Officially open!

The Arythmics band, stilt dancers, flag waver and hooper extraordinaire paraded the guests from the Ward's Island ferry docks to Willow Square, celebrating the installation of the restored Victorian-style Landing Stage and the completion of the Willow Square project. Thanks to the ongoing support of many Islanders and friends the space has been transformed from a garbage transfer site and parking lot into a community hub. It took a village to create a Square!

Waiting for the ferry

Parading to the Square

Some of the folks who helped make it happen

Bruce Smith told the story of the search for the original Landing Stage

Plenty of great food!

Thanking all the contributors

Warren Hoselton explained the restoration process

Come and Celebrate Sunday October 4, 2 p.m.!

We invite you to share in the celebration of the installation of the Landing Stage
at Willow Square, Ward’s Island.

Sunday October 4, 2015 at 2 p.m.

With the restoration of the Landing Stage and the completion of the gardens, benches
and a new sign, the development work is now complete.
Together we have accomplished much: It takes a village to create a Square!

Music • Refreshments • Entertainment

City guests can catch the 1:45 ferry to Ward’s Island
More information: 647-545-0829

It's finished!

We are very happy to announce the completion of the restoration and installation of the Victorian landing stage in Willow Square on Ward's Island. Thanks to the City of Toronto, Clifford Restoration, Stevens Burgess Architects and a lot of Islanders who never lost faith (although some of us ALMOST did), it was completed in time for the first snowfall of the season.
Photos by Jim Belisle

 Except for a few pieces cast to match by the restoration team, 

all the wrought iron is original from over 100 years ago

The wooden slat benches were incorporated with the restoration

A new 2' diameter pebble mosaic has been added

Getting closer

Allyson W got this shot yesterday of the new benches and the pavers going back in. 

Still no roof yet.

Day 2 of the installation

Starting the day

Adding the ridge beam

 Metal worker Jason McCann centring the first piece of scroll work

 Placing the (very heavy) peak scrolls

 Jason reproduced the pieces that were missing, matching the existing ones perfectly

The first time these restorers had seen a photo of the original Stage in situ

It's going up!

It's been a long wait between the pouring of the initial foundations, which were deemed insufficient for the task, the construction of the second foundations, and the raising of the structure of the Landing Stage. It is now going up, and a beautiful thing it is.

The Landing Stage in its original position at the Eastern Gap, Ward's Island

Bruce Smith, the man who found the pieces, and had the plan

 Positioning the supporting steel posts

Detail of one of the refurbished roof supports

 The roof supports going on

One of the benches

Landing Stage foundations are in!

The holes have been dug for the foundations and the concrete poured. They are now curing, in preparation for the installation of the restored Landing Stage at the end of next week. In case you missed it, here are a few photos.

The garden is looking fabulous, thanks to Grahame Beakhust.

The Landing Stage will be installed in the east end of the Square

Proper foundations!

They hit the water table

Digging deep

The uprights will bolt to this 

The Englars keeping an eye on things

They got it right

Topping up with concrete

South side of the garden