Toronto approves ‘light touch approach’ to infrastructure improvements at island park

Ontario Construction News staff writer

A newly approved master plan is a “light-touch approach” to improving the infrastructure at Toronto Island Park, says Mayor Olivia Chow.

“The Toronto Island Park is one of Toronto’s greatest natural and cultural assets. The Toronto Island Park Master Plan will help protect and guide investment in the Toronto Island experience. I am excited to advance this dynamic, long-term plan to protect and expand the natural habitat and invest strategically in the island’s infrastructure to enhance visitor experience.”

The Toronto Island Park Master Plan includes six over-arching goals and more than 100 recommendations to be implemented over the next 25 years:

• revealing an Indigenous Place
• supporting the natural environment
• improving access and connection
• Enhancing the visitor experience
• elevating equity and belonging
• celebrating 2SLGBTQ+ significance

In the spirit of reconciliation and respect, the plan will establish dedicated areas for ceremony and gathering for Indigenous Communities and for all park users to learn more about the significance of Toronto Island to Indigenous peoples.

Working with Indigenous Communities including the Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nation, the City will designate space at Snake Island for Indigenous ceremony, weave Indigenous stories, place naming and art throughout the park, and create a signature five-kilometre Cultural Narrative Trail to celebrate and share diverse ways of knowing and being.

Additional flood mitigation measures will be added, including about 3.5 kilometres of shoreline improvements, 25,000 square metres of aquatic and terrestrial habitat improvements and more than 23 hectares of new flood protection for Island areas.

The master plan also includes establishing information hubs, creating a new map of the Island, adding wayfinding signs and transforming the Island into a four-season destination with upgrades to the park’s facilities and amenities.

Protecting Hanlan’s Beach dune habitat, exploring opportunities for beach restoration, developing a community safety strategy, undertaking a Cultural Heritage Study and acknowledging the significance of Hanlan’s Point to the 2SLGBTQ+ communities with interpretive signs and markers are also priorities.

For more information about the Toronto Island Park Master Plan, visit the City’s website.