We thought it was time to get ourselves over to the new Biidaasigepark.
This is Toronto’s newest and largest public park with the official opening of phase 1 this past July.
It is located on the exciting, newly created island of Ookwemin Minising in the city’s Portlands district.
Woah. 98 Acres?
Part of a massive, $1.4 billion flood protection and waterfront revitalization project that redirected and naturalized the mouth of the Don River. This transformed a flood-prone, industrial land into an expansive greenspace and ecosystem; 98 acres of unused waterfront.
Wow! Another World Record for Toronto!
In fact, it’s the largest underdeveloped downtown waterfront in North America and also this continent’s biggest urban redevelopment project, It ranks among the most ambitious waterfront revitalizations ever attempted in the world.
And since this is just phase 1, we’re just getting started.
What Does Biidaasige Mean?
It means “sunlight shining toward us”.
What Should We Be Excited About?
For wildlife, We’ve created Microhabitats for their return to a protected and eco-friendly area The return of birds, fish and wildlife marks mother nature’s approval of the project. This includes 29 water species, woodpeckers, rabbits, muskrats, beavers, minks. Turtles and frogs too.
And For Us Humans?
- Cycling and walking trails, including a 5km loop around the river.
- The Snowy Owl Amphitheatre and climbing structure
- A vast playground with loads of fun features, including many playful animal structures to seek and discover
- Exploring spaces
- Toronto’s first public ziplines inside cableway canyon…one at 20m and the other at 40m
- Tons of other creatively built structures for kids’ imaginations
- BBQ pits inside Picnic areas for families to gather
These 50 acres are only phase one of the project, with 10 acres opening next year.
What is The Future Bringing?
Over 15,000 residents, 3,000 jobs, 9,000 housing units, a school, library, rec. centre and more.
So by redirecting the mouth of the Don River, Toronto reinvisioned a flooded industrial wasteland into a restored waterfront keeping up with our reputation as “a city within a park”.