A sprawling new green oasis is expanding on Toronto’s eastern waterfront this summer, bringing ten additional acres of parkland, interactive art, and historic lookouts right to the edge of the lake.
Biidaasige Park officially opened to the public last summer of 2025, as part of the ambitious Port Lands Flood Protection project. It’s since become a favourite city escape, featuring a number of one-of-a-kind attractions like a giant explorable owl sculpture, dedicated barbecue spots, and two thrilling ziplines. Now, the upcoming launch of the park’s northwestern stretch will add another 10 acres of public space to explore.
The expansion is packed with new features that will give Torontonians plenty of reasons to head down to the water. Visitors can look forward to Canoe Cove, a dedicated waterfront haven designed entirely for non-motorized boats and paddling enthusiasts.
Art lovers will want to check out the Lassonde Art Trail which opened last month on June 4, a stunning four-kilometre walkway that treats visitors to free, immersive outdoor art installations winding through the river valley, leading up to a lookout point with panoramic views of downtown Toronto. There is also the Waterside Promenade, a highly scenic walkway tracing the eastern edge of Toronto’s bustling harbour.
Another must-see is the Atlas Crane, where visitors can get up close and personal with this decommissioned, 300-ton cargo crane, which served Marine Terminal 35 starting back in 1961. The historic Atlas Crane stands out as the park’s most unusual landmark, saved as a heritage structure and acting as one of the very last cranes of its kind remaining on the Great Lakes – a cool nod to the area’s industrial past.
The transformation of the former industrial zone is part of a massive $1.4-billion initiative to restore the mouth of the Don River and protect the eastern waterfront from severe flooding.
Getting to this expanding oasis has also become significantly easier this season. Commuters and explorers no longer have to rely solely on the cycling trails or nearby transit, thanks to a brand-new transit dock operating half-hourly shuttle boats. This water taxi service seamlessly links the foot of Yonge Street and Portland Street directly to the edge of Biidaasige Park.
You can check out the grand opening of the new northwestern section yourself when it officially unlocks for the public on July 25.
