love park toronto

Toronto's Love Park pond just got drained because of someone's dumb stunt

Love Park has been one of Toronto's most anticipated and unique new green spaces, boasting a charming heart-shaped pond outlined with red mosaic-tiled seating at its focal point.

The two-acre park at Queens Quay West and York Street has been a very welcome aesthetic upgrade from the old Gardiner off-ramp that used to occupy the site, but in the 13 months since it first opened to the public, its signature water feature has already had its fair share of issues.

The pool initially turned an off-putting green colour just weeks after its debut, which was due to a minor mechanical malfunction.

As visitors started to take notice, the City installed signage asking for some understanding as the natural, wetland-mimicking filtration system took its time to balance the water chemistry. (In the meantime, at least one individual was caught using the pond in ways it was not intended to be used.)

After last summer's little hiccup, it looks like the amenity has had more water colour problems this season, though the opposite kind — the pond appeared too blue, some began pointing out on Monday.

"Watching the evolution of the pond since it's inception from our office windows has been a roller coaster ride. So many different colours," one person joked on a Reddit post about the unnaturally azure waters.

"WOW! Usually I see it green. Has it been fixed now?" another asked.

Though the blue may have been preferable to green, this was again an issue that indeed did need fixing.

Love Park's water is very blue today
byu/Hieberrr intoronto

Toronto Senior Communications Coordinator Shane Gerard told blogTO that the shade was a result of a rogue parkgoer actually pouring blue dye into the feature earlier this week. He added that as of Friday, it us unknown who the person or persons responsible are, but "this behaviour is unacceptable and interferes with public infrastructure."

Those visiting at this point in the week have found the pool disappointingly empty, with the City assuring patrons that it will be refilled with fresh water shortly after the dye cleanup is complete.

Love Park Problems? Pond Drained
byu/TDPAMN intoronto

"We're still investigating and through our initial finding, it appears the dye, although not harmful to the public, has the potential to impact the performance of the biofilter, the ozone water treatment and stain the pond walls and bottom," Gerard said.

"The City is asking Torontonians to avoid the space around Love Park Pond to allow the contractor to clean all equipment properly before refilling the pond with fresh water. Once refilled, if any blue dye residue remains, this process will be repeated."

Here's hoping that this is the adorable little park's last setback.

Lead photo by

Waterfront Toronto


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