TORONTO- Toronto’s waterfront has taken a big step forward with the recent addition of 10 new acres in the western part of Biidaasige Park.
As per Waterfront Toronto, guests can paddle from Canoe Cove, wander through a naturalized river valley, gather on a spacious lawn that accommodates 3,000 people, enjoy stunning views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline from the Water’s Edge Promenade, and explore the Lassonde Art Trail, which now showcases 15 installations by prominent international artists throughout the park.
This project is part of Waterfront Toronto’s Port Lands Flood Protection (PLFP) initiative Port Lands Flood Protection and Enabling Infrastructure – Villiers Island Status Under Construction Value$80MLocation Toronto ON M6R 2L2Sector Public – City Type Water/Sewer Data as of July 29, 2026View Project Page →, funded by a $1.4 billion investment shared among three levels of government: over $465 million from the Government of Canada, more than $471 million from the Government of Ontario, and over $471 million from the City of Toronto.
The expansion adds nearly as much parkland as that occupied by the Rogers Centre building and is five times larger than Sugar Beach in Toronto. The areas of Biidaasige Park opened in 2025 and 2026 add up to around 60 acres total, with an extra five acres still on its way.
Once completed, Biidaasige Park will be more than double the size of Chicago’s Millennium Park.
Additional public features include:
The Atlas Crane, a preserved marine cargo crane weighing 300 tons that was installed in 1961 and decommissioned in the early 2000s; along with elements from Marine Terminal 35. Planned Indigenous design elements like a Fire Holder feature and Teaching Signifier Sturgeon Stones – both crafted by Solomon King and Brook Mc Illroy. It also features Directional Compasses/Marker Trees designed by Two Row Architect along with Interpretive Signage created by NVision Insight Group.
The lead design for this project was carried out by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc., who spent close to two decades planning and developing Biidaasige Park, according to Waterfront Toronto.
The PLFP initiative included various components; one significant highlight is a new island formed through flood protection measures known as Ookwemin Minising RFPQ (Qualifications) for a Developer – Ookwemin Minising Block A Development Opportunity Status Conceptual Value$10MLocation Ookwemin St, Toronto ONSector Public – State/Provincial Type Multi-Residential · New Construction Data as of July 29, 2026View Project Page →.
This area will develop into a green neighborhood surrounded by Biidaasige Park. Over the next quarter-century, Ookwemin Minising aims to provide homes for about 21,000 people while creating jobs for approximately 2,900 individuals.
Recently, Waterfront Toronto issued a Request for Qualifications to find a building partner for constructing the first set of 700 homes on this island.
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