$128,600 OTF Grant from the Province helps with capital improvements at The Bentway
January 19, 2026
This winter, The Bentway is enhancing its much-loved under-Gardiner site, including its signature Skate Trail, thanks to receiving a $128,600 Capital grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) in 2025. MPP Chris Glover was at The Bentway on Friday to celebrate and highlight the importance of investment in public spaces. “The Bentway is one of our community’s most loved spaces, and I’m thrilled to support this $128,600 capital […]
Call for Expressions of Interest: Temporary Public Art Commission at The Bentway
January 6, 2026
The Bentway Conservancy is pleased to announce a Call for Expressions of Interest for the return of its Transform the Trail program, which seeks an artistic collaborator to respond to both the Bentway site and our relationships to the winter season.
Toronto’s Next Great Connector
December 15, 2025
For years, the spaces beneath the Gardiner Expressway have been developed in fragments, resulting in short trail segments and disconnected public spaces. The Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan aims to address the current gaps by outlining a cohesive roadmap for improvements along the corridor. This includes streetscape standards that make wayfinding intuitive, predictable amenities such as seating, lighting, and rest areas that make the route welcoming for everyone.
A Toronto Winter Tradition Returns: Skating Under the Gardiner Opens December 20
December 1, 2025
This year the celebration is taking shape on the ice! Now in our 8th year, we’re inviting Toronto back to our iconic 220m figure-eight skate trail, a fitting symbol for how winter has brought paths together across the city since day one.
Designing cooler urban spaces: The Bentway’s new report on the power of shade
November 20, 2025
Discover key insights from Sun/Shade, The Bentway’s summer 2025 initiative, which explored how design, art, and community engagement can help cities adapt to rising temperatures. This new publication highlights creative, equitable, and climate-ready strategies for building cooler, more connected public spaces.
The Bentway Enters a Bold Next Chapter of Growth and Citywide Impact with Leadership Transition
November 12, 2025
Building on significant progress to date — from the design of The Bentway Islands to expanded programming on the city’s west end — The Bentway is advancing bold public art, design, and civic projects that connect communities and reimagine Toronto’s public spaces.
Concrete to Canvas: A public talk on November 20
November 1, 2025
Explore the power of urban murals at this free public talk on November 20, hosted by The Bentway and The Creative Communities Commons (CCC) at the University of Toronto’s School of Cities.
The Bentway and Exhibition Place announce plans to connect our two sites
October 29, 2025
The opening of a new joint mural project signals the future westward expansion of The Bentway’s programming offerings and trail, under Strachan Ave into Exhibition Place.
Howl’oween returns to The Bentway on October 25
October 1, 2025
Toronto’s ulti-mutt fall celebration is back! Howl’oween at The Bentway invites families—two-legged and four—for an afternoon of spooky fun, creative costumes, and plenty of wagging tails. The Bentway presents the beloved, annual spooky-season tradition on Saturday, October 25 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm at 250 Fort York Blvd. Thanks to returning Presenting Sponsor, Ren’s Pets, This year’s canine […]
Together in public space: 2024-25 Annual Report
September 22, 2025
We invite you to relive some of the energy, connections, and creativity we’ve built together in our 2024-25 Annual Report, and to consider getting more deeply involved with The Bentway this year. Thank you for your continued support!
Tips on how to experience A Lake Story
September 19, 2025
On September 27 & 28, audiences are invited to celebrate the shoreline with A Lake Story, created by artist Melissa McGill. Discover more about the project and check out our recommended viewing areas to get ready for the performances!
SOLAR, an immersive spectacle of sunset, reimagined with robotics and 200 beams of light
August 26, 2025
Skip-the-line tickets now on sale for SOLAR, The Bentway’s new commission by acclaimed Italian artist Quayola From October 16-19, The Bentway transforms the Gardiner into a glowing horizon with SOLAR, an expansive light installation by Italian artist Quayola. Over four nights only, audiences can experience a city sunset reimagined through cutting-edge technology and contemporary art. […]
The Bentway & Exhibition Place announce Petal and Stone, new mural by Rebecca Munce
August 21, 2025
The Bentway and Exhibition Place reveal plans for 10,000 sq ft public art project by Canadian artist Rebecca Munce, transforming a new stretch of the Gardiner into an urban storyboard
The Bentway ‘takes to the water’ this September
August 7, 2025
Join the canoe procession: 500 Volunteers invited to bring an unprecedented artwork to life, and co-create with renowned artist Melissa McGill.
A brighter future under the Gardiner Expressway
July 31, 2025
The Bentway is teaming up with Light Bureau (Norway), CityPlace and Fort York BIA, the Waterfront BIA and the City of Toronto to brighten intersections under the Gardiner Expressway, starting with a bold new lighting project coming soon to Dan Leckie Way at Lake Shore Boulevard West.
Cool Spots: Remapping a Hotter Toronto
July 25, 2025
Discover and share the places that keep you cool in Toronto! From shaded underpasses to breezy green spaces, your submissions will help shape a growing community map of urban relief and resilience. As summer heat intensifies, shade becomes more than a comfort; it becomes a public resource. Cool Spots invites Torontonians to share their favourite […]
Made in the Shade: Sun Safety Is In for the Summer
July 17, 2025
The Bentway is thrilled to recognize the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund as the official sun safety partner for Sun/Shade, our summer exhibition of public art that explores shade as an essential public resource and reimagines how cities can adapt to warmer climates and create safer, more comfortable urban spaces. Partnering with the David Cornfield Melanoma […]
The Bentway co-commissions a new work by media artist Quayola, premiering this weekend at Italy’s Videocittà festival
July 2, 2025
Set to close out our Sun/Shade program this October, this debut international collaboration will dazzle visitors with an immersive night-time solar experience. The Bentway is proud to announce a landmark partnership with Videocittà, Rome’s celebrated festival dedicated to video and digital culture, through the co-commissioning of a major new artwork by Italian artist Quayola. SOLAR […]
Toronto’s Summer Forecast? More Art Workshops, Roller Skating, and Urban Canopy Parades
June 17, 2025
The Bentway’s summer 2025 programming is in full swing and we are excited to announce that tickets are available for our events in July, August, and September! Spend some time in your community and meet us under the Gardiner for workshops, parades, parties, and more.
A Giant Sand Dune is Appearing Under the Gardiner this week
June 9, 2025
Experience the world premiere of Sand Flight, from choreographer Ingri Fiksdal and theatre director Jonas Corell Petersen. Eight dancers and a 50-person choir descend on a massive sand dune under the Gardiner Expressway for a powerful performance that speculates on climates-to-come, where shade-worshipping becomes a new tradition. Sand FlightA new creation by Ingri Fiksdal and Jonas Corell […]
Urban Canopy in Motion: A Moving Forest for a Changing City
May 12, 2025
NL Architects’ Moving Forest is a playful installation of 50 trees strapped in shopping carts travelling throughout the city, stopping to create impromptu shade canopies and provide relief from the summer sun. Follow their eight-week journey throughout the city – from YZD, to The Bentway, to the Waterfront – and enjoy pop-up readings, performances and […]
The Bentway named as a host site for Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival, coming Summer 2026
May 7, 2025
Together with Fort York, The Bentway will co-host the central fan destination for FIFA World Cup in Toronto next year, welcoming thousands of Torontonians and visitors from across the globe to cheer on the game together. Toronto is a proud host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026, along with 15 other cities in Canada, […]
Sun & Shade take centre stage at The Bentway this summer
April 14, 2025
The Bentway’s summer 2025 programming explores sun as a creative collaborator, shade as a new essential resource, and brings back visitor-favourites like roller skating.
Bentway Islands reaches milestone with presentation to the Waterfront Design Review Panel
February 13, 2025
The proposed plans include an expansive off-leash park, a range of sport courts to facilitate recreation, and new trails and improved connectivity Design work continues on Bentway Islands, an upcoming “sister site” to The Bentway’s beloved location between Bathurst St. and Strachan Ave. The design team of Field Operations (New York) and Brook McIlroy (Toronto) presented […]