Toronto’s largest park in a generation has opened on the city’s newest island, Ookwemin Minising. Biidaasige Park is the island’s marquee attraction along the re-naturalized Don River on the city’s east side, offering a natural space within the urban environment that boasts recreational trails and cycling paths, fishing, slips for non-motorized boats, and the Don Greenway wetland for birdwatching.
The result of a $1.4-billion tri-government investment in flood protection and waterfront revitalization, the island is highlighted throughout by distinctive red, yellow, and orange bridges, connecting areas that offer visitors immersive and adventurous areas to explore across approximately 20 hectares of parkland, with an additional 4 hectares set to open in 2026, along with the first-in-Canada Lassonde Art Trail.
At full buildout, it is estimated that Ookwemin Minising will also be home to more than 15,000 residents and an additional six hectares of parkland to be developed in later phases – all surrounded by water and verdant green space.
Biidaasige Park
Pronounced “bee-daw-sih-geh” and meaning “sunlight shining toward us” in Anishinaabemowin / Ojibwemowin), Biidaasige Park is a sweeping greenspace that lines the new mouth of the Don River.
Residents and visitors to the city alike will discover an array of features designed for all ages and interests at the park. Highlights include picnic areas, two off-leash dog areas, a vibrant playground featuring larger-than-life animal sculptures representing Anishinaabe, Ongwehonwe, and Huron dodems, Toronto’s first ziplines, and a recreation waterplay feature, the Badlands Scramble.
The are also features 5,000-plus trees, 77,000 shrubs and two-million herbaceous plants.
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