Grand Precinct Engagement Report

Community Infrastructure & Social Needs

Findings & Recommendations

The study recommends transforming Toronto’s Grange Precinct into a more connected, inclusive, and community-focused hub by expanding social infrastructure, improving public spaces, strengthening coordinated services, and prioritizing culturally responsive and Indigenous-led development.

Led by: Untitled Planning
Community Partners: Nbisiing Consulting, University Settlement, the City of Toronto’s Social Development Division and CreateTO

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background

The Grange Precinct Engagement Report is a community-based research and engagement study focused on the future of the Grange Precinct in Downtown Toronto, an area centered around key public and community-serving assets including University Settlement, Harrison Pool, St. Patrick’s Market, St. Patrick’s Square, and Grange Park. Commissioned as part of CreateTO and the City of Toronto’s long-term Real Estate Strategy for the area, the project was developed to better understand the social infrastructure, service delivery, and community space needs emerging within a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse downtown population.

Led by Untitled Planning in collaboration with University Settlement, the City of Toronto’s Social Development Division, Nbisiing Consulting, and community partners, the study engaged more than 650 residents, service users, community organizations, Indigenous groups, and local institutions through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and public pop-ups. The findings highlight growing pressures related to housing insecurity, fragmented social services, lack of accessible and culturally responsive community spaces, and increasing demand for public amenities and care infrastructure. The report ultimately provides a framework for more equitable and community-centered redevelopment by emphasizing integrated service hubs, Indigenous-led placemaking, improved public spaces, cultural infrastructure, and coordinated investments in long-term social wellbeing across the Downtown West.

Findings

The engagement process revealed a strong shared appreciation for the Grange Precinct as an important social, cultural, and community hub within Downtown West Toronto. At the same time, participants identified growing pressures on local infrastructure, public space, and social services, highlighting the need for more coordinated, inclusive, and community-centered investment as the area continues to grow and change.

Growing pressure on community infrastructure: Residents, service providers, and community organizations described the Grange Precinct as a valuable and highly used community hub, but one where existing facilities, services, and public spaces are no longer keeping pace with the needs of a rapidly growing and diverse downtown population.
Need for more inclusive and coordinated services: Participants identified major gaps in affordable housing, mental health supports, harm reduction services, and everyday public amenities such as washrooms and gathering spaces. Many also emphasized that while the area has a strong network of organizations, services remain difficult to access and better coordination between agencies is needed.
Importance of culturally responsive and community-led spaces: Across all engagement streams, participants emphasized the importance of creating welcoming, culturally inclusive, and Indigenous-led spaces that support safety, belonging, arts and culture, youth programming, and community wellbeing.
Strong potential for revitalization and long-term investment: Existing assets such as University Settlement, Harrison Pool, St. Patrick’s Market, and Grange Park were viewed as important foundations for future redevelopment, with participants supporting a vision for a more connected, accessible, and community-centered Precinct supported by expanded social infrastructure and public realm improvements.