Courtyards Community Website

BIO-Karl Frank, BLA, OALA, CLSA Emeritus

Building mini stone castles was my favoured
pastime at an early age, hence my leanings
for the built environment. Trained in archi-
tecture, urban design and planning I found
my favourite subject in Landscape Architecture
and became the first graduate Landscape
Architect at U of T in1969. This greatly
influenced the way of looking at the man-made
world and trying to make it better.

My career was in private practice; from 1962-66 with Sasaki, Strong Associates, Landscape Architects & Planners ( EXPO 67 ) and from 1957-1998 and with Project Planning Associates - the Multidisciplinary firm of Macklin Hancock ( the creator of Don Mills) working on a myriad of projects in Ontario, Canada and Overseas. Teaching at Humber College, Ryerson Institute of Technology and University of Toronto for a short period of time broadened my understanding of the built environment.

Still, very active in 1999 as a volunteer and later as VP of the Don Mills Residents Inc. with Cora Urbel as President. I was able to persuade Macklin Hancock to convey the Don Mills Story to the former Toronto Heritage Foundation that resulted in a Commemoration Plaque located at the MLH parkette. (NE corner of Don Mills Road and Lawrence Ave.E.)

Following retirement, my professional skills and knowledge were very
useful in applying to some ongoing urban re-development issues in
Toronto, mostly as a member of the (NYCPP) North York Community
Preservation Panel, whose mandate is to promote research and
recognize the cultural heritage of the North York District of the City of Toronto. I believe to have been very productive and influential in inputting and critiquing the various planning and development projects in the Don Mills area. My passion has been to ensure that plans and developments respect the natural and cultural built environment.

Karl Frank BLA, OALA CSLA Emeritus NYCPP, DMRI, LO.