Construction Starts on New Waterfront Park in Mimico
Posted July 24, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Toronto waterfront is finally getting a facelift.
On Monday, a group that included John Baird, President of the Treasury Board of Canada, Laurel Broten, Ontario Minster of Environment and Toronto Mayor David Miller, officially launched the start of construction on the Mimico Waterfront Linear Park.
As one of the strategic projects identified in the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation Business Plan, Mimico Waterfront Linear Park will stretch from Humber Bay Park in the east to Norris Crescent Parkette in the west.
Planners hope it will provide people access to a section of the Lake Ontario shoreline which is currently extremely restricted to residents.
“Improving public access to the waterfront and giving more people reasons to use it are key priorities for waterfront revitalization,” said TWRC interim chair Peter Smith.
“This is why we are leading revitalization with projects like the Mimico Waterfront Linear Park. This project also shows that our waterfront is a city-wide resource.”
Minister Baird concured, suggesting the development will not only help nearby residents, but add another dimension to the city as a whole.
“Canada’s new government supports the development of the Toronto waterfront from east to west,” said Baird.
“We are excited that, soon, Torontonians will be able to enjoy a new waterfront park, beaches and extended trails along the western waterfront.”
Some of the project’s key features include a new section of the Waterfront Trail, a sheltered embayment, a sand dune and cobble beaches.
“This is an exciting time for revitalizing Toronto’s waterfront because we’re seeing plans coming off the drawing boards, and shovels going into the ground,” said Minister Broten, MPP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore.
“This new Mimico park will provide environmental benefits, attract tourists and give our community and other residents of Toronto better access to one of the city’s best natural assets.”
“Today’s event signifies another important step forward in the on-going revitalization of Toronto’s waterfront,” said Mayor Miller.
“The Mimico Waterfront Linear Park is evidence that we are working to create clean, green public spaces along our entire shoreline from the Rouge River in the east to Etobicoke Creek in the west. I’m pleased that my mandate – to make our waterfront more accessible to all Torontonians as a place to live, work and play – continues to be realized through projects like this one.”
Phase 1 is scheduled for completion in 2008, while construction activities set to commence in 2006/07 include lakefilling from Superior Avenue to Amos Waites Park, shoreline protection work at Amos Waites Park and the beginning of lakefilling to form the headland beach system in the west end of the project area.
Phase 2 extends from Superior Avenue Parkette to Humber Bay Park and requires property that’s now privately owned. It’ll begin once the necessary properties have been acquired.
