Tuesday, July 22, 2025
The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth, Jennifer McKelvie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, Amarjot Sandhu, Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Minister of Infrastructure, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, and Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth) welcomed hundreds of visitors to Toronto’s newest island, Ookwemin Minising, to celebrate the opening of the island’s marquee attraction, Biidaasige Park. This event marked the beginning of a weekend filled with exploration and celebration as people of all ages are invited to experience the newly transformed Don River, and Biidaasige Park. Learn more about this park and the community activities on the City’s website: toronto.ca/BiidaasigePark.
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.
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.
This brand-new island and future waterfront community will offer visitors from across the city, region, and world an unparalleled new way to experience Toronto’s waterfront.
“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.
Next Step: New Housing and Destinations
A $1.4-billion tri-government investment has 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.
In January 2025, the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the City of Toronto agreed to contribute an additional $975 million ($325 million each under the tri-government model), to accelerate the development of new housing and destinations on Ookwemin Minising and along the waterfront at Quayside.
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.
About the City of Toronto’s newest Park
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 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.
The Port Lands Flood Protection Project is featured in the 2025 Top 50 Report. To learn more about the project and check out others featured in the Top 50, visit here.
