Monday, July 21, 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) today welcomed hundreds of visitors to Toronto’s newest island, Ookwemin Minising, to celebrate the opening of the island’s marquee attraction, Biidaasige Park.
“Biidaasige Park is a prime example of what we can build when we work together,” said Dabrusin. “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.”
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.
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.
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.
“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,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. “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.”
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.
Through tri-government investment, the Port Lands Flood Protection project protects 174 hectares of land in the Port Lands and eastern waterfront from flooding. Credit: City of Toronto/Instagram.
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 green space 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,” said Ogiima Kwe Chief Claire Sault, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
“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.”
The park is opening in two phases. Approximately 50 acres/20 hectares of parkland opened on July 18, 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.
Learn more about this park and the community activities on the City’s website: toronto.ca/BiidaasigePark.
Featured image, from left to right: Amarjot Sandhu, Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Minister of Infrastructure; Maggie Chi, Member of Parliament for Don Valley North; George Zegarac, President and CEO of Waterfront Toronto; Laura Solano, Partner at MVVA; Kevin Sullivan, Chair of Waterfront Toronto’s Board of Directors; Ogiima Kwe Chief Claire Sault, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation; Toronto Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik; Jennifer McKelvie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure; The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth; Leslie Church, Member of Parliament for Toronto-St.Paul’s; Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow; Rob Oliphant, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West; Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth); Councillor Dianne Saxe (University-Rosedale); Julie Dzerowicz, Member of Parliament for Davenport. Credit: WaterfrontToronto.
