Along the Play Path search for and photograph, sketch, or otherwise record out-of-the-way parts of the city that you might not have noticed before:
- Graffiti. Can you understand what it means?
- Distant billboards. Meant for drivers, but visible to all.
- Locked doors or barriers. Don’t trespass, just notice.
- Secret numbers / instructions for people other than you. What are they for?
Select things that you think will last different amounts of time:
- Days
- Weeks
- Years
- Generations
Once you have at least 5 (more to make the game harder):
Put them in order according to when you think they’ll be gone.
If you’re with a friend you can work together, or compete and each make your own predictions.
(Decide for yourself what it means for something to be ‘gone’. E.g. is graffiti gone if it’s covered up by new art, or only if it’s erased by the city?)
As often as you like, come back and check on them, taking new photos/sketches if you want, but recording the actual order as best you can. How close were your guesses? If you challenged a friend, who was closest?
If you think it will outlive you, find someone to inherit the task.
~
P.S. I’d love to see what you find, and you may want to record your findings for your future self anyway. Use the social media hashtag #BeforeTheyreGone for things you find (including the order in which you think they’ll go), and #AfterTheyreGone for things that aren’t there anymore.
–droqen
About Tiny Games
Six designers have created games that can be played throughout the Play Path, ranging from contemplative interactive challenges to role-playing, rituals, and more! The games take the form of ground vinyl prompts, with longer instructions online that can be accessed using the QR code or URL. Visitors can read these installations and play the games on the spot at any time, finding new, playful ways to experience the trails, nooks, and architecture that make up the city.
Tiny Games was inspired by the 2011 project of the same name by Hide&Seek. You can learn more about it here.
About the Artist
Droqen is an ADHD-saturated game designer who’s spent 25 years honing the craft of using his brain to make computer games, video games, card games, street games, word games, tabletop games, regular games, zines, and little tiny worlds made of pixel art.
Plan Your Play Walk
Locations
Installations
- Dream Street by The Street Society
- Walk Walk Dance by Daily tous les jours
- Big Red by Assemble
- Double Dribble by Esmaa Mohamoud
- Nil:Nil by Studio F Minus
- Play Public by Thomas Mailaender & Erik Kessels
- Jax by Pierre Poussin
- Midsummer Mix Vol.1 by Nelson Wu & biosphere
Tiny Games
- Find Jimmy! by Kris Piotrowski
- Before They’re Gone by Droqen
- A Serpent Slumbers by Allison Cole
- Dance Anatomy by Alicia Payne
- The Garrison and the Gardiner by Kaelan Doyle Myerscough
- Secret Landscape by Diana Andrea Guzmán Valencia
Bike Shares
Twelve locations throughout the Play Path and neighbouring spaces
Landmarks
- The Bentway
- Fort York National Historic Site
- Garrison Crossing
- The Bentway Studio & Canoe Landing Community Recreation Centre
- Canoe Landing Park
- Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre
Land Acknowledgement
As an organization dedicated to the creation of shared and inclusive public space, we acknowledge that our work takes place on the treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat, the Haudenosaunee, the Métis, and many other Indigenous nations.
Tkaronto, “the place in the water where the trees are standing”, is now home to many diverse Indigenous people. We recognize them as the past, present and future caretakers of this land. We would like to pay our respects to all who have gathered and will continue to gather in this place. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work together to care for The Bentway lands and act as stewards of the space.
Transportation
By TTC
- 511 Bathurst (at Fort York Blvd)
- 509 Harbourfront (at Fleet St.)
- 121 Fort York-Esplanade at Gzowski Blvd (westbound) or Bastion St (eastbound)
By Bike
Use Bike Share Toronto’s System Map or download PBSC Urban Solutions or Transit app to locate stations and plan your route with real-time bike and station availability. Closest stations to The Bentway: Fort York Blvd/Garrison Rd, Fort York Blvd. (in front of Fort York Visitor Centre), Strachan Ave/Princes’ Blvd, Fort York Blvd/Bathurst St.
Bike racks are also located on-site.
Parking
Paid parking is available at 800 Fleet Street (also accessible from Strachan Avenue, north of Fleet Street) and at the Fort York Visitor Centre (250 Fort York Boulevard).
Washrooms
As of June 11, 2021 our washroom facilities are open from 10am – 7:30pm daily. Face coverings are required. Gender-neutral washroom(s) available.
Free WiFi
Free Wi-Fi is provided by Beanfield. Sign onto Beanfield1hfree and get one free hour of WiFi at The Bentway.