EJQ7 - Winter 2026 - Journal - Page 3
Time to Shine
Inclusive partnerships are the key to successful brown昀椀eld projects
Connie Vitello
is editor of
Environment
Journal.
IT WAS A HAPPY NEW YEAR for nature around Lake Ontario. Species like largemouth
bass and northern pike, beavers and muskrats, ducks and geese, turtles and frogs
have been returning to their natural habitat since the birth of Biidaasige Park.
Everything and everyone is excited about the revitalized space on the Toronto
waterfront, with much needed affordable housing to be developed in responsible
ways around this renewed community.
This project was a big bet on brownfield redevelopment—and it’s paying off big time.
Biidaasige (pronounced Bee-daw-sih-geh)
translates to “sunlight shining towards us”
in Anishinaabemowin. The park showcases
nature’s comeback by transforming an
industrial area into a thriving ecosystem,
thanks to a $2.4 billion multi-stakeholder
initiative that was celebrated at the 26th
Annual Brownie Awards with the Best
Overall Project Award.
CANADA’S ANNUAL CELEBRATION
OF BROWNFIELDS
E N V I RON M E N T J OURN A L QUA RT E RLY RE PORT • W I N T ER 2 02 6 • P AG E 3
