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Exclusive Events Restrict Public Access to Cherished Toronto Oasis
3 Aug
Summary
- Residents denied entry to public courtyard during private events
- Noise and disruption from events impact nearby residents
- City investigating unauthorized use of the publicly accessible space
As of August 3rd, 2025, a public courtyard in Toronto's St. Clair West neighborhood has become the subject of an ongoing dispute between local residents and a private business. The courtyard, located next to a 113-year-old church, is designated as a POPS (Privately-Owned, Publicly-Accessible Space) and is meant to be a peaceful oasis for the community.
However, residents claim that a local event venue business called The Imperial Toronto has been using the courtyard to host private events, effectively denying public access to the space. Nearby residents have reported incidents where they were turned away from the courtyard during these events, and have also complained about the noise and disruption caused by the gatherings.
The city of Toronto has been aware of the situation since May 2025 and has been working to educate The Imperial Toronto on the appropriate use of the POPS. City enforcement officers have been investigating the matter, and the city has stated that the use of the courtyard for private events is unauthorized.
The Imperial Toronto has denied preventing public access to the courtyard, but the city maintains that the business is not complying with the original agreement that designated the space as a public amenity. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges surrounding the management and use of POPS in Toronto, as the city aims to balance the needs of private developers with the public's right to access these spaces.
