From the Archives: Mimico Waterfront Park

After decades of being cut off from the waterfront, with the opening of Mimico Waterfront Park residents of this Etobicoke neighbourhood finally had access to the lakefront.

POSTED: SEPTEMBER 17, 2015 I PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES, SUSTAINABILITY, DESIGN, WALKABLE NEIGHBOURHOODS
By Heather Glicksman

Mimico Waterfront Park offers cobble beaches, a sand dune, a cozy gazebo and boardwalks. For locals and waterfront trail users, its winding path is a favourite place for strolling, cycling and rollerblading – with plenty of places to pause and reflect. Not so long ago, however, this section of our waterfront just wasn’t accessible to the public. The first phase of this linear park opened in 2008, helping to connect Toronto’s west end with the wider waterfront community. A second phase completed the park in 2012.

In the early 2000s, the water’s edge was inaccessible west of Humber Bay Park West. Today, this 1.1 kilometre expanse of new waterfront public space is widely used and enjoyed by residents and visitors. (Top: Mimico Waterfront Park at construction start; Above: The completed park.)

Over a kilometre of new shoreline parkland was created between Norris Crescent and Humber Bay Park West, helping to extend the Waterfront Trail and establish Mimico as a recreational destination. This helped to connect three existing public spaces – the Norris Crescent Parkette, Amos Waites Park, and the Superior Avenue Parkette. Visitors and residents alike enjoy the multi-use trail as a water’s-edge route to walk, cycle or skate through the neighbourhood. Boardwalks, cobble beaches, and lookouts offer views of the lake as well as the partially protected bay formed out of large rocks and boulders.

Check out this photo gallery and see for yourself the stunning views of the Lake from Toronto’s west end.