This park has it all, enormous animal sculpture playgrounds (an owl and a raccoon), a couple of ziplines, a water feature, bathrooms, trails and plenty more and I just found out it is now on a new island. Biidaasige Park was built in two phases with the main playground area opening first, later another block will open in 2026. The historic firehall will open later this fall as a public space.
Toronto’s newest island, Ookwemin Minising (pronounced “oh-kway-min min-nih-sing” meaning “place of the black cherry trees”), was created as part of a massive redevelopment as well as flood protection works for the sometimes mighty Don River. Biidaasige Park is located on the south east corner of Cherry and Commissioners streets with a large parking lot across Commissioners Street. First the 50 acre park opens then the revitalization will ultimately house tens of thousands residents and provide thousands of jobs.
From the City's media release, "Visitors to Biidaasige Park (pronounced “bee-daw-sih-geh” and meaning “sunlight shining toward us” in Anishinaabemowin/Ojibwemowin) will discover an array of features designed for all ages and interests. Highlights of the 2025 opening include picnic 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 park also boasts recreational trails and cycling paths, including step-downs to the river for fishing and birdwatching, slips for non-motorized boats, and the Don Greenway wetland for birdwatching. Two dog off-leash areas and a pebble landing area for watercraft further enhance the visitor experience."
Mayor Olivia Chow said, “Today is a historic day for Torontonians with the opening of Biidaasige Park – the largest park in a generation and a beautiful space along the city’s Eastern Waterfront. Thanks to our partnership with the federal and provincial governments and Indigenous partners, we have advanced $2.4 billion to support this new community and advance Indigenous placekeeping in Toronto. Today’s opening of a new park and river are a significant first milestone.”
See more photos of the park after the jump.
Charcoal barbecue area
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