Mel Lastman Square: Difference between revisions
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|image_place=MelLastmanSquare - 2015June03.jpg | |image_place=MelLastmanSquare - 2015June03.jpg | ||
|image_caption=Mel Lastman Square, as seen from a building across [[Yonge Street]], with the [[North York Civic Centre]] in the background | |image_caption=Mel Lastman Square, as seen from a building across [[Yonge Street]], with the [[North York Civic Centre]] in the background | ||
|other_names= | |other_names= | ||
|area= 20 000 sq. ft.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/956/index.html |title=Mel Lastman Square |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=City of Toronto |access-date=June 2, 2019 }}</ref> | |area= 20 000 sq. ft.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/956/index.html |title=Mel Lastman Square |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=City of Toronto |access-date=June 2, 2019 }}</ref> | ||
|surface=[[concrete]]<ref name=hume/> | |surface=[[concrete]]<ref name=hume/> | ||
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|location=5100 Yonge Street<br />[[Toronto]], [[Ontario]]<br />M2N 5V7 | |location=5100 Yonge Street<br />[[Toronto]], [[Ontario]]<br />M2N 5V7 | ||
|owner=City of Toronto | |owner=City of Toronto | ||
|coordinates = {{coord|43|46|3 | |coordinates = {{coord|43|46|3|N|79|24|48|W|region:CA-ON|display=inline,title}} | ||
|place_type=[[Public square]] | |place_type=[[Public square]] | ||
|construction= | |construction= | ||
|features=Concert stage; reflecting pool/skating rink | |features=Concert stage; reflecting pool/skating rink | ||
|open=June 16–18, 1989<ref>{{cite web |title=Mel Lastman Square official opening: vol. 1, June 16, | |open=June 16–18, 1989<ref>{{cite web |title=Mel Lastman Square official opening: vol. 1, June 16, 1989–June 18, 1989 |url=https://gencat.eloquent-systems.com/city-of-toronto-archives-m-permalink.html?key=417476 |website=City of Toronto Archives |accessdate=March 28, 2019}}</ref> | ||
|height= | |height= | ||
|manager= | |manager= | ||
|designer= | |designer= | ||
|website= | |website= | ||
|dedicated_to=[[Mel Lastman]], Mayor of North York and Toronto | |dedicated_to=[[Mel Lastman]], Mayor of North York and Toronto | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{OSM Location map | {{OSM Location map | ||
| coord = {{coord|43|46|3 | | coord = {{coord|43|46|3|N|79|24|48|W}} | ||
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|mark = Red pog.svg | |mark = Red pog.svg | ||
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|mark-title = Mel Lastman Square | |mark-title = Mel Lastman Square | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Mel Lastman Square''' is a public square at [[North York Civic Centre]] in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada. It is named after then [[North York]] mayor (and later Toronto mayor) [[Mel Lastman]]. It was officially opened on June 16, 1989, by [[Norman Jewison]] and Mel Lastman's granddaughter Brie Lastman. The architects were J. Michael Kirkland.<ref>{{Cite sign |title=City of North York | '''Mel Lastman Square''' is a public square at [[North York Civic Centre]] in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada. It is named after then [[North York]] mayor (and later Toronto mayor) [[Mel Lastman]]. It was officially opened on June 16, 1989, by [[Norman Jewison]] and Mel Lastman's granddaughter Brie Lastman. The architects were J. Michael Kirkland.<ref>{{Cite sign |title=City of North York – Mel Lastman Square |year=1989 |type=Plaque in square |publisher=City of North York |location=North York }}</ref> | ||
[[File:Mel Lastman at Square with Brie.jpg|thumb|left|Lastman with his granddaughter Brie on the opening day of the square.]] | [[File:Mel Lastman at Square with Brie.jpg|thumb|left|Lastman with his granddaughter Brie on the opening day of the square.]] | ||
The square hosts a variety of activities throughout the year, but is primarily a quiet space in which to relax or eat lunch. | The square hosts a variety of activities throughout the year, but is primarily a quiet space in which to relax or eat lunch. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The Square is located on what once was a "500-foot deep grassy field that served no apparent purpose other than to make City Hall hard to reach."<ref name=hume>{{cite news |last=Hume |first=Christopher |date=June 16, 1989 |title=North York's Heart is in Lastman Square | | The Square is located on what once was a "500-foot deep grassy field that served no apparent purpose other than to make City Hall hard to reach."<ref name=hume>{{cite news |last=Hume |first=Christopher |date=June 16, 1989 |title=North York's Heart is in Lastman Square |id={{ProQuest|<!-- insert ProQuest data here -->}}|work=The Toronto Star |location=Toronto }}</ref> The square was named after Lastman in a motion brought forth by [[Howard Moscoe]] at a city council meeting in April 1986.<ref name=hume/> Architect Michael Kirkland felt the overuse of concrete made the square feel "chintzy"; he would have used granite had the budget allowed for it.<ref name=hume/> The Square cost $5 million to build.<ref name=james>{{cite news |last=James |first=Royson |date=June 16, 1989 |title=Tearful Mel is really scared he'll blow his cool on big day |work=The Toronto Star |location=Toronto |id={{ProQuest|<!-- insert ProQuest data here -->}} }}</ref> | ||
The opening ceremony on June 16 was attended by 3,500 people, including [[Lincoln Alexander]] and [[Alan Tonks]]. It featured a choir and an inflatable [[King Kong]] on a nearby rooftop. MP [[Alan Redway]] read a tribute from [[Brian Mulroney]] and 7,000 balloons were released.<ref>{{cite news |last=Duffy |first=Andrew |date=June 17, 1989 |title= 3,500 help Lastman open his square|work=The Toronto Star | | The opening ceremony on June 16 was attended by 3,500 people, including [[Lincoln Alexander]] and [[Alan Tonks]]. It featured a choir and an inflatable [[King Kong]] on a nearby rooftop. MP [[Alan Redway]] read a tribute from [[Brian Mulroney]] and 7,000 balloons were released.<ref>{{cite news |last=Duffy |first=Andrew |date=June 17, 1989 |title= 3,500 help Lastman open his square|work=The Toronto Star |id={{ProQuest|<!-- insert ProQuest data here -->}}}}</ref> | ||
Surrounded by [[Yonge Street]] on the east, the [[Toronto District School Board]] headquarters on the south, North York Civic Centre on the west, and to the north by the [[North York Central Library]] and North York Centre shopping/office/hotel complex (5150 Yonge Street), Mel Lastman Square was intended to be the heart of North York. With its sunken configuration and tree cover, activities can take place away from the busy traffic on Yonge Street. | Surrounded by [[Yonge Street]] on the east, the [[Toronto District School Board]] headquarters on the south, North York Civic Centre on the west, and to the north by the [[North York Central Library]] and North York Centre shopping/office/hotel complex (5150 Yonge Street), Mel Lastman Square was intended to be the heart of North York. With its sunken configuration and tree cover, activities can take place away from the busy traffic on Yonge Street. | ||
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==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Dempsey Store (North York)]] | * [[Dempsey Store (North York)]] | ||
* [[Gibson House]] | * [[Gibson House]] | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
*{{Commons category-inline|Mel Lastman Square}} | * {{Commons category-inline|Mel Lastman Square}} | ||
*[http://www.toronto.ca/parks/events/mel-lastman.htm Mel Lastman Square | * [http://www.toronto.ca/parks/events/mel-lastman.htm Mel Lastman Square – Community Events ] | ||
{{Parks and squares in Toronto}} | {{Parks and squares in Toronto}} | ||
Latest revision as of 14:53, 24 June 2025
Template:Short description Template:More citations needed Template:Infobox urban feature Template:OSM Location map Mel Lastman Square is a public square at North York Civic Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is named after then North York mayor (and later Toronto mayor) Mel Lastman. It was officially opened on June 16, 1989, by Norman Jewison and Mel Lastman's granddaughter Brie Lastman. The architects were J. Michael Kirkland.[1]
The square hosts a variety of activities throughout the year, but is primarily a quiet space in which to relax or eat lunch.
History
The Square is located on what once was a "500-foot deep grassy field that served no apparent purpose other than to make City Hall hard to reach."[2] The square was named after Lastman in a motion brought forth by Howard Moscoe at a city council meeting in April 1986.[2] Architect Michael Kirkland felt the overuse of concrete made the square feel "chintzy"; he would have used granite had the budget allowed for it.[2] The Square cost $5 million to build.[3]
The opening ceremony on June 16 was attended by 3,500 people, including Lincoln Alexander and Alan Tonks. It featured a choir and an inflatable King Kong on a nearby rooftop. MP Alan Redway read a tribute from Brian Mulroney and 7,000 balloons were released.[4]
Surrounded by Yonge Street on the east, the Toronto District School Board headquarters on the south, North York Civic Centre on the west, and to the north by the North York Central Library and North York Centre shopping/office/hotel complex (5150 Yonge Street), Mel Lastman Square was intended to be the heart of North York. With its sunken configuration and tree cover, activities can take place away from the busy traffic on Yonge Street.
An artificial stream runs from a fountain under a large sign at Yonge Street down into a large concrete square. Planters, trees, shrubs and wooden benches surround the area. A large pond is located in the centre of the square that serves as a relaxing focal point in the summer and a skating rink in the winter.[5]
The square also features an outdoor theatre for a number of events, including Sunday Serenades jazz concerts each summer. Other events include RBC Run for the Kids, a farmer's market, cultural festivals, Canada Day festivities and numerous family events.
The family of one of the victims of the Toronto van attack donated a piano in April 2019 to the square. It has been placed under a rotunda at Mel Lastman Square.[6]
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A tree-lined walkway by morning at Mel Lastman Square, looking east toward Yonge Street
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Performance onstage at Mel Lastman Square, Canada Day 2007
