EJQ7 - Winter 2026 - Journal - Page 6
the job they have to do, but they also believe they can play,” said
Henderson.
Such was the case with Biidaasige Park. The project team, which consisted
of Waterfront Toronto, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Jacobs,
Geosyntec, and EllisDon, involved signi昀椀cant Indigenous leadership,
including an Indigenous Advisory Circle of Elders, Knowledge Keepers,
and community members who guided the naming and vision, supported
by the City of Toronto, Waterfront Toronto, and design 昀椀rms like Lura
Consulting, MinoKamik Collective and Indigenous-owned Trophic
Design, ensuring Indigenous values were central to the park’s creation
and identity, honouring the land’s history.
BIIDAASIGE PARK IN TORONTO’S PORT LANDS IS
A 98-ACRE ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION OF THE
DON RIVER MOUTH, TRANSFORMING A FORMER
INDUSTRIAL WASTELAND INTO A RESILIENT,
BIODIVERSE WATERFRONT PARK.
Julie Dabrusin, Canada’s environment minister, does a stellar job of
summing it up: “Biidaasige Park is a prime example of what we can build
when we work together. What we’ve created is more than a park: we’ve
transformed the Toronto waterfront, ensured critical 昀氀ood protection for
residents, and built the foundation for future housing and public spaces
for the community.”
This shining example of brown昀椀eld initiative will serve as an inspiration
for sites everywhere.
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 AGE 6
