Biidaasige Park expands with new art trail, waterfront promenade, and heritage crane
Toronto's 50-acre Port Lands park is adding 10 acres this summer, featuring the Lassonde Art Trail with 15 interconnected public art sites and restored heritage infrastructure.
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Biidaasige Park, the once-in-a-generation 50-acre park that officially opened last July near Cherry Street on the artificial island of Ookwemin Minising, is expanding by 10 acres this summer with a curated art trail, waterfront promenade, and restored heritage infrastructure.
The Lassonde Art Trail, a key feature of the expansion, is a series of 15 interconnected public art sites spanning 4.2 kilometres of paths along the waterfront. Seven sculptures were unveiled in June, with the next section anticipated to open in late July. The new waterfront promenade, built on the former Marine Terminal 35 site, offers views of the Inner Harbour, Toronto Islands, and the city's skyline.
The expansion also features the restored Atlas Crane, a heavy-duty crane originally installed in 1961 that was used for loading and unloading cargo, including old TTC streetcars. The crane has been designated a heritage structure and will be lit at night to serve as a wayfinding element. Anti-climbing paint has been applied to discourage visitors from scaling it.
Biidaasige Park (pronounced "bee-daw-si-geh"), whose name translates to "sunlight shining toward us" in Anishinaabemowin, already features the city's first ziplines, animal sculptures representing Anishinaabe, Ongwehonwe, and Huron dodems, the Badlands Scramble play area, cycling paths, and two dog-off-leash areas.
The city plans to expand the park further. Biidaasige Park North, located at the northwest corner of Ookwemin Minising, is expected to open in 2028 with a skating trail, new lookout, washrooms, water access, event infrastructure, and the landing point of the Keating Equinox Bridge.
