Laneway coLabs 2025
Neighbourhood-led laneway revitalization in Toronto’s East End
In 2025, The Laneway Project piloted Laneway coLabs with two communities in Toronto’s East End. These projects tested a structured, community-led approach to laneway revitalization, combining co-design, local leadership, and small-scale interventions.
Across both sites, residents worked together over several months to reimagine their laneways as safer, more welcoming, and more connected public spaces.
Taylor Massey Laneway
This family-friendly laneway between Dentonia Park and Danforth Ave, was transformed into a vibrant community space shaped by local residents.
Through a hands-on co-design process, neighbours prioritized safety, play, and everyday use, resulting in a laneway that supports both connection and activity.
Key interventions included:
16 community-supported murals by K Tsoy
12 garden installations
Improved lighting for safety and visibility
Play areas designed for children
Riverside Laneway
Located in a mixed-use area between Queen St E and Joel Weeks Park, this project focused on improving safety, visibility, and identity in a laneway shared by residents and local businesses.
Key interventions included:
Lighting upgrades to improve visibility
Three community-supported murals by Julia Prajza
Coordinated stewardship between businesses and residents
Impact
Across both projects, Laneway coLabs 2025 contributed to:
Increased neighbour-to-neighbour connection
Improved perceptions of safety and comfort
New opportunities for community use and gathering
Early examples of community-led stewardship in laneways