Introducing our new board treasurer
September 15, 2025
Rita Said reflects on her recent appointment as our new Board Treasurer, during a crucial period of transition and planning-for-growth. She sat down with our staff’s financial Controller, Tessa Chan, to discuss what drew her to the organization and what opportunities that lie on the horizon. Tessa (TC): Before joining the Board as Treasurer, you […]
Introducing the Gardiner Corridor Alliance
September 15, 2025
Last year we launched the Gardiner Corridor Alliance (GCA), a new Bentway community made up of developers, designers, planners, and other professionals working to transform the 6.5km stretch of land along and adjacent to the Gardiner. Together, our shared impact falls in the fastest-growing area in the country. With 44 active and recently-completed projects, the […]
Incorporating Indigenous design, histories, and knowledge
September 15, 2025
We are currently in-design on The Bentway Islands, a future new Bentway site located at the foot of Spadina Ave. As part of this work, we’re proud to collaborate with Brook McIlroy’s in-house Indigenous Design Studio to meaningfully place Indigenous design, landscape, and history to the space. Robert McKaye (Senior Manager, Planning and Design) had a […]
In the neighbourhood
September 15, 2025
Our close neighbour, Chris Glover (MPP Spadina-Fort York), can often be seen gliding along our Skate Trail in the winter. He has become a great champion and a dear friend of The Bentway team. Chris took some time to chat with our Facilities Manager, Michael Clarke, about skating, public space, and a changing neighbourhood. MC: […]
Partners in placemaking
September 15, 2025
On the heels of a wildly successful partnership with Choice Properties to produce Dominoes in 2024, Orit Sarfaty, VP Sustainability and Placemaking at Choice Properties, and Ilana Altman, our Co-Executive Director at The Bentway, sit down to celebrate the magic of this project and chart a path forward for future collaborations. Ilana (IA): We were […]
Magic ingredients for Dominoes
September 15, 2025
The Bentway’s Production Manager, Stephanie Dudek, met with her lead producers, Ben Freedman and Jeremy Forsyth, to recall the thrills and complexities of managing 8,000 concrete blocks, 300 volunteers, and a sculpture over 2.5km in length! Steph (SD): I have been managing the Bentway’s production team for over six years and was thrilled to bring […]
Well-being, social connection, and public space
September 15, 2025
Reflecting on a rich collaboration, The Bentway’s Co-Executive Director Ilana Altman spoke with Julia D. Day (Partner and Director, Gehl New York) and Dr. Kate Mulligan (Founder and Scientific Director of the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing; Associate Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health) to chat about our shared research into the […]
“Paddle Power”: enable A Lake Story with a donation today
August 7, 2025
A Lake Story will soon take shape on Lake Ontario and become The Bentway’s most ambitious public art project to date. Realized with artist Melissa McGill through 500 volunteers, 120 canoes… and you!
Call for Volunteers to support A Lake Story by Melissa McGill
August 6, 2025
We are inviting 400+ local canoers and paddlers to join us for a large-scale art project. Volunteers will paddle approximately 120 canoes in a coordinated slow-moving procession.
Call for Paddling Volunteers
July 16, 2025
We are inviting 400+ local canoers and paddlers to join us for a large-scale art project. Volunteers will paddle approximately 120 canoes in a coordinated slow-moving procession.
Introducing members of the Gardiner Corridor Alliance, a new Bentway community
April 22, 2025
The Gardiner Corridor Alliance (GCA) is a group of developers, designers, planners, and other professionals working to transform the 6.5km stretch of land along and adjacent to the elevated Gardiner Expressway. Learn more about some of our inaugural members: EllisDon and Wallman Architects. Get to know the members of the Gardiner Corridor Alliance (GCA), who […]
Waterfront Stories: TMU Collaborative Studio
February 11, 2025
Students from Toronto Metropolitan University’s Department of Architectural Science partnered with The Bentway to reimagine spaces beneath Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway, exploring how underutilized areas could be transformed into vibrant hubs for community life. Toronto Metropolitan University’s Department of Architectural Science hosts collaborative studio every winter, a unique intensive workshop for 160 undergraduate students across varying […]
School Visits: Reimagining the Highway
January 10, 2025
Learn about the many ways infrastructure can serve our city! The Bentway engages planners, artists, educators, and local communities as active participants in the creation of new public spaces below the Gardiner Expressway and healthy communities across Toronto.
Winter Skating Frequently Asked Questions
December 3, 2024
Find answers to commonly asked winter skating questions below. What are your hours of operation? Please CLICK HERE to see our hours of operation. If the Skate Trail is closed due to weather conditions, we will post a notice on our website homepage and on Instagram. Skate Rental and Concession Stand Skating Trail Questions General
moving beyond concrete
October 22, 2024
For Summer 2023, The Bentway invited the city to explore the overlooked nature of the Expressway through a constellation of free installations, performances, conversations and events.
our team
October 18, 2024
Return to Annual Report 2023/24 Supporters Our work wouldn’t be possible without the growing family of city-builders who support The Bentway year-round. Staff We are a group of city-builders, civic animators, dreamers, and do-ers who work to unlock new opportunities for the Gardiner. Board Our senior volunteers guide the organization’s growth, sustainability, governance, fundraising, and […]
our financials
October 18, 2024
Return to Annual Report 2023/24 “This year, the organization navigated a challenging financial environment with resilience and determination – while building a clear path towards future expansion. I honestly couldn’t be happier to be part of such an amazing group — it’s the people here that truly make TheBentway shine!” – Tessa Chan, Controller (The […]
winter colours
October 18, 2024
Return to Annual Report 2023/24 For winter 2023-24, we were pleased to welcome back neighbours and fun-seekers to The Bentway for ice skating, a new signature art installation, the return of Polar Bear Skate, free workshops, and more. Winter @ The Bentway “It was my first winter at The Bentway! Managing ice skating was a […]
celebrating together
October 18, 2024
Return to Annual Report 2023/24 There was a lot to celebrate last year, including at some marquee events for Bentway friends, our neighbours, and our supporters. Here’s a look back at some of our favourite days and nights. Beyond Concrete Opening Party Summer Block Party “What a treat to kick off the summer season in […]
working more sustainably
October 18, 2024
Return to Annual Report 2023/24 “I’m immensely proud of our efforts across 2023 to put the organization’s sustainability learnings into action. We’ve been building on these successes through sector-wide convenings and publications about public art and sustainability, and in the commissioning of our future exhibitions.” – Anna Gallagher-Ross, Senior Manager of Programming (The Bentway) Our […]
transforming the gardiner
October 18, 2024
Return to Annual Report 2023/24 Fueled by recent successes like the completion of the Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan (UGPRP), The Bentway is leading an exciting next chapter for the Expressway. Here’s a recap of progress in 2023-24. Our Board Chair on how our work is flexing Toronto’s imagination “2023 was a year of true […]
Public Art and Sustainability Initiative
October 9, 2024
In order to address the specific environmental challenges in public areas and in the presentation of public art works, in March 2024 The Bentway seeded the Public Art and Sustainability Initiative – a collaborative partnership between a national network of fellow public art curators, organizations and public space operators.
Local partner Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has supported The Bentway since Year 1
September 30, 2024
Dave (Co-Executive Director) meets up with Deborah Wilson (VP, Communications and Public Affairs @ PortsToronto) and Nadia Dzula (Manager, Corporate and Community Programs @ Nieuport Aviation) to discuss our continued collaboration in the west waterfront neighbourhood. Though most often experienced as a linear public space moving east-west, our growing work is also prioritizing north-south connectivity […]
Welcome to The Bentway family, Manulife!
September 30, 2024
Dave (Co-Executive Director) and Manulife’s Joanna Marcovici celebrate the incredible start of a fruitful multi-year partnership Through their Impact Agenda, Manulife is committed to empowering sustained health and well-being that supports the journey towards a better life, as well as accelerating a sustainable future for our planet. Like us, they recognize the link between our […]