Last weekend, my wife and I set out on our bikes from the Woodbine Corridor to explore the newly opened Biidaasige “Bee·daw·si·geh” Park in Toronto’s Port Lands. The design and atmosphere left a lasting impression. It’s a stunning, thoughtfully designed green space that brings nature, culture, and community right into the city.
Phase 1 of the park officially opened in July 2025, covering approximately 50 acres along the new mouth of the Don River. The final Phase 2 — including more public art and expanded trails — is expected to open in 2026, completing this transformative project.
Already, the park is packed with creative, culturally rich features like:
- Play structures inspired by dodem animal spirits
- Mock beaver dams
- The Snowy Owl Theatre
- Badlands Scramble
- Rewilded wetland-style landscapes
It’s all part of a broader flood-protection project that also includes a manufactured river, designed not only for resilience but for paddle boarding, canoeing, and kayaking — a new way to enjoy Toronto’s waterfront.
We especially loved the dedicated biking and walking paths, which are fully separated for safety and ease. After taking in the park, we followed the bike lanes over to the St. Lawrence Market, where we picked up some fresh meat and vegetables for dinner. Then, on the way back, we stopped in the Distillery District for a relaxing drink and snacks on a sunny patio. It was a perfect Toronto day.
In case you’re curious:
- Biidaasige means “sunlight shining towards us”
- Ookwemin Minising, the land it sits on, means “place of the black cherry trees” — names chosen in collaboration with Indigenous partners to honour language and placekeeping traditions.
Toronto, you’ve outdone yourself.
Summary Snapshot
| Project / Area | Vision / Timeline |
|---|---|
| Port Lands Master Plan | 50-year transformation into mixed-use, green neighbourhoods (ongoing) |
| McCleary District | Mixed-use, transit-oriented hub with affordable housing (planning ongoing) |
| Ookwemin Minising (Villiers Isl.) | Future community for several thousand residents, with parks and promenade access |
| PIC Districts | Creative/media production zones with pedestrian-oriented design |
| 115 Saulter St. S. Development | 40–45‑storey towers + studios, retail & bike infrastructure (proposal stage) |