Monday, July 21, 2025
Waterfront Toronto welcomed hundreds of visitors to Toronto’s newest island, Ookwemin Minising, to celebrate the opening of the island’s marquee attraction, Biidaasige Park.
This is a landmark achievement in the $1.4-billion tri-government investment in flood protection and waterfront revitalization, including more than $465 million by the Government of Canada, more than $471 million by the Government of Ontario and more than $471 million by the City of Toronto.
“The opening of Biidaasige Park showcases the profound success of two decades of tri-government partnership. This park is not just a new way to experience the waterfront, it’s a vital piece of flood protection infrastructure that has unlocked more public access to water and space for new housing on a new island, Ookwemin Minising,” said George Zegarac, president and CEO, Waterfront Toronto.
This island, renaturalized Don River and park add to the host of waterfront destinations made possible by 20 years of tri-government investment in Toronto’s waterfront renewal. They offer immersive and adventurous areas to explore, joining the already iconic red, yellow, and orange bridges that make the new island a must-see destination.
“Biidaasige Park is a prime example of what we can build when we work together. What we’ve created is more than a park, we’ve transformed the Toronto waterfront, ensured critical flood protection for residents, and built the foundation for future housing and public spaces for the community. Our government is proud to support projects that reshape our cities and build stronger communities for generations to come,” said Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
The project enabled the flood protection and naturalization necessary to unlock the Port Lands for revitalization and development. By building a new, naturalized mouth for the Don River, this has unlocked vital space for future mixed-use neighbourhoods on Ookwemin Minising. As flood protection nears completion, the new island is ready to launch.
“Today is a historic day for Torontonians with the opening of Biidaasige Park – the largest park in a generation and a beautiful space along the city’s Eastern Waterfront. It is part of the revitalization of Toronto’s waterfront at Ookwemin Minising creating a city within a city with 14,000 new homes. Thanks to our partnership with the federal and provincial governments and Indigenous partners, we have advanced $2.4 billion to support this new community and advance Indigenous placekeeping in Toronto. Today’s opening of a new park and river are a significant first milestone,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.
At full buildout, it is estimated that Ookwemin Minising will be home to more than 15,000 residents, nearly 3,000 jobs, and an additional 15 acres of parkland to be developed in later phases. The island also offers new exciting places to explore and discover, all surrounded by water and verdant green space.
Biidaasige Park (pronounced “bee-daw-sih-geh” and meaning “sunlight shining toward us” in Anishinaabemowin/Ojibwemowin) is a sweeping greenspace that lines the new mouth of the Don River. This is the largest park to open in Toronto in a generation and the first public space to open on Ookwemin Minising. The park was built as part of an innovative approach to flood protection. Through tri-government investment, Port Lands Flood Protection project protects 174 hectares of land in the Port Lands and eastern waterfront from flooding.
“The opening of Biidaasige Park and the new Don River is a profound moment of renewal—not just for the land and water, but for the relationships that continue to grow here. We are proud to see Indigenous voices, teachings, and design woven into this landscape. This project honours the spirit of Biidaasige, ‘the one who brings the light,’ and reflects a shared commitment to restoring natural spaces while recognizing the deep, living connection Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation has to this territory,” said Ogiima Kwe Chief Claire Sault, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
The park is opening in two phases. Approximately 50 acres/20 hectares of parkland opened today, with an additional 10 acres/4 hectares set to open in 2026, along with the first-in-Canada Lassonde Art Trail.
Visitors to Biidaasige Park will discover an array of features designed for all ages and interests. Highlights of the 2025 opening include picnic areas, a vibrant playground featuring larger-than-life animal sculptures representing Anishinaabe, Ongwehonwe, and Huron dodems, Toronto’s first ziplines, and a recreation waterplay feature, the Badlands Scramble. The park also boasts recreational trails and cycling paths, including step-downs to the river for fishing and birdwatching, slips for non-motorized boats, and the Don Greenway wetland for birdwatching. Two dog off-leash areas and a pebble landing area for watercraft further enhance the visitor experience.
Biidaasige Park includes:
- 50+ acres/20 hectares of park with an additional 10 acres/4 hectares opening in 2026
- Picnic areas, playground with ziplines, Badlands Scramble, two dog off-leash areas and a pebble landing to launch non-motorized personal watercraft
- 5,000+ trees, 77,000+ shrubs and two-million herbaceous plants
- Accessible trails and facilities
The next phase of waterfront revitalization includes:
- Toronto’s Eastern Waterfront will ultimately be home to 100,000 people
- Next steps will accelerate the creation of over 14,000 new homes on public and private lands at Ookwemin Minising and Quayside, including affordable rental housing.
- Taken together, the development of Ookwemin Minising and Quayside is expected to create an estimated 100,000 skilled trades jobs and add $13.2 billion to the economy.
“With the completion of Biidaasige Park, we’re marking an incredible milestone in our plan to speed up the development of a new mixed-use community that will unlock 14,000 new homes, support 100,000 skilled trades jobs and add $13.2 billion to the economy. Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is delivering on our more than $200 billion plan to protect Ontario by building the infrastructure our province needs to keep workers on the job, support the tourism sector and drive economic growth,” said Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure.
Featured image: (L to R) Amarjot Sandhu, Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure; Maggie Chi, MP; George Zegarac, CEO, Waterfront Toronto; Laura Solano, partner MVVA; Kevin Sullivan, chair, Waterfront Toronto; Ogiima Kwe Chief Claire Sault, MCFN; Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik; Jennifer McKelvie, MP; Leslie Church, MP; Mayor Olivia Chow; Rob Oliphant, MP; Councillors Paula Fletcher, Dianne Saxe; and Julie Dzerowicz, MP. (CNW Group/Waterfront Toronto)
