the bentway

Toronto reclaiming more space under Gardiner Expressway for people and events

A new temporary public space in Toronto, called the Bentway Staging Grounds, will soon transform the vacant land under the Gardiner Expressway into a site that explores new ways to leverage stormwater. 

The immersive installation will be unveiled in September 2023 under the Gardiner Expressway at Dan Leckie Way and was designed by Agency—Agency (NYC) and SHEEEP (Toronto). 

Once open, you can travel through a series of elevated walkways to observe the experimental gardens in the public space, which will use the Gardiner's water runoff system to divert rain and melted snow to support the growth of flowering native plants like milkweed and yarrow. 

Along the walkways, you can also discover strategies for filtration and flood mitigation that could one day be applied across the length of the highway. 

The interim intervention will remain in place until the City of Toronto's Gardiner Expressway Rehabilitation work commences in the area, which is currently scheduled for late 2025. 

Over the project's two-year duration, The Bentway is also set to commission artists to present original, rotating artworks on a series of scaffolding towers that will line the site facing Lake Shore Boulevard. 

The temporary public space will be viewable 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will be completely free to visit.

Lead photo by

The Bentway


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Video shows passengers evacuating Delta plane after crash at Toronto airport

Delta plane flips over in crash at Pearson airport in Toronto

Homes taken over by Metrolinx for new Toronto subway will soon be demolished

What's open and closed on Family Day 2025 in Toronto

Gardiner Expressway construction faces new hiccup with upcoming lawsuit

Law-breaking Toronto driver stopped by cops during live news broadcast

Second Toronto storm could bring another 30 cm of snow

Toronto is about to make it a lot easier to visit the Scarborough Bluffs