Underpass Park before and after showing a rendering of the center block in the evening.

A derelict area beneath a series of overpasses in the West Don Lands is going to be transformed into an urban jewel.  Today Waterfront Toronto unveiled plans for Underpass Park, the most extensive park to ever be built under an overpass in Canada, and the first in Toronto.

Located within the West Don Lands – home to the 2015 Pan American Games Athletes’ Village – Underpass Park will cover a total of 1.05 hectares (2.5 acres) under and around the Eastern Avenue and Richmond/Adelaide overpasses, between Cherry Street and Bayview Avenue.

The overpasses transect the West Don Lands; the park will remove a psychological barrier by converting the derelict space beneath the ramps into a bright, new neighbourhood destination.  Residents of the soon-to-be-built housing developments in the north eastern section of the West Don Lands will have park space and safe beautiful connections to the rest of the neighbourhood.

“Underpass Park is a crucial step in delivering on our promise to revitalize the West Don Lands into Toronto’s next great neighbourhood.” said John Campbell, President and CEO of Waterfront Toronto. “Influenced by the massive overpass structures, the park’s design transforms the derelict and underused space into a bright, fully accessible urban neighbourhood amenity that will contribute to the success of the developments being built in the community.”

Designed by renowned landscape architects Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg in association with The Planning Partnership, Underpass Park embodies design excellence and is the epitome of innovative urban park design.  The design creates a socially-engaging park for community members of all ages and abilities by incorporating public art, recreational space, playful climbing structures and play areas, flexible community space, community gardens, and public gathering places.   

Underpass Park before and after showing a rendering of the western edge of the park featuring community gardens.

“Underpass Park is all about the community, the everyday, and creating ‘place’,” said Greg Smallenberg, Partner, Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg.  “The design takes full advantage of the existing site’s eccentricities and its free-for-the-taking weather protection, transforming something that might otherwise be incidental into a delightful urban patch.”

Public art will play a critical role in the design of Underpass Park.  When planning the overarching public art strategy for the West Don Lands, Underpass Park was identified as a high priority public art opportunity.  Late in 2009, Waterfront Toronto launched its first open artist competition.  The selected artist, Paul Raff of Toronto, is an award-winning artist and architect.

In keeping with Waterfront Toronto’s sustainable development approach, Underpass Park incorporates many sustainability best practices into the design.  The organization’s goal is to ensure that everything built on Toronto’s waterfront sets new standards for architecture and public space.

Some of the innovative and sustainable features include: repurposing reclaimed granite cobblestones excavated from Eastern Avenue into the community garden structures; using recycled rubber materials for the recreational court surfaces; planting more than 50 trees to beautify and naturalize the space, including between the existing ramps; utilizing energy efficient LED lighting and drought, salt and shade tolerant plantings for minimal maintenance and irrigation.

Construction of Underpass Park is slated to start in May 2010 and is another sign of the momentum and progress being made in the West Don Lands.  Construction of the area’s flood protection landform is nearing completion and work has begun on municipal servicing and preparing for new street construction.  Construction of the first affordable rental housing building by Toronto Community Housing is expected to start later this year.  The initial sales launch for River City – a LEED Gold, carbon-neutral development and the first private sector initiative in the West Don Lands – was hugely successful.  Construction is slated to begin this fall.  Don River Park, the seven hectare (17-acre) centrepiece of the community, is scheduled to break ground this summer.

The Pan Am Games Athletes’ Village in the West Don Lands means a significant increase in the pace of transformation of the area.  Underpass Park, while outside of the Village, is a significant start to turning the former industrial lands into a beautiful, sustainable, mix-use neighborhood.  The original timelines for build out of the 32 hectare (80 acres) West Don Lands was planned for 10-12 years, in three strategic phases, subject to market conditions.  With the acceleration for the Pan Am Games, more than half of the community will be in place for June 2015.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

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Media Contact:

Tari Stork, Waterfront Toronto 416-214-1344 / tstork@waterfrontoronto.ca

Sam Gileno, Waterfront Toronto 416-214-1344 / sgileno@waterfrontoronto.ca

Media Kit: 

Large images

Fact Sheet (PDF 109 KB)

West Don Lands Backgrounder (PDF 93 KB)

West Don Lands Image Gallery

Underpass Park Context Map

Illustration by Brett Lamb (Courtesy of Torontoist)

The votes are in and ‘Waterfront Development’ was named a semi-finalist in Torontoist’s Heroes and Villains of 2009 competition. Launched by popular website Torontoist in late December, the contest asked readers to vote for the very best and worst people, places and things in Toronto during 2009. The ‘Waterfront Development’ category, which featured a wonderful illustration of the Simcoe WaveDeck, was nominated thanks to what Torontoist called the “palpable turning point” in waterfront development during 2009. Torontoist highlighted the opening of the Simcoe and Rees wavedecks, groundbreakings at Sherbourne Park and Canada’s Sugar Beach, and Toronto’s winning PanAm bid as evidence of momentum on the waterfront.

Of the twenty four Heroes selected by Torontoist for the competition, Waterfront Development easily moved on to the second round of voting after earning more votes than The Power Plant Gallery in the first round of voting. In the second round, Waterfront Development surpassed Scramble Intersections to make it to the semi-finalist round where after a close battle, Wildlife triumphed and moved on to the finals. More than 30,000 votes were cast during the competition whose ultimate winner was the Toronto Public Library.

2010 promises even more activity on the waterfront with groundbreakings for Don River Park and Underpass Park in the West Don Lands planned for this spring. Canada’s Sugar Beach and Sherbourne Park will open later this summer and both parks will be connected by a new 19 metre wide stretch of water’s edge promenade. Construction is also about to start in the Central Waterfront where Waterfront Toronto and Harbourfront Centre are replacing a 1.4 hectare surface parking lot with an underground parking garage — this will free up the surface area for future public space and a thriving cultural/retail village.

Toronto, September 16, 2009 – Waterfront Toronto’s East Bayfront, West Don Lands and North Keating in the Lower Don Lands have achieved Stage 1 LEED ND GOLD (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighbourhood Development) certification under the pilot program established by the U.S. Green Building Council.

As one of the first LEED ND GOLD certified projects in Canada, Waterfront Toronto continues to set new standards for environmental sustainability and innovative design. The LEED ND certification program integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first rating system for neighbourhood design.

The program is a tool to help planners and developers create communities that not only protect the environment, but also address important social and health issues such as sustainable transportation, affordable housing, public consultation, proximity to day-to-day destinations, and maintenance of heritage buildings.

“Waterfront Toronto is a pioneer in this arena and is ushering in a new era of development of smarter and healthier communities throughout Canada” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The LEED for Neighborhood Development program goes beyond individual green buildings and focuses on community-wide design and development.”

Creating sustainable communities is a fundamental objective for Waterfront Toronto. In addition to requiring LEED Gold certification as the new standard on all new buildings, Waterfront Toronto is also employing a transit first approach, meaning that when the first new residents and businesses move in, communities will be served by public transit that is within five minutes of their premises. To reduce the cost of energy, lower air emissions and improve air quality, communities will also utilize district energy for their heating and cooling needs.

“We are thrilled to achieve LEED ND GOLD for our neighbourhood plans. This fits in with our mandate to lead in market transformation and helps define our achievements in sustainable community development,” said John Campbell, President and CEO of Waterfront Toronto.

Waterfront Toronto is one of 23 projects in Canada participating in the groundbreaking third-party verification program that focuses on sustainable development from a comprehensive, neighbourhood wide perspective rather than on a building-by-building basis.

As part of its mandate to making the city’s waterfront a global model for sustainable development and setting new standards for best practices, Waterfront Toronto is the only LEED ND GOLD pilot project in Canada to submit, and be approved, with an affordable housing component. Waterfront Toronto is committed to including a broad mix of housing and affordable housing, and key amenities like childcare, recreation centres and schools to attract families.

The three LEED ND GOLD certified areas are in various stages of development. East Bayfront is a busy construction zone. Construction began on Sherbourne Park in July and construction of Canada’s Sugar Beach is expected to start this fall. Corus Entertainment’s new office and broadcast centre is expected to be completed by the end of the year with occupancy expected in the spring of 2010. Plans for the North Keating neighbourhood in the Lower Don Lands will be submitted to Toronto City Council for approval early spring 2010.

Construction projects are also well underway to support new communities in the West Don Lands. These former industrial lands will soon be home to a vibrant and green mixed-use neighbourhood. Flood protection will be provided by a massive 8 hectare engineered berm designed to protect a 99 hectare area, including Toronto’s financial district, from flooding, which will become the signature 7 hectare Don River Park. The groundbreaking for Don River Park which will become the cornerstone of the new community is expected next spring.

Urban Capital Property Group and Redquartz Development, with Saucier + Perrotte Architects and ZAS Architects, will develop the first residential phase of West Don Lands. River City is now accepting registrations for its first phase. The sales office for River City is expected to open this fall, while construction of the development is scheduled to begin in 2010 and first phase of occupancy is slated for 2011.  For more information or to register, visitwww.rivercitytoronto.com.

Waterfront Toronto
The Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

Media Contact:  Sheri DeCarlo, Waterfront Toronto, (416) 214-1344 x 279 or sdecarlo@waterfrontoronto.ca

Toronto, July 23, 2009 –

Located just east of Lower Sherbourne Street, this 1.5 hectare park spans more than two city blocks, from Lake Ontario in the south to Lake Shore Blvd. in the north, on both sides of Queens Quay.

Designed by renowned landscape architects Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg in association with The Planning Partnership, and inspired by the iconic Canadian lakeside experience, this year-round park is scheduled to open next summer.

“Our Government is pleased to provide more than $20.8 million in funding for this project, as part of the continuing renewal of Toronto’s waterfront,” said Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.  “We are committed to helping transform this part of Toronto’s industrial past into a beautiful and sustainable public space.  I look forward to seeing Sherbourne Park become a year-round destination of choice for those living in and visiting this city.”

Sherbourne Park will become the new heart of East Bayfront bringing a feeling of life at the lake to the area. To bring the lakeside experience to life, the park features three key elements in its design: woods, water and wide open greenspace.

The north part of the park features a grove of pacific sunset maple trees, benches and play structures creating an outdoor living room for East Bayfront residents. Wide open greenspace on the south side of the park provides ample space for festivals, concerts and other city-wide events overlooking Lake Ontario. In total, the park includes 182 new trees, 26 play structures and 49 benches.

“Today’s Sherbourne Park groundbreaking marks a new milestone for the revitalization of Toronto’s waterfront,” said George Smitherman, Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.  “The construction of Sherbourne Park will create jobs and help stimulate the local economy.  And, by next summer, residents and visitors will be able use this park year-round as a place to relax, a place to play and a place to gather – right on the water’s edge.”

Sustainability plays an important role in Sherbourne Park, where key components of East Bayfront’s stormwater management system is integrated into the park’s design, allowing this required infrastructure to be both beautiful and functional.

A stunning 240 metre long Water Channel running along the east side of the park is part of the community’s innovative stormwater management system. The Water Channel features three dramatic art sculptures that rise almost nine metres from the ground, elegantly lifting water toward the sky and back down as a textured veil of water. Clean water is discharged from the base of the channel back into Lake Ontario.

“It is especially important during challenging economic times for all governments to invest in the public realm,” said Mayor David Miller. “Sherbourne Park joins significant investment in public infrastructure to get our waterfront ready for new tenants such as Corus Entertainment and George Brown College by cleaning the soil, building waterfront transit, and creating spectacular boardwalks, wavedecks, and a rejuvenated Queen’s Quay Boulevard from Bathurst to Parliament.”

Park construction is beginning on the south side of Queens Quay where the Sherbourne Park Pavillion will be located. This 144m2 zinc clad and glass structure will house a café and facilities designed to animate the park year-round. Surrounding the Pavillion is a 920 m2 pond that will be frozen in the winter for a skating rink and act as a splash pad in the summer for waterplay.

The Pavillion is also an integral part of the stormwater management system, as the UV Purification Facility is located in its basement.

“This is the waterfront park that everyone has been waiting for,” said John Campbell, President and CEO of Waterfront Toronto. “It transforms an under-used, mostly industrial site into a sustainable neighbourhood park for those living and working in East Bayfront and it creates a must-see destination for the rest of the city.”

The budget for Sherbourne Park including site preparation costs (demolition and soil remediation) as well as design and construction costs for the park, Water Channel and UV Purification Facility is $28.7 million.

In addition to Sherbourne Park, construction is underway throughout East Bayfront, the vibrant new waterfront community which runs from Jarvis to Parliament Streets and from the rail corridor to the lake. Work is nearing completion on East Bayfront’s first commercial building, the new headquarters for Corus Entertainment.  Municipal servicing infrastructure work for the area is ongoing and George Brown College plans to open its new Health Sciences Centre on the waterfront in 2012.

The construction of Canada’s Sugar Beach, Toronto’s second urban beach will also begin later this summer at the Jarvis Slip.

At full build-out, East Bayfront will be a thriving new community with 6,000 new residential units, jobs for 8,000 people and innovative storm water management facilities integrated into the area’s parks and public spaces.

Waterfront Toronto
Since 2005, Waterfront Toronto has completed several parks and public spaces projects. The Simcoe WaveDeck opened in June and plans are underway to open the Rees WaveDeck later this summer. Improvements to the Martin Goodman Trail at Ontario Place will also open this summer. Construction projects are also underway to support new communities in the West Don Lands.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

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Media Contacts:
·         Samantha Gileno, Waterfront Toronto 416-214-1344 x264 or 416-271-1316
·         Mike Storeshaw, Director of Communications, Department of Finance Canada, Minister’s Office 613-996-7861
·         Amy Tang, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Minister’s Office 416-327-6747
·         Stuart Green, Deputy Director of Communications, Office of the Mayor 416-338-7119

Media Kit

News Release (pdf)

East Bayfront Backgrounder (pdf)

Sherbourne Park Fact Sheet (pdf)

News Release – french (pdf)

Sherbourne Park Image Gallery

In a keynote address at the Toronto Board of Trade, John Campbell, President and CEO of Waterfront Toronto, reviewed progress on waterfront revitalization and released the findings of a detailed economic impact analysis, which examined the results of investments made by Waterfront Toronto and its government partners since the organization’s inception in 2001 through March 31, 2009.

The study, conducted by urbanMetrics inc., found that the $642 million invested to date in waterfront renewal has generated $1.6 billion in gross output for the Canadian economy and approximately 8,400 full-time years of employment, 70 per cent of which were in the Toronto region.

The largest portion, approximately $219.5 million or 34 percent, was invested in waterfront construction projects including the Spadina, Simcoe and Rees wavedecks, Port Union and Mimico waterfront parks, the Cherry Beach Sports Fields, Marilyn Bell Park, York and John Quay Promenade, the flood protection landform in the West Don Lands, and the development of infrastructure in East Bayfront and the West Don Lands.

A second major share of expenditures was directed towards creative and knowledge-based industries, industries expected to be the primary drivers of future economic development. As part of its design and planning work, as well as other necessary preliminary work on various waterfront projects, Waterfront Toronto has invested approximately 30 percent of expenditures in the professional, scientific and technical services industries.

“Our investments to revitalize Toronto’s waterfront are delivering on the promise to support local, provincial and national economic development as well as to support the growth of key industry sectors,” said John Campbell. “While the economic returns already generated are solid, they will pale in comparison to the lasting benefits anticipated once the comprehensive vision for the waterfront is more fully realized.”

The study found that 95 per cent of all of Waterfront Toronto’s expenditures were made in Ontario, and nearly 90 per cent were made within Toronto.

All levels of government have also seen a return on their investments. As a result of waterfront renewal activity, new revenues worth approximately $180 million were generated for the Government of Canada, $124 million for the Government of Ontario and $20 million for the City of Toronto.

A second phase of analysis measuring the expected impacts of future investments and benefits once the waterfront plan is more fully realized (permanent jobs, property taxes and tourism spending), will be completed in the coming months.

The Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

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For more information:

Michelle Noble, Waterfront Toronto Director of Communications, 416-214-1344 ext. 263

Media Kit

News Release (pdf)
EIA Executive Summary (pdf)
Remarks by John Campbell (pdf)
Presentation by John Campbell (pdf)

“We are thrilled to be able to partner with the Urban Capital/Redquartz team,” says John Campbell, President and CEO, Waterfront Toronto. “We believe they are the right team with the right vision for delivering the first phase of what will be a showcase, green neighbourhood in the West Don Lands.”

Urban Capital Property Group and Redquartz Development bring both local and international interest and perspective to the development, a unique and bold architectural response to the site and a deep commitment to sustainability. Today’s announcement is the first step towards a $250-300 million private-sector investment in waterfront revitalization and demonstrates private-sector commitment to partner with Waterfront Toronto. It is yet another step towards visible progress and the delivery of the waterfront revitalization vision.

The first phase of West Don Lands revitalization, known as River Square Neighbourhood, includes 850 units of housing and is located in the area that runs from King Street in the north to the new Don River Park in the south and from St. Lawrence Street in the west to Bayview Avenue in the east.

“Our government is dedicated to working with Waterfront Toronto and the other government partners to create a world renowned model for sustainability on the shores of Lake Ontario,” said John Baird, Canada’s Environment Minister. “I congratulate the winning team of Urban Capital/Redquartz, and welcome their design for Toronto’s future green waterfront neighbourhood.”

Following a successful selection process Urban Capital Property Group and Redquartz Development were chosen because they best responded to Waterfront Toronto’s criteria for sustainability and design excellence and provided, overall, the best value. Their proposal also embraced key Waterfront Toronto public policy objectives including, creating inclusive communities, reducing urban sprawl, transit first approaches, and leveraging the creation of parks and public spaces.

Urban Capital Property Group and Redquartz Development bring a strong team with precedent award-winning development projects and the ability to build a 21st century, showcase community in the West Don Lands.
“The selection of Urban Capital/Redquartz illustrates significant progress in the development of the West Don Lands,” said Public Infrastructure Renewal Minister David Caplan. “Ongoing implementation on Ontario’s top waterfront revitalization priority brings us closer to a live, work, play community that will serve as a model for future redevelopment.”

In June 2007, Waterfront Toronto launched the developer selection process with the issuance of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). Five teams were short-listed in September of 2007 and asked to respond to a full Request for Proposals (RFP) in February 2008. A Steering Committee comprised of members from Waterfront Toronto as well as external sustainability, development and design experts evaluated the RFQ’s and RFP’s. The entire selection process was overseen by provincial Integrity Commissioner, The Honourable Justice Coulter A. Osborne.

“We are delighted to have been selected to deliver the first, exciting project for Waterfront Toronto, the River Square Neigbourhood,” said David Wex, Partner, Urban Capital Property Group. “We share in Waterfront Toronto’s vision for creating an innovative, showcase new community in the West Don Lands. We have established a team uniquely qualified to achieve design excellence, sustainability and the overall community building objectives of Waterfront Toronto. Waterfront Toronto’s selection process has been transparent and business-like and we look forward to initiating this great revitalization project.”

“The Urban Capital/Redquartz team understands Hurricane Hazel’s site history as well as the need to connect the new West Don Lands community both to Toronto’s downtown and to a revitalized waterfront,” said Mayor David Miller.

At full build-out, West Don Lands will be a vibrant, green neighbourhood that will be home to 10,000 people and will feature pedestrian friendly streets, exceptional parks and public spaces, market and affordable housing, public transit within a five minute walk of all residences, schools, childcare and recreation centres.

The revitalization of West Don Lands will proceed over the next 10-12 years in four phases. The sales launch for Phase One is expected for January 2009, with construction scheduled to begin in 2010, and first phase occupancy in 2011.

In addition to the 850 market housing units, Phase One development also includes 130 units of affordable housing that is being developed by Toronto Community Housing Corporation. Construction is expected to start with this project in the fall of 2008.

The federal, provincial and city governments established Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s central waterfront.

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Media Contacts:

Marisa Piattelli, Waterfront Toronto 416-214-1476
Eric Richer, Office of the Minister, Environment Canada 819-997-1441
Amy Tang, Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal, Minister’s Office 416-325-4048
Don Wanagas, City of Toronto, Mayor’s Office 416-338-7134

Media Kit

News Release (pdf)
Backgrounder (pdf)
Development Team Selected Portfolio (pdf)

“With the creation of the West Don Lands District Energy Centre, Waterfront Toronto is introducing this highly-sustainable technology to Canada in a visible and striking way through an iconic architectural expression of energy generation,” said John Campbell, President and CEO of Waterfront Toronto. “This building will make a positive statement about the role of district energy in protecting the environment and educating the public about Waterfront Toronto’s efforts to build a green city.”

Steven Holl Architects (SHA) is internationally-honored with architecture’s most prestigious awards, publications and exhibitions for excellence in design among which are two recent recognitions in the ‘10 Best Architectural Marvels’ of Time Magazine’s December 2007 issue.

Steven Holl Architects was selected for the District Energy Centre because of their design ability and their philosophy that sustainable building and site development is fundamental to innovative and imaginative design. Incorporating green roofs, double walls, and advanced mechanical systems, Steven Holl Architects constructed the New Residence at the Swiss Embassy according to Swiss “Minergie Standards,” higher standards than the U.S. Council for Green Building’s LEED standards for minimal energy consumption. In 2007 the Whitney Water Purification Facility and Park was chosen as one of the exemplary Top Ten Green Projects by the American Institute of Architects’ Committee on the Environment. The Whitney Water Purification Facility and Park (2005) features the largest green roof in Connecticut, zero off-site storm water discharge, expanded wetlands for biodiversity, and geothermal heating and cooling.

Steven Holl states: “The 21st century presents us with one-third of the earth already developed, much of it in sprawling waste. A fundamental change of attitude, a revisioning of values must take place. We hope to make the District Energy Centre a cultural and global symbol of sustainable development through an architecture that enacts the authentic connection of nature, society and humanity. The building will be inspiring in its design and excellent in its technical functioning.”

As part of its mandate to make Toronto a global leader in sustainable development, Waterfront Toronto has committed to meeting all of the heating and cooling demands of its new waterfront neighbourhoods through a centralized district energy system. An interconnected network of underground pipes will extend to every development parcel in the new waterfront precincts, and all new buildings will be required to rely on this system, and will not be built with their own independent heating and cooling systems. Although initially these plants will be natural-gas fired, they will be designed for eventual conversion to alternative fuels when they become approved for urban use. Creating the centralized system now will, thereby, “future proof” the waterfront by allowing entire neighbourhoods to be easily switched to more efficient and sustainable sources of energy. While such district energy plants are common in parts of Europe and Scandinavia, they have not been introduced on a large urban scale in North America.

Chris McVoy, Senior Partner at Steven Holl Architects, states: “We are excited by the opportunity to weave public green space and sustainable infrastructure together as a new urban prototype”.

The District Energy Centre is expected to go into construction by the end of 2008 in order to be ready to deliver heating and cooling to the first buildings by the beginning of 2010.

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Media contact:

Marisa Piattelli, Waterfront Toronto, mpiattelli@waterfrontoronto.ca, 416-214-1476

News Release (pdf)

Toronto, June 25, 2007 – Federal Environment Minister John Baird, Ontario Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal David Caplan and Toronto Mayor David Miller today launched the start of construction of both a flood protection berm and the Don River Park in the West Don Lands, the first new community to be developed as part of waterfront revitalization.

“The revitalization of the West Don Lands will transform an underused industrial area into a vibrant new sustainable community for Torontonians,” said the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment. “The health of our cities and communities is critical to our country’s ongoing success. That is why Canada’s New Government is providing $17.6 million to fully fund the construction of the Don River Park. We are committed to working with other levels of government to renew Toronto’s waterfront and ensure a high quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”

Don River Park will be an active, vibrant and inviting neighbourhood park serving the community, the City and visitors alike. Don River Park will provide a rich and diverse offering of landscape experiences. It will transform an abandoned and contaminated post-industrial site into a dynamic, re-natured public park that is animated year-round. It will invite the city to the Don River and enhance the experience along the river’s edge.

Waterfront Toronto in partnership with the Ontario Realty Corporation is overseeing the construction of the six-hectare berm. The berm is a key requirement for developing the West Don Lands which are located in the flood plain of the Don River. The berm will provide flood protection for a 174 hectare area that extends west to York Street, including Toronto’s financial district. Don River Park, a signature piece of the new West Don Lands community, will be built on top of the berm.

“The waterfront’s future really begins today – as we begin the process of transforming the provincially owned West Don Lands into a new community that will one day rival London’s Canary Wharf or New York’s Battery Park,” said Caplan. “The long awaited berm construction is the critical step to making the West Don Lands, one of Canada’s first complete and sustainable communities.”

Approximately 200,000 cubic metres of fill will be used to construct the low-lying berm. This is the equivalent to the load carried by 10,000 dump trucks. At its high point, the berm will be four metres high. The berm is scheduled to be complete in 2008 after which final landscaping for Don River Park will take place. The park will be open in 2009. The cost of constructing the berm is $25 million. Don River Park will cost $15 million.

“This berm is vital to the transformation of the West Don Lands into the dynamic community Torontonians have long been looking for in the vicinity of their downtown waterfront,” said Mayor David Miller. “It will be an affordable and accessible community that will attract a wide variety of families and residents from diverse economic backgrounds who want to live, work and play in a clean, green urban environment.”

Starting construction of the berm and Don River Park is part of a number of development activities now underway in the West Don Lands. On June 18, 2007, Waterfront Toronto issued a Request for Qualifications for the development of 850 units of residential housing in the West Don Lands. And, Toronto Community Housing, Waterfront Toronto’s affordable housing partner for the first phase of West Don Lands development, will start construction of 130 units of affordable rental housing in the fall of 2007.

“Today represents a major milestone for revitalization of Toronto’s waterfront,” said Mark Wilson, Waterfront Toronto’s chair. “Building this berm has been one of the biggest barriers to transforming this area into a new vibrant neighbourhood. Today we officially overcome that barrier and start the major construction of the first new waterfront community.”

In addition to the berm, flood protection is also being provided by widening the channel of the Don River so that it can accommodate a larger flow of water. Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) is carrying out this work. Widening the river channel requires extending the railway bridge that spans the channel. This bridge work will be complete in July along with a new pedestrian underpass that links the new West Don Lands community to the existing Don River and waterfront trails. The underpass will open in 2009 when Don River Park is complete.

The West Don Lands, made up of 32 hectares next to the Distillery District, run from Parliament Street east to the Don River and from King Street south to the rail corridor. Waterfront Toronto has made community consultation an integral part of the design and development of the West Don Lands.

“In 1999 our community identified flood protection as the single biggest barrier to redevelopment of the West Don Lands,” said Cindy Wilkey, Chair of the West Don Lands Committee. “When the flood protection berm is completed in 2008, landscaping for the fabulous new Don River Park can start and new neighbours will finally be able to move in. The $20 million for flood protection and the $19 million for the creation of Don River Park are critical investments that will stimulate private sector partnership in building this new neighbourhood.”

The Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

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Media contacts:

Kristin Jenkins, Waterfront Toronto 416-214-1479
Eric Richer, Environment Canada 819-997-1441
Amy Tang, Ontario Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal, Minister’s Office 416-325-4048
Don Wanagas, City of Toronto, Mayor’s Office 416-338-7134

News Release (pdf)