Finding Our Way Around Guild Park

How can we make it easier for people — from first-timers to repeat visitors — to navigate Guild Park’s 88 acres of unique architecture and natural attractions?

Friends of Guild Park has submitted a series of recommendations to the City of Toronto aimed at strengthening the City’s proposed new wayfinding system for the park.

The recommendations grew out of a request for public input through the Guild Park Resource Group — a City-directed assembly of park professionals and park users. Local organizations represented at the table include FGP, Guild Festival Theatre and the Guildwood Village Community Association.

FGP’s report reflects both local knowledge and the experiences of park users — from frequently asked questions by visitors to observations from more than 60 Arts Management students at the University of Toronto Scarborough.

FGP strongly supports the City’s initiative to bring best practices in park sign design to Guild Park, replacing the current mix of unplanned and often confusing notices and signs.

Among our suggestions:

●       Make sure signs are installed at key park entrances, including along the increasingly popular, though currently undeveloped, corridor of the future Scarborough Waterfront Trail.

●       Have the wayfinding signs — which will incorporate the City’s first formal Guild Park maps — use consistent and appropriate names for trails, routes, features and destinations throughout the site. The maps used on the City’s wayfinding signs in High Park provide an excellent example for Guild Park to emulate.

●       Include useful trail information on signs. This could range from trail conditions and walking times to directions to points of interest and an easy locator system so people can describe where they are should assistance be needed.

FGP notes that detailed interpretive signage about Guild Park’s unique natural and cultural features is beyond the scope of the current wayfinding project. However, we suggest that the family of signs about to be installed be designed with tomorrow in mind. That way, additional park information — perhaps using QR codes — can be added in the future without costly duplication or rework.

Guild Park is a large and complex site being discovered by increasing numbers of people. Effective signage will make the park more welcoming, accessible and enjoyable.

We don’t yet know the City’s next steps, but FGP will continue working with City officials on the project and keep Guild Park supporters informed.

It’s another opportunity to bring together professional expertise, community knowledge and the experience of park users — helping an extraordinary park live up to its potential.