Toronto finally changes off-putting 'sewage' name for local park

A Toronto playground named after a building that cleans poop from water has been renamed, and this one might not cause as much controversy as renamed landmarks like Sankofa Square and TMU Station.

City Council voted last week to rename the outdoor space, previously known by the perplexingly on-the-nose title of "Main Sewage Treatment Playground," to the much less smelly-sounding "Ashbridge's Bay Sports Hub."

The "urgent" motion from councillor Paula Fletcher, seconded by Mayor Olivia Chow, titled 'Renaming Main Sewage Treatment Playground to Ashbridge's Bay Sports Hub' was adopted on July 30 during the final City Council meeting of 2026, carrying by a show of hands.

Councillor Paula Fletcher's motion to rename the Main Sewage Treatment Playground to "Ashbridge’s Bay Sports Hub" CARRIES via show of hands.

Wait, what was wrong with the old name. https://t.co/cSheAiAynV

— Matt Elliott (@GraphicMatt) July 30, 2026

The 11.2-hectare park in question is located at Eastern and Emdaabimok avenues, and offers a number of sports-related amenities including pickleball courts, basketball courts, a rugby field, a baseball diamond and a skatepark.

The successful motion argued that "The new name should be reflective of the area and the great wide-range facilities available," which is, at the very least, a very diplomatic way of suggesting that maybe we shouldn't have a playground with the word "sewage" in its name.

Fletcher argued the urgency of the motion being heard before the close of this year's final council session was due to "The recent opening of the new pickleball courts," which "has highlighted the fact that the current name is unfamiliar to most residents and creates confusion. Clarity is needed for planned events including tournaments."

Here's hoping that's the last time we hear "urgent" and "sewage" uttered in the same sentence in a City Council meeting, or anywhere else for that matter.