The City is improving the ponds in Milliken Park as part of a state-of-good-repair program to repair the stream circulation system and address drainage and pathway issues. The park will remain open during construction with some areas restricted during construction.

  • November 2020: Phase 1 design
  • March to June 2021: Phase 1 construction
  • July 2021: Phase 2 design
  • April to June 2022: Phase 2 construction
  • July to September 2022: Phase 3 design
  • September to December 2023: Phase 3 construction

The timeline is subject to change.

March 2023

The Phase 3 design is complete and will include more pond and stream restorations beside the existing park roadway. Pedestrians and cyclists can still access the park roadway, but there may be minor temporary disruptions in the areas near Pond B and C due to intermittent construction activity. There are existing alternate paths to the park gardens, fieldhouse building, gazebo, and dock. Phase 3 is anticipated to start in spring and be completed by fall 2023.

September 2022

Phase 2 is complete and a design consultant is hired for Phase 3, which will include more pond and stream restorations beside the existing park roadway. Phase 3 construction is anticipated to start in spring 2023.

A photograph of the restored Pond A and stream, which occurred during Phase 2 construction. The photo is taken facing north towards Steeles Avenue East and shows a pond surrounded by mature trees and rocks.
Pond A and stream after Phase 2 restoration work.

April 2022

Phase 2 is anticipated to start in April and includes repairs to Pond A.

June 2021

Phase 1 is complete and included repairs to Pond D, the largest pond in the park at the lowest elevation level.

Milliken Park is located at 5555 Steeles Ave. E. near McCowan Road in Scarborough. There are four ponds within the park which are connected by one stream. Water is circulated with a mechanical pump from the lowest point level at Pond D up to the highest point level at Pond A. The water then flows naturally from Pond A, B, C and D with gravity.

The stream system is being repaired in two phases in order to improve overall circulation, drainage and pathway issues.

Phase 1

This phase will focus on repairs to Pond D, which is the largest pond in the park and at the lowest elevation level:

  • Repairing pump outlets, affected pond edges and railing repairs
  • Replacement and repair of drainage pipe culverts
  • Site drainage and pathway repairs
  • Installation of a new drainage ditch swale with plants to control erosion (south of the field house building)

Phase 2

This phase will focus on improvements to Pond A, which is at the highest point of elevation in the park:

  • General restoration such as pond clean-out, drainage control features, and pond edge repairs
  • Repairing the pond re-circulating pipe system

Phase 2 construction occurred from March to July 2022, with additional pipe repairs in September 2022.

Phase 3

This phase will focus on improvements to Pond B and C, which are located next to the park’s main road:

  • General restoration such as pond clean-out and pond edge repairs
  • Installation of a new drainage ditch swale with plants to control erosion (north of the field house building)

Phase 3 construction is anticipated to occur from March to June 2023.

While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some of the content on this site. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings, or any other content, please contact Tim Lee at 416-573-4109.

The site map for the pond and steam restoration at Milliken Park. Ponds A through D are labeled and shown in blue, with the existing features such as decks, drainage pipes, field house building and roadways labeled. Pond A is at the highest elevation and located closest to Steeles Avenue Eats. Pond D is the largest pond and at the lowest elevation level and is closest to McCowan Avenue. All ponds are connected by a stream.
Site map can be enlarged in a new window.