Reimagining Albert Standing Park Together

Albert Standing Park has an exciting future! Earlier this week, I joined staff from the City of Toronto Parks Division, along with the consultant team working with the neighbouring developer, for a site visit and discussion about the future design of the park. Our park is being extended by a bit larger than an NBA basketball court. 

I am also very grateful to the two community leaders from the West Lansing Homeowners Association who joined us to help bring the community’s perspective and ideas to the table. It was a productive and inspiring conversation about how this important public space can better serve residents of all ages. 

At the same time, we have been encouraging community members to help inform this process by completing the park survey. The survey will remain open for another two days, so there is still time to share your feedback and ideas. Click here and take part. 

Some of the ideas and priorities discussed during the visit that may be considered as part of the future park plan included:

• Ensuring electricity is available in the park to support community events, especially around the pergola/gathering space

• Fenced and gated children’s play areas

• Strong community support for a splash pad

• Adult exercise equipment

• At least two ping pong tables, which are very popular in the community

• Potential improvements to the fountain to create a stronger community landmark

• An updated drinking water fountain, including a dog bowl

• Creative ideas to replace the planting in the centre of the pergola area

• Playful and unique seating options beyond standard City designs

• Chess tables that can also serve as informal seating and gathering spaces

We look forward to continuing this exciting conversation with the community as the park vision moves forward.

Who was Albert Standing?

In our recent Town Hall for this neighbourhood, a local resident has shared that the park is named after Albert Standing, who lived near the park with his wife Betty. He was a longtime Willowdaler and a City Clerk who eventually became the Chief Administrative Officer of the City of North York. He contributed greatly to the growth and spirit of the neighbourhood. There is a plaque at the park that tells his story. I have reached out to the Ontario and Toronto Historic Societies to see if I can garner further information.

One of our Parks staff joked, “Make sure you bring an extra chair when you visit the park because Albert is still standing.” :-)