Toronto has opened another 10 acres of Biidaasige Park, expanding the city’s newest waterfront destination along Lake Ontario and the restored Don River.
Credit: Waterfront Toronto
The western section adds parkland nearly the size of the Rogers Centre building and five times larger than Sugar Beach. Combined with areas opened in 2025, the park now covers about 60 acres, with another five acres still planned.
Visitors can launch non-motorized watercraft from Canoe Cove, walk along more than 250 metres of the Water’s Edge Promenade or gather on an event lawn built for 3,000 people. An elevated viewpoint also provides broad views of Toronto’s harbour and skyline.
The expansion preserves parts of the area’s industrial past, including the 300-ton Atlas Crane, installed in 1961 and retired in the 2000s.
Art is woven into the landscape as well. The four-kilometre Lassonde Art Trail now includes 15 installations across the park. Seven works are featured in the western section, with sculptures by Kent Monkman and Monira Al Qadiri expected this fall.
The park forms part of the $1.4-billion Port Lands Flood Protection project, jointly funded by the federal, provincial and municipal governments. The work protects 174 hectares from extreme flooding while creating wetlands, naturalized shorelines and space for future neighbourhoods.
More than one million plants and roughly 5,000 trees have been introduced across the broader site. Early monitoring has recorded growing bird and pollinator activity, including Great Blue Herons and Razorbills.
The name Biidaasige, pronounced “Bee-daw-si-geh,” means “sunlight shining toward us” in Anishinaabemowin. Indigenous design, language and placekeeping features are incorporated throughout the park.
Things to See and Do at Biidaasige Park
Credit: Waterfront Toronto
- Experience restored nature: Walk among wetlands, native planting areas and naturalized shorelines created using more than one million plants and approximately 5,000 trees. Birds and pollinators are already returning, including Great Blue Herons and Razorbills.
- Walk the Water’s Edge Promenade: Follow the waterfront path at the western edge of Ookwemin Minising, built on the former Marine Terminal 35 site. The promenade offers views of the Inner Harbour, Toronto Islands and city skyline while connecting with the park’s wider trail system.
- Take in the viewpoints: Outlooks throughout the park provide views of the renaturalized Don River, Toronto skyline, Lower Don Lands, Inner Harbour and Toronto Island Park. Visitors can also look across the Port Lands toward Cherry Beach, Clarke Beach Park and Tommy Thompson Park.
- Explore the Lassonde Art Trail: Discover 15 public art installations placed throughout the park. The trail combines internationally recognized artworks with the surrounding river, waterfront and natural landscape.
- Discover Indigenous plantings: Look for Sacred Tobacco, White Sagebrush, Staghorn Sumac, Black Cherry, Sweet Grass and St. John’s Wort. Selected with Indigenous communities, the plants reflect the area’s ecology and include species with cultural and medicinal significance.
- Paddle from Canoe Cove: Launch a canoe, kayak or other non-motorized watercraft from the pebble landing and explore the new stretch of the Don River. Several additional landing areas are located on both sides of the river.
- Find the marker trees: These specially grown trees feature right-angle bends traditionally used to point toward trails, stream crossings and significant locations. They will be developed in partnership with Nikibii Dawadina Giigwag and the University of Toronto’s Daniels Faculty.
- Take a self-guided tour: Interpretive signage highlights the history of the Port Lands, the construction of Biidaasige Park and the area’s cultural, environmental and Indigenous significance.
- See the industrial landmarks: View the preserved 300-ton Atlas Crane and remaining elements of Marine Terminal 35, which recall the Port Lands’ industrial history.
- Play at the Snowy Owl Theatre: Children can perform on a stage built into the owl’s belly, experiment with drums and bells or communicate through a talk tube. The surrounding seating is designed to resemble a nest.
- Climb the Badlands Scramble: Inspired by Ontario’s Cheltenham Badlands, this 1,600-square-metre play area has three wavy levels and a water feature where children can work together to pump water down the slopes.
- Discover Dodem animal sculptures: Carved figures of a bear, beaver, eagle, turtle, otter, wolf and musky fish bring Indigenous stories and clan teachings into the play areas.
- Try the adventure features: Cableway Canyon includes 20-metre and 40-metre cableways. Other attractions include swings on Swing Hill and a mock beaver dam play area.
- Visit the off-leash areas: Two fenced dog areas cover 800 and 1,200 square metres. Both include seating, accessible pathways, water fountains, waste bins and K-9-rated artificial turf. Paw protection is recommended because of the park’s new asphalt.
- Join an outdoor yoga class: Practise movement and mindfulness surrounded by waterfront views and natural scenery. The outdoor classes are designed for beginners and experienced participants.
- Relax on the event lawn: Spend time on the open green space or attend public gatherings and performances. The lawn can accommodate up to 3,000 people.
How to get to Biidaasige Park:
- Main access points: The closest major intersection is Cherry Street and Commissioners Street. Use 39 Commissioners Street for Old Fire Hall 30 and nearby play areas, or 238 Cherry Street for the western section of the park.
- By foot or bicycle: The park connects to the Martin Goodman Trail and Lower Don Trail. Commissioners Street also has a sidewalk and bike path. Bicycle racks and Bike Share stations are available.
- By public transit: TTC route 114 Queen’s Quay East stops near Cherry and Commissioners streets. Route 72D Pape runs directly to the park on weekends and holidays from July 19 to September 1, 2025, between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
- By Wheel-Trans: Use code BIIDAAS-PK and 39 Commissioners Street for Fire Hall 30 and the play areas. Use code BIIDAAS-WE and 242 Cherry Street for the western entrance near the water shuttle dock.
- By water shuttle: The seasonal East-West Water Shuttle stops at Ookwemin Minising, 242 Cherry Street. Boats carry about 12 passengers, so advance booking and a backup travel plan are recommended.
- By canoe or kayak: Several landing areas are available on both sides of the river, with steps connecting to park paths. There is no on-site boat storage, and paddlers should be prepared for strong winds, waves and freighter traffic.
- By ride share: Use 11 Munition Street for pick-ups and drop-offs. Vehicles cannot stop on Commissioners Street.
- By car: Parking is limited. A temporary lot at 11 Munition Street has 120 spaces, with some street parking available on Old Cherry, Villiers and Munition streets.
Address: Biidaasige Park
51 Commissioners St, Toronto, ON M5A 1A6