Olive Square Memorial Planning – Community Input Continues

It was a bittersweet meeting as we gathered as the Yonge Street Tragedy Memorial Steering Committee last week to discuss the next phase of work on the long-term memorial. This group of amazing community members played a pivotal role in caring for our community after the tragedy and has stayed engaged over the years. Many of us have continued to deepen our work in the service of Willowdale, inspired by the way the community came together after such a difficult moment. I was glad to see my old friends who shared that journey with me.

We met with staff to discuss the next steps towards a permanent memorial at Olive Square Park. The discussion focused on the upcoming design competition, including a draft vision and guiding principles to help shape the memorial. Community members shared thoughtful input on key elements such as lighting and landscaping, with a strong emphasis on creating a space that supports healing, reflection, and community while remembering victims and honouring the community care and spirit that arose from the tragedy.

Participants also highlighted the importance of incorporating storytelling into the design to reflect the community’s experience, resilience, and recovery. Additional conversations explored opportunities to enhance the park’s layout, such as rethinking the existing berm, and ensuring the space is safe, accessible, and flexible for programming, including music and community gatherings.

To mark the launch of the design competition, we will be hosting a community gathering on April 18 from 1 to 2 pm at Olive Square Park. This will be an opportunity to connect with neighbours, learn more about next steps, and understand the process leading toward the park’s anticipated construction in 2028. Please click here to join us.

Here is the engagement schedule provided by Parks staff: 

City staff will now refine the vision and guiding principles based on this feedback, which will be included in the design brief for the competition. The design competition is expected to be announced at the upcoming April 18 event at Olive Square.

Community input, especially from families and survivors, remains central to shaping a meaningful and inclusive memorial.  Included in this group was Rocco D’Amico, the father of Anne Marie D’Amico, who lost her life in the tragedy. The D’Amico family are inspirational in how they channelled their grief into effecting positive change. You may consider supporting their annual fundraiser at High Tea with Anne Marie on Sunday, June 7, from 1-4pm at La Primavera Event Space at 77 Woodstream Blvd, Woodbridge.