A sprawling open-air art trail is about to transform Toronto’s shoreline – and it’s the first of its kind in Canada.
Starting this June, the Lassonde Art Trail (LAT) will officially be unveiled to the public, inviting locals to explore a curated path of stunning contemporary art. This trail is part of an ambitious $1.4 billion project to reroute the mouth of the Don River, a feat of bioengineering that has literally redrawn the map of the city.
The project involved creating a brand-new island in the city harbour called Ookwemin Minising. What was once contaminated industrial land has been cleaned and restored into a lush, 62-acre oasis. This new river valley features functional wetlands and habitats designed for Indigenous plants and animals to thrive, while also providing critical flood protection for downtown Toronto.
The vision for a contemporary art trail was initially part of Waterfront Toronto’s master plans, but it was a “transformational” $25 million gift from philanthropist Pierre Lassonde that truly brought it to life.
What To Expect On The Trail
The trail is designed to be a dynamic, evolving experience rather than a static gallery. While the full vision will continue to unfold in stages through 2026, visitors can soon begin exploring the intersection of nature and high-concept art as early as June 4.
$10 million of the gift was dedicated to two permanent destination artworks that will eventually be gifted to the City of Toronto’s Public Art and Monuments Collection. The trail will also host a rotating cycle of contemporary pieces from local, national, and international artists, ensuring there is always something new to see. Finally, a $15 million challenge fund was established to ensure the trail remains a free, well-managed public resource for years to come.
The Lassonde Art Trail will be completely free to the public; part of a mission to make world-class art accessible to everyone. As a non-profit charitable organization, LAT is currently working to match funds and cement its status as a premier global art destination.
You can find more information on the project and upcoming installations on the Lassonde Art Trail website.
