Butterfield Park revitalization project launches in late July

OCAD University is proud to announce the completion of the Butterfield Park revitalization fundraising campaign, raising over $1.7 million towards the project. 

Early contributions from George and Martha Butterfield and David Binet propelled the campaign forward to reimagine the park as a dynamic hub of creativity, innovation and community engagement. The campaign was concluded by Chancellor Jaime Watt and Paul Ferguson’s generous gift.  

Butterfield Park serves as a central gathering place for OCAD U students, AGO patrons, neighbours and the general public; it is also a key piece of green infrastructure for the City of Toronto that will create a more welcoming and inspiring environment for all.

“As beauty extends beyond the canvas, sculpture, the classroom and other art forms to the environment, we are excited to support a sustainable outside space for contemplation and creativity,” says Martha Butterfield.

PFS Studio, the same visionary landscape architecture firm that redesigned Grange Park, led the design process in collaboration with Indigenous consultants, Two Row Architect. As a first step, the design team solicited feedback from students, faculty and staff through a survey in 2020 about various preferences, including factors such as park usage, integration of OCAD U values and overall vision. Input from University stakeholder groups as well as from residents of the neighbourhood were also taken into consideration. 

Construction on the park’s revitalization is set to begin in late July 2024 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024. 

“On behalf of OCAD University, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our generous donors for their support in the revitalization of Butterfield Park,” says Ana Serrano, President and Vice-Chancellor of OCAD University. “This initiative will enhance the campus environment and become a place for community collaborations where creativity in the city can flourish.” 

The revitalized park will include a dedicated space for public art installations, an expanded amphitheatre, a ceremonial fire circle and thoughtfully selected native plants and trees throughout the gardens. 

“The generosity of our donors is the cornerstone of this project, ensuring that Butterfield Park becomes a vibrant, inclusive and environmentally conscious community space,” says Mary Koutsoubos, OCAD U’s Executive Director of Advancement. 

The revitalized Butterfield Park will:

• Build Community: The renovated space will host various activities, programs and social events in new seating and gathering areas with enhanced infrastructure.
• Create a Vibrant Hub for Public Art: It will be the prominent outdoor venue for OCAD U to showcase art and design installations as well as engaging and inspiring activations.
• Better Connect Parks: Strengthen the visual and physical connection between Butterfield Park and Grange Park, improving the streetscape and neighbourhood cohesion.
• Protect and Enhance the Environment: Integrating green space, new trees, community gardens and year-round planting will reduce environmental impact and combat climate change in the urban area.
• Empower and Support the Indigenous Community: The park will embody Indigenous design principles, serving as a welcoming Indigenous common for all visitors to rest, contemplate and commune. It will continue to showcase the large-scale mural, pi'tawita'iek: we go up river, by acclaimed Mi’kmaq artist Jordan Bennett for several years and serve as a lasting land acknowledgement. 
   

Thank you to our donors:

• George and Martha Butterfield
• David Binet 
• Jaime Watt and Paul Ferguson
• Anonymous
• TD Bank Group 
• DH Gales Family Charitable Foundation 
• The Catherine & Maxwell Meighen Foundation