The Bentway reinterprets the space beneath the Gardiner Expressway into a dynamic, multi-season public corridor stretching roughly 1.75 kilometres. Once filled with vacant lots, rail lines, and parking, the area now invites pedestrians and cyclists through sculpted civic “rooms” formed by concrete pillars. These sections connect seven neighbourhoods and key destinations such as Fort York National Historic Site and the waterfront.

The project began with an urban planner’s vision and a major philanthropic gift from Judy and Wilmot Matthews. It transformed with design leadership from Waterfront Toronto and Public Work, coming to life in phases. The first phase opened in early 2018, complete with a year-round skating trail.

Today, The Bentway hosts a range of free and seasonal programming. Activities include farmers’ markets, art installations, festivals, skating parties, cultural performances, and public workshops. Staging Grounds, added in 2023, extends the transformation by weaving rainwater capture and native planting into the reclaimed space.

Designed as a creative platform and a civic experiment, The Bentway reaffirms that infrastructure can become community infrastructure. It offers shade, movement, and gathering beneath Toronto’s busiest highway. The space hums with purpose: community gathering, ecological thought, and design experimentation.

Learn more about The Bentway:

Life Beneath the Gardiner at The Bentway