Nature is good for our mental and physical health: it heals, it soothes, it restores, and most importantly it connects. A study from the University of Minnesota discovered that residents who had trees and green space close to their buildings reported feeling less stressed, engaged in physical activity, and connected more frequently with their neighbours and community.
From the beginning of the Master Planning process, creating a “green oasis” in the City has been important to the team behind 2150 Lake Shore. Providing residents and visitors with access to nature within a biodiverse haven for local species is an essential part of the vision we have for this “Complete Community.” It also ensures we build and develop something that is sustainable, and that makes a healthy, active lifestyle accessible to all residents and visitors.
Creating a green place to live and play
The proposed plans for 2150 Lake Shore focus on creating an ‘urban-picturesque’ public realm, with an intricate network of open spaces, pathways, public spaces, and green space which will give residents and visitors an opportunity to take part in active and passive recreation. Those opportunities include:
- Sport and play facilities, and innovative engaging elements such as climbing walls, outdoor gym equipment, and trails for walking, running, and biking;
- Event spaces and active outdoor programming to create an animated cultural hub for activity; and
- Community-focused spaces that offer opportunities to garden, engage in urban farming, and walk a pet off-leash.
Designed for local residents and the community at large, up to 42 per cent of the site will be dedicated to open spaces, including trails, networks, community gathering areas, and a public park.
The public park located at the north east end of the site will include:
- A central gathering space that can be used to relax, hangout, and connect with neighbours;
- Active and passive recreational structures to encourage play for children and adults, and;
- The experience of nature and the health benefits that come with exploring the outdoors.
This park may also have a unique feature: we are in discussions with the City of Toronto to preserve the Mr. Christie’s water tower. If relocated to the park, it will act as an iconic heritage landmark and be an ode to the area’s historical past.
Repurposing the Roof for Green Initiatives
Green spaces don’t have to be limited to open spaces and parks. To bring nature to the skyline, the 2150 Lake Shore development is also proposing landscaped roofs, ranging from extensive green roofs to exterior garden decks and green communal podium roof gardens.
Green roofs will be designed with a multi-purpose function, including:
- Creating biodiversity: Planting a diverse range of plants and species on a green roof is more likely to attract a broad range of wildlife and animals including birds and butterflies;
- Climate amelioration: Green roofs have been recognized as an effective sustainable design tool to mitigate the urban heat island effect, a condition in which urban environments absorb and trap heat, driving up cooling loads and energy consumption;
- Storage and management of rain: Plants and vegetation collect and absorb rainwater, helping to reduce flood risks and stormwater runoff. In the summer, green roofs retain up to 90 per cent of the precipitation that falls on them and up to 40 percent in the winter.
Have more questions? We’ve got answers. Visit our FAQ page for more information about First Capital and the 2150 Lake Shore project.
The proposed plans for 2150 Lake Shore will continue to evolve and grow as we work with the City of Toronto and the local community to address the needs of a rapidly developing area.
