Toronto Ontario Line 3 | ?m | ?s | Metrolinx

I knew K/B and Q/S station names are temporary, but didn't know of the other 2, or that Metrolinx (of all people!) were actually inviting input from the public. That's good! I would like to see avoidance of double-name stations, even though we have had many of them in the 2 recently opened lines. I don't know why Corktown is being reconsidered, unless they think it sounds too whimsical or colloquial. I like it, but I don't live in the area, and it should be up to local residents.
 
A 6264 said:
I knew K/B and Q/S station names are temporary, but didn't know of the other 2, or that Metrolinx (of all people!) were actually inviting input from the public. That's good! I would like to see avoidance of double-name stations, even though we have had many of them in the 2 recently opened lines. I don't know why Corktown is being reconsidered, unless they think it sounds too whimsical or colloquial. I like it, but I don't live in the area, and it should be up to local residents.
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The issues with Corktown are probably (a) relatively low name-recognition, (b) the station isn't really in Corktown, and (c) there are sensible and more-recognizable options such as Parliament (the station is basically at the first parliament building for Upper Canada) and Distillery (District).

Probably won't happen, but I wish they would consider renaming East Harbour to Sunlight Park, recalling the baseball stadium that used to be nearby and the soap from the Unilever factory. The name "East Harbour" always seemed like First Gulf branding that didn't really make a lot of sense, is not a well-established placename in Toronto, and is susceptible to confusion with West Harbour GO in Hamilton.
 
StreetcarRider said:
The issues with Corktown are probably (a) relatively low name-recognition, (b) the station isn't really in Corktown, and (c) there are sensible and more-recognizable options such as Parliament (the station is basically at the first parliament building for Upper Canada) and Distillery (District).

Probably won't happen, but I wish they would consider renaming East Harbour to Sunlight Park, recalling the baseball stadium that used to be nearby and the soap from the Unilever factory. The name "East Harbour" always seemed like First Gulf branding that didn't really make a lot of sense, is not a well-established placename in Toronto, and is susceptible to confusion with West Harbour GO in Hamilton.
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Re. your other names for Corktown, Parliament could be confused with Queen's Park, and Distillery might have "boozy" connotations. I'm surprised the latter is so widely promoted as a name for the neighbourhood. If Corktown is not a widely known name, it probably will be if the station is given that name. As for it not actually being in Corktown, when has that ever been a problem!

Last minute thought: If Corktown is considered acceptable, what about Cabbagetown? That name is widely recognized!

I agree with changing the name of East Harbour. Besides being rather generic, it sounds like an industrial dock area, not a residential community.
 
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Anyway, I've also been thinking of what to call the other stations that might be renamed. Let's brainstorm.

Remember Quality Meat Packing on Tecumseh? King/Bathurst could be Hogtown, or Abattoir! Or Wheat Sheaf for the bar on the corner, operating continuously since 1849. But we'll probably get Fort York, assuming lots of school trips go there.

For Riverside/Leslieville, personally I think they should use Leslieville for the stop on Queen because it's the more established neighbourhood name. Riverside strikes me as newer and possibly made up by real estate agents. Toronto has a lot of rivers, so Riverside is not especially helpful in navigating. Also, Riverside is another possible name for East Harbour, although my preference remains Sunlight Park.

As for Queen/Spadina, I hope they just call it Queen West. This area is famous and Queen West has been its name for decades.

Regarding Corktown, another reasonable and unique option would be Esplanade. Both the Globe & Mail and the Toronto Sun are located beside the new station, so Media City would be a creative option. Cabbagetown is located north of Gerrard, so it's a bit of a stretch for a station that straddles Front St., but it would be a reasonable rename for Castle Frank.
 
StreetcarRider said:
Anyway, I've also been thinking of what to call the other stations that might be renamed. Let's brainstorm.

Remember Quality Meat Packing on Tecumseh? King/Bathurst could be Hogtown, or Abattoir! Or Wheat Sheaf for the bar on the corner, operating continuously since 1849. But we'll probably get Fort York, assuming lots of school trips go there.

For Riverside/Leslieville, personally I think they should use Leslieville for the stop on Queen because it's the more established neighbourhood name. Riverside strikes me as newer and possibly made up by real estate agents. Toronto has a lot of rivers, so Riverside is not especially helpful in navigating. Also, Riverside is another possible name for East Harbour, although my preference remains Sunlight Park.

As for Queen/Spadina, I hope they just call it Queen West. This area is famous and Queen West has been its name for decades.

Regarding Corktown, another reasonable and unique option would be Esplanade. Both the Globe & Mail and the Toronto Sun are located beside the new station, so Media City would be a creative option. Cabbagetown is located north of Gerrard, so it's a bit of a stretch for a station that straddles Front St., but it would be a reasonable rename for Castle Frank.
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I'm sold by your appeal for Leslieville and Queen West. Sunlight Park is also fun and there's a future argument that a park be remade there which includes one of those historic plaques to explain about ye old baseball stadium. For the others:

The country’s first large-scale hog slaughtering facility that earned Toronto the nickname "Hogtown" was on Front Street East near the Don River, so I'd rather not give it to King-Bathurst. Wheat Sheaf is too specific perhaps while Fort York somewhat makes sense for tourism reasons, but maybe we need to keep brainstorming this one.

I call the area around the planned Corktown station either Corktown or Canary so I'd be fine with either of those names. I might even lean more towards Canary because suddenly all the bird-named businesses in the area would make sense to a tourist and Toronto could use the hint of whimsy. On the other hand, Corktown Common is becoming a bit of a destination in that general area, so I'm ok with it. I think of "The Esplanade" as being further west, so would not vote for that.

I would absolutely NOT want to rename Castle Frank! I tell the story (urban legend?) behind how that station got its name all the time!
 
Natika33 said:
I call the area around the planned Corktown station either Corktown or Canary so I'd be fine with either of those names. I might even lean more towards Canary because suddenly all the bird-named businesses in the area would make sense to a tourist and Toronto could use the hint of whimsy. On the other hand, Corktown Common is becoming a bit of a destination in that general area, so I'm ok with it. I think of "The Esplanade" as being further west, so would not vote for that.
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I like the name First Parliament for Corktown station, as it is the site of Upper Canada's first parliament building; the one the Americans burnt. Parliament Street is the Western boundary of Corktown, so it doesn't make sense to name it Corktown station since its a block West of Corktown. Canary to me is much further East; closer to East Harbour station than this station. Technically it's located on the North Eastern corner of the St Lawrence Neighbourhood, so we could also go with St Lawrence Station.
 
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A 6264 said:
Re. your other names for Corktown, Parliament could be confused with Queen's Park, and Distillery might have "boozy" connotations. I'm surprised the latter is so widely promoted as a name for the neighbourhood. If Corktown is not a widely known name, it probably will be if the station is given that name. As for it not actually being in Corktown, when has that ever been a problem!

Last minute thought: If Corktown is considered acceptable, what about Cabbagetown? That name is widely recognized!

I agree with changing the name of East Harbour. Besides being rather generic, it sounds like an industrial dock area, not a residential community.
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The station is not in Corktown (thought it is adjacent to it). It is certainly not in Cabbagetown or even very close to it. I would call it First Parliament myself but suspect that 'that boat has sailed' and we had best get used to Corktown before Mr Ford wants it named after one of his heroes (his dad, his drug addicted brother or ???)
 
It's a bad idea for me to wade into the station names debate, but it's the weekend. So, here goes... 🤪

Rename Corktown to King East Station. King Street ends one kilometre east of the station, with no possibility of being extended. Forget about picking one somewhat known neighbourhood name over another.

Rename East Harbour Station to Lower Don River Station. The station is not near any harbour, let alone an "east" one. But, the station is directly beside the river, after crossing it.

Queen-Spadina, King-Bathurst - I would name these Queen West Station, and King West Station, at least until the alignment of Ontario Line West is designed and funded. Eglinton West worked as a station name for decades, until Line 5 opened. And, somehow Eglinton Station is still Eglinton, even with Line 5. So, I don't think we need to force anything.

Riverside-Leslieville could be Jimmie Simpson Park Station, if there is any controversy with this one. The park and recreation centre is notable enough as a destination in that area of town.

Gerrard Station, in my opinion, should really be Gerrard East Station. If it was on Line 1, fine. But it is at Carlaw and Gerrard Street East, east of the Don River.
 
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So, the BMW dealership by the Eastern Transit Hub has officially moved...

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Why is this relevant? Because their parking lot is practically empty now and... well... since it's not blocked off (yet) and it goes right up against the new bridge...

I took full advantage of the situation...

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