 Waterfront revitalization will restore mouth of Don River to clean, green, accessible area
Environmental improvement is a major tenet of the Toronto waterfront revitalization initiative.
One of the first responsibilities of the Waterfront Toronto was a $2-million environmental assessment to restore the mouth of the Don River to clean, green and accessible land. The environmental assessment also addressed the construction of a berm to provide flood control protection to the West Don Lands area.
This environmental assessment was the final step toward realizing the potential of the West Don Lands and restoring the mouth of the Don River. The green corridor created by the Lower Don River project will serve as a welcoming entrance to the Port Lands and encourage private sector investment and future development. Naturalization of the mouth of the Don River will connect Toronto's waterfront to greenspace in the Don River valley and replace vacant lots and concrete with 21 hectares (52 acres) of new parkland, wetland and marsh areas, new trees and a refuge for urban wildlife. The project will also improve water quality and free up 19 hectares (47 acres) of land for housing and commercial development in the area bounded by Cherry Street, Eastern Avenue and the railway embankment.
Fulfilling this vision has required extensive soil and groundwater remediation, the removal of derelict and obsolete infrastructure and reconfiguration of the mouth of the Don River. The final product will be a network of new parks and wetland areas that provide a natural and functional flood plain for the area surrounding the mouth of the Don River.
Key features of the longer-term naturalization project include:
- restoration of wildlife and natural shoreline habitats
- flood protection for the West Don Lands
- reclamation of land for wildlife habitats and recreational uses
- enhancement of pedestrian and bicycle paths linking the Don River valley and the waterfront.
The environmental assessment, which is expected to be completed by spring 2008, is the final step in developing the best functional design that meets all project objectives. The overall cost to complete the project will be determined once the functional plan is complete.
The environmental assessment of the Don River will be overseen by Waterfront Toronto and managed by the Toronto Region Conservation Authority.
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