HtO Park, an Urban Beach along Toronto's Waterfront.

HtO Park or simply HtO is an urban beach along Toronto's Waterfront which opened on June 8, 2007. HtO is located on the former pier at Maple Leaf Quay which housed a youth sail training organisation (Toronto Brigantine Inc.), a summer circus school, a youth/adult canoe club and a youth/disabled sailing club.

It is west of Harbourfront Centre.

HtO Park Design

The park design was awarded in June 2003 to a team headed by:

• Janet Rosenberg + Associates Landscape Architects (JRALA)
• Claude Cormier Architectes Paysagistes Inc., based in Montreal

in partnership with the City of Toronto's Parks, Forestry & Recreation Division.

According to Janet Rosenberg, "HtO envisages a dynamic zone between the city and the water, a place that synthesizes the best qualities from the urbanity to the north, and the islands to the south. The master plan creates a diverse and animated waterfront meeting place."

The park's design was presented to and approved by City Council and the then existing Economic Development and Parks Committee in June of 2003.

The design team also brought on board:

• Hariri Pontarini Architects
• Sustainable Edge (Environmental Engineering)
• Beth Kapusta (Communications Consultant)
• William Greer (Heritage Advisor)
• Rina Greer (Public Art Consultant)
• Leni Schwendinger (Lighting Designer)
• Janet Cardiff (Artist).

The Rosenberg/Cormier design is based on six elements or layers: ground planes, water, islands, expressive horticulture, lighting and beach furniture.

Also see Parks for info on other local parks