Mural depicting six portraits of women of colour.
Memory Work  

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Situated at the western entrance to The Bentway, Memory Work is a mural made up of twelve embellished photographic portraits of revolutionary women and non-binary figures from a future Toronto. Initiated by studio From Later with artist Rajni Perera and Memory Work Collective, this speculative monument imagines a city characterized by collective care and politics that value nurturing over growth.

An intersection under an urban highway is painted blue; maintenance equipment have been converted into bright, friendly characters with "googly eyes" overlooking passers-by
Waterfront ReConnect: Boom Town

On view now

Boom Town employs vibrant colour, playful characters, and environmental lighting to enliven the York Street intersection, improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.

Pedestrians explore a colourful wall under an expressway.
Waterfront ReConnect: Pixel Story

On view now

Pixel Story references the multitude of vantages, scales, speeds, and distances at which to view the Expressway, enticing passersby to move forward towards the waterfront, or pause to reflect on its diverse stories.

Bentway Staging Grounds

On view now

Bentway Staging Grounds is a site of active, environmental learning that continues The Bentway’s creative work along the Gardiner Expressway. Visitors are invited into a living laboratory for urban ecology, with experimental gardens that use rainwater run-off from the highway above to support the growth of flowering plant species.

A colourful illsturation of figures dancing in a forest
The Space of Belonging

On view now

On the occasion of Nuit Blanche 2024, The Bentway renews the monumental Staging Grounds scaffolding towers with a new work by Andrea Heimer that explores urban loneliness and the actions we can take as a city to move closer to one another. 

Resurfacing  

On view at Exhibition Place until December 4, On view at The Bentway Skate Trail from December 21 – February 17

Reflecting on a highway undergoing major renewal, Resurfacing layers, tears, weaves, and folds striking images of the Gardiner Expressway’s many transformations over time – including the major repair work currently happening now. Co-presented with (and presented off-site at) Exhibition Place. 

visit

The Bentway is active at multiple sites under and near the Gardiner Expressway:

Getting there

250 Fort York Blvd, under the Gardiner

The Bentway Skate Trail is situated on the lands of Fort York National Historic Site, running from just east of the Fort York Visitors Centre to Bastion St.

Find at: bents 83-89

By TTC

511 Bathurst (at Fort York Blvd)
509 Harbourfront (at Fleet St)

A couple walks through a trail under an elevated highway, surrounded by greenery
Children and adults ice skate along a trail, underneath an elevated highway
Parking

Paid parking available @ Green P lots, located at 250 Fort York Blvd and 800 Fleet Street.

Accessibility

This space is fully accessible to mobility devices, with flat paved and wooden decked surfaces. 

Free wifi

Free wifi is provided by Beanfield. Sign onto “Beanfield1hfree” and get one free hour of wifi at The Bentway.

Washroom Hours

Our washroom hours are currently:

Sunday-Monday (closed)

Tuesday-Saturday (11am – 6:30pm)

Getting there

250 Fort York Blvd, under the Gardiner

The Bentway Strachan Gate is situated on the lands of Fort York National Historic Site, at Strachan Ave.

Find at: bents 46-50

By TTC

509 Harbourfront (at Fleet St)
63 Ossington (at East Liberty St)
511 Bathurst (at Fort York Blvd)

Parking

Paid parking available @ Green P lots, located at 250 Fort York Blvd and 800 Fleet Street.

Accessibility

This space is partially accessible to mobility devices. In addition to flat and sloped paved surfaces, a large surface is covered in compacted gravel. Washrooms are accessible to mobility devices. Recommended entry to the site: from the east or the south.

Free wifi

Free wifi is provided by Beanfield. Sign onto “Beanfield1hfree” and get one free hour of wifi at The Bentway.

Getting there

55 Fort York Blvd

The Bentway Studio is a mixed indoor/outdoor facility that faces into Canoe Landing Park, just west of Spadina Ave.

Find at: north of bent 116

By TTC

510 Spadina (at Bremner Blvd / Fort York Blvd)

Children practice stilt-walking on an outdoor terrace
An intimate, night-time musical performance underneath twinkly string lights
Parking

Paid parking available at local InPark and Green P lots, and on local streets (including Dan Leckie Way and Housey St).

Accessibility

This space is fully accessible to mobility devices, with flat surfaces. 

Off-Site Projects

In addition to operating permanent public spaces, The Bentway is testing out new ideas for the Gardiner Expressway through a series of temporary shorter-term projects.

Explore these off-site projects here:

Staging Grounds Under Gardiner
Staging Grounds

Viewable 24 hrs/day
Find at: bent #113-117
Under the Gardiner @ Dan Leckie Way

Get directions on Google Maps ->

Pixel Story Under Gardiner
Pixel Story

Viewable 24 hrs/dav
Find at: bents #169-170
Under the Gardiner @ Simcoe Street

Get directions in Google Maps -›

Boom Town Under Gardiner
Boom Town

Viewable 24 hrs/day
Find at: bents #179-182
Under the Gardiner @ York St

Get directions in Google Maps -›