The Bentway

Today we released Rx For Social Connection, a report with partners Gehl - Making Cities for People and researchers from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto that reveals the essential role public spaces play in fostering mental health and social connections. Centered around learnings from The Bentway’s 2024 Softer City season, the research shows that public spaces are critical health tools that not only promote wellbeing but reduce feelings of loneliness. ⁠ On February 25, there will be a panel conversation with the interdisciplinary research team, presented with the School of Cities, University of Toronto. Visit our website to read the full report and register for our upcoming event: https://lnkd.in/gMjHeWgJ

Bentway Staging Grounds has been shortlisted for the ArchDaily 2025 Building of the Year Award, in the Public & Landscape Architecture category!⁠ Public voting is open until February 12, cast your vote: https://lnkd.in/gYG5Ze93 ⁠ Bentway Staging Grounds is a temporary installation under the Gardiner Expressway that unlocks a new type of public infrastructure; blending art and education, public space and experimentation. Transforming the intersection at Dan Leckie Way and Lake Shore Boulevard into a living laboratory, the project responds to the dynamic conditions of the site and educates visitors about urban ecology and stormwater management. Congratulations to design teams Agency—Agency (New York City) and SHEEEP (Toronto)

Relive the magic of Dominoes! https://lnkd.in/gn3HQ4Ui Created by the world-renowned company Station House Opera, this larger-than-life, moving sculpture stretched across multiple downtown neighbourhoods and, over the course of a day-long epic event, united neighbours in a common cause: setting up and setting off over 2.5 km of giant dominoes. Over 250 volunteers helped bring the project to life. The Bentway is proud to be the first North American city to hold Dominoes, and we cannot thank you enough for showing up. Thank you to our presenting sponsor Choice Properties and all our community and venue partners With thanks to our supporters: Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, Dream Community Foundation, The Waterfront BIA, Hal Jackman Foundation, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, and FirstService Residential. An Artsadmin project.

Last week, students from Toronto Metropolitan University's Department of Architectural Science partnered with The Bentway to reimagine spaces beneath Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway, exploring how students would transform underutilized areas into vibrant hubs for community life. Through hands-on collage workshops and intricate model-making, the students tackled themes such as biodiversity, urban play, and cultural exchange, presenting their bold ideas with stunning models and immersive collages.⁠ ⁠ The Bentway team was delighted to visit the students in their creative environment, share insights from our work, and offer design critiques. Witnessing their passion, innovative thinking, and dedication to re-envisioning these urban spaces was both inspiring and energizing. ⁠ ⁠ A huge congratulations to all the students for their incredible efforts! We extend our heartfelt thanks to Terri Peters, the cluster leaders, graduate students, and DAS faculty for inviting us to be part of this exciting journey.

The Bentway is excited to welcome young urbanists Grades 4-8 to learn about public art, ecology, placemaking, and the many ways infrastructure can serve our city! Through a guided walking tour of The Bentway’s existing and future sites and hands-on activities, students will learn about the value and importance of adaptive reuse and environmentally-responsive public space design, as well as how it inspires cultural and recreational programming.⁠ Learn more about booking a school visit: https://lnkd.in/gQa8Xc6G This program is generously supported by Ontario Trillium Foundation

Play has no limits! Thrilled to have hosted this shoot at The Bentway .

Dominoes united Torontonians in a vibrant celebration of community as 8,000 oversized dominoes cascaded across a thrilling 2.5km route through downtown neighbourhoods. Thank you to our presenting sponsor Choice Properties and all our community and venue partners An Artsadmin project. With thanks to our supporters: Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, Dream Community Foundation, The Waterfront BIA, Hal Jackman Foundation, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, and FirstService Residential.

Excited to share another #BentwayIslands feature, from ConstructConnect, talking The Bentway's big picture transformation of Toronto's Gardiner Expressway. As significant as the Bentway Islands story is, it's important to remember that it is one of a great many stories of change happening across the Gardiner corridor - stay tuned!

A HUGE congratulations to Nico Williams for winning the 2024 Sobey Art Award! We were honoured to have Nico's work as part of our Softer City season this year. https://lnkd.in/gFpD44FU

Excited to highlight Manulife as a key supporter of The Bentway! This partnership strengthens our mission to create unique and sustainable urban spaces for all Torontonians to enjoy. Together, we're reimagining how public spaces can inspire, connect, and bring our community together. https://lnkd.in/gs7ru64S