You stand at the intersection of the Garrison Creek and the Gardiner Expressway. Together with a friend, roleplay a conversation between them.
First: choose who will play the Gardiner Expressway / Garrison Creek.
For the Garrison: You once flowed up Trinity Bellwoods, through Christie Pits all the way to St. Clair. You’ve been buried for a century, but destroying a river isn’t easy. You return during storms; as water levels rise, you become powerful again.
You have been gone too long. You are (pick one):
- Furious
- Dismayed
- Disoriented
What do you say when you first awaken?
What did it look like when you were last here?
What do you miss?
For the Gardiner: Your construction demolished neighbourhoods and paved over parks. Now, you carry commuters and stand between the city and the water. The view from atop you is beautiful, but people can only admire it when stuck in traffic.
All you do every day is watch construction and listen to car radios. You are (pick one):
- Bored
- Serene
- Resentful
Catch the Garrison up on what it has missed.
Together: Take turns describing your surroundings: construction sites, animals, or objects that feel out of place.
Soon, the Garrison will flood this place. Do you want to destroy these things? Preserve them? Create something new?
How does the Gardiner feel about this? Find one thing you agree on.
How would things be different, if you were not built or buried?
You get along like old friends, but you know that one day the Garrison will wash away the Gardiner. Do not acknowledge this until you leave.
When you leave: Thank the Garrison and Gardiner, or apologize (your choice).
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
Kaelan Doyle Myerscough is a trans/nonbinary critical creator, game designer and academic interested in the theory and praxis of worldbuilding. They make games and organize game jams about speculation, complex collaboration and rethinking the relationship between play and locality. As of Spring 2021, they are currently co-authoring a textbook on critical worldbuilding and remotely pursuing a PhD in Cinema and Media Studies at the University of Chicago.
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.