loud obnoxious cars, welcome to what urban living should be.”
