In the fall of 1997, the Task Force to Bring Back the Don held a visioning session. Out of this session came this statement to guide future planning towards the naturalization of the mouth of the Don River.
An urban wilderness
A place of mystery, discovery, and spiritual rejuvenation;
A place to feel the fresh mud,
And hear the noises of ducks and other birds,
Insects, frogs, and children
Amid the hum and bustle of city life.
A web of wetlands, clean water, meadows, and trees,
Alongside businesses, offices, people's homes,
And networks for transportation and communications.
A destination
Where people go to work or to have fun.
Where city meets nature,
And the river meets the lake.
Where opposites mingle and recognize that they are one.
A gateway
For fish and wildlife
Moving between the headwaters of the Don River and Lake Ontario,
For people
Travelling on the trails along the waterfront
And up the river valley
Or out to open water.
A large place
With space enough for people to find solitude
And for sensitive plants and animals to live and breed undisturbed.
A place that Toronto has adopted,
And neighbouring communities feel a sense of pride.
A place that simply is.
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The Task Force has always wanted to reconnect the Don River to Lake Ontario with a naturalized river channel and wetland.The idea is gaining popularity. Re-establishing a natural river mouth is an important element of the proposal of the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Task Force Report, March 2000.
