Canada’s largest new park in a generation has officially opened in Toronto’s Port Lands. But Biidaasige Park is more than just a new green space. It is a milestone in Indigenous partnership, climate adaptation and city-building that has been nearly two decades in the making.
Spanning 20 hectares (50 acres), Biidaasige Park welcomed its first visitors over the weekend of July 19 and 20, 2025. Located on the city’s newly created island, Ookwemin Minising — Ojibwemowin for “the place of black cherry trees” — the park sits atop land formed through a massive flood protection and ecological restoration effort.
The name Biidaasige means “sunlight shining toward us” in Anishinaabemowin, and it speaks directly to the park’s core purpose: To bring life, light and connection back to a part of Toronto that has long been inaccessible.
A $1.4-billion vision takes root
The park is the most visible result of the Port Lands Flood Protection Project, a $1.4-billion tri-government investment to reroute the Don River, reduce flood risk to 174 hectares of land and restore habitat along the city’s eastern waterfront. Ground was broken in 2017: Eight years later, residents now have access to a fully realized public park built to serve both the environment and the community.
“This is a historic day for Torontonians,” said Mayor Olivia Chow at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Biidaasige Park is a triumph of collaboration, vision and reconciliation.”
According to Waterfront Toronto CEO, George Zegarac, the project unlocks not only greenspace but also long-term city-building opportunities, including flood protection for major infrastructure and the foundation for more than 9,000 homes and 15,000 new residents.
A place to play, gather and reflect
The park offers a diverse mix of naturalized landscapes, modern play features and Indigenous cultural elements. Among the highlights:
- Walking and cycling trails
- Canoe and kayak launch slips
- Toronto’s first zip lines in a city park
- A large water-play area known as the “Badlands Scramble”
- Animal sculptures representing Anishinaabe, Ongwehonwe and Huron dodems (clans)
- A Snowy Owl amphitheatre for children
- Off-leash dog zones and terraced picnic areas
The city planted more than 5,000 trees, 77,000 shrubs and over two million grasses and flowering plants throughout the space, according to Ontario Construction News.
“The result is one of the most ambitious and ecologically conscious parks Toronto has ever built,” Over Here Toronto said in a preview of the site.
Honouring Indigenous leadership
Biidaasige Park is also a model of Indigenous placekeeping. From its naming and artwork to ceremonial spaces and interpretive elements, the park integrates Indigenous worldviews and knowledge from the ground up.
“The opening of Biidaasige Park … is a profound moment of renewal — not just for land and water, but for the relationships that continue to grow here,” Chief Claire Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation said in a public statement. “This project honours the spirit of Biidaasige, ‘the one who brings the light.’”
The naming of the island and park was guided by the Indigenous Advisory Circle — a group of Elders, leaders and knowledge keepers who helped shape the space’s identity and stewardship values.
The future is taking shape on Toronto’s waterfront
If you’re paying attention to Toronto’s housing market, Biidaasige Park deserves a spot on your radar. Yes, it’s a public green space, but it also marks a deeper shift in how the city is investing in livability, climate infrastructure and long-term growth.
This park sits at the heart of the Port Lands, one of the largest waterfront redevelopments in North America. With flood protection now in place — something this area lacked just a decade ago — the land has become buildable, valuable and increasingly sought after. Over 100,000 new residents are expected in the surrounding district, along with nearly 3,000 new jobs.
Urban planners call this kind of transformation a model for smart public spending: the kind that delivers both community benefits and economic returns. As noted by Julie Dabrusin, Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, "Biidaasige Park is a prime example of what we can build when we work together…we’ve transformed the waterfront, ensured critical flood protection for residents, and laid the foundation for future housing and public spaces for the community."
But beyond the numbers, Biidaasige Park offers something instantly tangible: a place to walk along the water, breathe deeply and reconnect with the land. From its Indigenous name, to its sweeping views of the skyline and thoughtful public art, the park invites visitors to slow down and feel part of something larger, whether you live nearby or are just passing through.
What’s next for Biidaasige Park
This summer’s opening covers 50 of the more than 60 total acres of planned parkland. More features will arrive in 2026, including the Lassonde Art Trail, new cultural gathering spaces and additional overlooks and seating areas.
For now, Biidaasige Park is open to the public year-round. Admission is free, and residents are encouraged to explore the island by foot, bike or paddle.
Sources
1. Waterfront Toronto: Largest Park in a Generation Opens on City of Toronto’s New Island through Transformative Port Lands Flood Protection Project (July 18, 2025)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.