aerial view of waterfront looking northwest

News

Find the latest news and articles to stay updated on the projects and partnerships that are making the vision for waterfront transformation a reality.

While we work to make our content more accessible, some may be unavailable and can be provided upon request. Please contact info@waterfrontoronto.ca if you require an alternative format, and we will respond as promptly as possible.

Rendering of people and a streetscape

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Waterfront Toronto’s Design Review Panel Reviews Villiers Island Density and Massing Study

Amendments to the 2017 Villiers Island Precinct Plan, along with Official Plan and zoning by-law amendments, will be going before Toronto City Council this June to allow the City to maximize the amount of housing on this new island community. Over the past two years, the City of Toronto, CreateTO and Waterfront Toronto have studied options to increase density and a comprehensive presentation was delivered to the Waterfront Toronto Design Review Panel at its April 24, 2024 meeting. The analysis included multiple approaches to adding density to the island, and looked at the benefits and impacts of each one. Learn more in this blog.

View of wetlands and a pond in a lush urban park

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Embracing biodiverse landscapes for a better planet

Spring has sprung and all across the waterfront there are signs of new life – buds appearing on the maples that line the Water’s Edge Promenade, aquatic birds visiting to the new wetlands created as part of the Port Lands Flood Protection project, and frogs croaking in the marsh at Corktown Common.

aerial view of a new river being constructed

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Take yourself on a tour of the Port Lands

With the new roads in the Port Lands now open, it’s easier than ever to explore the new mouth for the Don River and the future Villiers Island.

groups of people spread out on the lawn next to a red heart shaped park pond

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Spring Maintenance for the Heart of Love Park

With the spring season underway and below freezing temperatures behind us, the City of Toronto has begun preparations to activate its water features city-wide, including ornamental fountains and ponds like the one at Love Park.

Artist rendering of a large arch as public art in a waterfront park.

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Waterfront Toronto Announces Destination Art Piece for Sherbourne Common

April 4, 2024, Toronto, ON - Following an international call for proposals Rafael Lozano-Hemmer has been selected to install a new permanent artwork called Unfinished Arch.

Rendering: Parliament Slip seen from above with water taxis at the mouth of the slip.

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Responding to Feedback: How the Parliament Slip Preliminary Vision has Evolved

In 2021, Waterfront Toronto shared a bold vision to transform Parliament Slip. Since then, we sought public feedback on the preliminary design. Here's how an updated design responds to what we heard.

A bustling city promenade beside the water with pedestrians walking and cyclists biking through the urban landscape.

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Solving Today’s Challenges and Meeting the Needs of Tomorrow

Waterfront Toronto’s 2024/2025 Annual Business Plan outlines the ambitious goals to be accomplished in the year ahead. To date, we have carefully invested the public funds entrusted to us to deliver extraordinary transformations along the waterfront. With the Port Lands Flood Protection Project set to be completed by the end of 2024, the next phase of waterfront revitalization is in view.

An aerial map of the Toronto Port Lands.

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How we’re flooding the new mouth of the Don River

You’ve watched us dig a kilometre-long channel, build it up with layers of environmental protections, then natural river materials. Now, we’re adding the final ingredient to the new Don River: water.

A construction worker laying granite pavers.

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Looking Back at the 2023 Toronto Waterfront Artist Residency

Toronto-based artist Simon Pope was the 2023 waterfront artist-in-residence. During his residency, Pope created temporary artworks including pop-up performances, interactive installations and a series of soundscapes. Look back at his residency.

looking up at a red and white bridge and blue sky

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Opening of New Roads and Bridges Marks Major Milestone for Port Lands Flood Protection

Today marked the opening of two new roads and bridges that will link the future Villiers Island to downtown Toronto, as well as the surrounding Port Lands.

Rendering: people on a tree-lined pathway in a park.

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Announcing the New Waterfront Accessibility Advisory Committee

Following a call for applications earlier this fall, Waterfront Toronto is pleased to announce the Waterfront Accessibility Advisory Committee members. Read about the committee and its members.

Rendering of people walking along the Water's Edge Promenade

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Help Shape Quayside's Streets and Public Spaces

On November 20, approximately 100 people joined us to learn more about Quayside’s streets and public spaces. Review the presentation and take the survey to help shape Quayside.

Three actors performing in a park.

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Art Inspired By People Who Live and Work on the Waterfront

Learn about Simon Pope's work as the third waterfront artist-in-residence, including producing a pop-up performance series inspired by people who live and work on the waterfront in September.

four women cutting the ribbon at an opening celebration

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Waterfront Toronto and the City of Toronto open new Aquabella child care centre on Toronto’s waterfront

October 19, 2023, Toronto, ON— Today, Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik (Spadina-Fort York) was joined by Meg Davis, Chief Development Officer, Waterfront Toronto and Anne Babcock, President & CEO WoodGreen Community Services, to officially open the Aquabella Child Care Centre at 75 Edgewater Dr.

Overhead map showing Villiers Island.

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6 FAQs about Villiers Island

We’re working with the City of Toronto and Create TO to update density and massing plans for Villiers Island to accommodate more housing, including affordable housing.

Granite slabs in a park form Terry Fox's silhouette.

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Terry Fox Legacy Art Project unveiled beside the Toronto Music Garden

Today, Mayor Olivia Chow and Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik (Spadina-Fort York) joined Darrell Fox, brother of Terry Fox, to reveal the new public art project “We Are Shaped by the Obstacles We Face”, which commemorates the legacy of Canadian humanitarian and activist Terry Fox.

Toronto from above with bridge location circle.

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Tell Us What You Think of the Keating Channel Pedestrian Bridge Design Competition Proposals

On September 28, Waterfront Toronto, the City of Toronto, in collaboration with Host Nation and Treaty Holder, the Mississaguas of the Credit First Nation, hosted virtual design competition presentations by the five (5) shortlisted design teams for the Keating Channel Pedestrian Bridge.

Two cyclists on the Martin Goodman Trail.

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Making Toronto’s Waterfront One of the Most Accessible and Inclusive in the World

Waterfront Toronto is pleased to launch our inaugural draft Waterfront Accessibility Design Guidelines for public comment.

Illustration of Quayside's public spaces outlined in green.

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Leading with Ecology: Quayside's Infrastructure and Public Realm

Quayside's public realm opportunities will help activate the waterfront, meet the needs of residents, celebrate the ecology of the area and establish it as a destination.

construction of a public art in a new park

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Legacy Art Project honouring Terry Fox aims to inspire visitors

In the coming weeks, on behalf of the City of Toronto, we will be completing the delivery of the Legacy Art Project, a new permanent art installation on the waterfront dedicated to the spirit of courage, determination, and action that Terry Fox embodied.

Illuminated pink umbrellas at Cherry Beach at night.

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Leading with Design Excellence and Innovation

We strive to be a leader in design excellence and planning, working to enhance the social and cultural value of Toronto's waterfront by creating a landscape and built environment that make all Canadians proud.

Blue pipes stacked in front of a bridge in a construction site.

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The Invisible Transformation Underway in the Port Lands

As Toronto grows, the infrastructure to support new neighbourhoods and increasing population needs to grow with it. Basic infrastructure like watermains, storm sewers and sanitary sewers are usually out of sight and out of mind, but you’re sure to notice if they aren’t working! Port Lands Flood Protection is making space for a new community right downtown, allowing the city to grow sustainably. So the project also includes hidden underground infrastructure to support everyday life.

Rendering: a busy park with a curved bridge in the background.

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Creating Extraordinary Public Spaces

Beautiful, inviting and vibrant parks and green spaces are essential to the transformation of the waterfront and remain among the priorities that matter most to our stakeholders. Read how we continue adding to the more than 25 parks we’ve already delivered or enhanced.

People enjoy a market along a promenade on the waterfront.

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How We Design Flexible Streets

Merchants’ Wharf is designed to be easily closed to vehicular traffic. Here’s how that increases public access to the waterfront.