Located on the shore of Lake Ontario in Etobicoke, Mimico Waterfront Park connects people to the water across a lakefront area that historically has lacked public access to the waterfront. The park provides 1.1 kilometre of linear waterfront park space between Norris Crescent Parkette and Humber Bay Park West.

Waterfront Toronto, in partnership with Toronto and Region Conservation, opened the first 600 metre (Phase One) western portion of the park in 2008. The final 500 metres of linear park (Phase Two) enables Torontonians to enjoy the lakefront west of Humber Bay Park West for the first time and provides the missing link in the city’s waterfront trail system.  The second phase opened to the public in October 2012.

Mimico Waterfront Park was designed with sustainability and the native ecology of the area as key considerations. Restoration and shoreline enhancements to terrestrial and aquatic habitats are vital elements of the park’s design and construction. The park was constructed through a lake-filling process along a narrow section of the existing shoreline in order to connect existing local parks.

In addition to adding a new section of the very popular multi-use waterfront trail, Phase One included the creation of shoreline, embayment and breakwater features, and terrestrial and aquatic habitat enhancements.

Phase Two includes native plantings and the creation of small pockets of wetland habitat between the boardwalk and shoreline that provide fish and wildlife habitat and soften the shoreline treatment.

The new park trail allows local residents and the public to enjoy recreational activities along the trail or along the improved shoreline and provides a beautiful route along the water to walk, cycle or skate through the neighbourhood.

Phase One, which opened in 2008, begins at Norris Crescent Parkette and stretches east to Superior Avenue. Phase Two, which begins at Superior Avenue and stretches east to Humber Bay Park West, began in July 2011 and was completed in October 2012.

One of Waterfront Toronto’s primary objectives for revitalization is to leverage public investment in parks and public spaces to deliver key economic and social benefits. The investment in Mimico Waterfront Park will deliver far more than much needed waterfront public space. It is also a catalyst for re-invigorating the local economy.

Mimico is a neighbourhood that the City of Toronto has targeted for revitalization and Mimico Waterfront Park is an important asset that helps to enhance and strengthen the area. Creating access to the lake and better waterfront park space is one of the strategies the City has identified to help attract investment in the area.

The City of Toronto, Mimico community and various stakeholders have been working towards implementing the Mimico 20/20: A Revitalization Action Plan. The Plan provides a long-term revitalization strategy that builds on the area’s strengths and creates new opportunities for positive incremental change

along the Lake Shore Boulevard corridor between Royal York Road and the Mimico Creek. The goal of the initiative is to realize a stronger future for Mimico.

Key themes include redevelopment opportunities, improving access and views to the waterfront and parkland, and main street revitalization.

Creating additional park land at the water’s edge has already provided a welcome boost to the local economy. The first phase of the park has been well received and well used by local residents since it opened in 2008 and has helped to attract new businesses and residents to the area.

Included the creation of two small headlands and three cobble beaches, a rounded shoreline at the foot of Superior Avenue and a new section of the very popular multi-use waterfront trail. A partly sheltered embayment, a boardwalk and a sand dune feature in the backshore was created at Amos Waites Park. Terrestrial and aquatic habitat enhancement work was also undertaken.

Construction created a new 500 metre long section of the waterfront trail. Features include a 250 metre cantilevered boardwalk, a separate multi-use trail located along the backshore that provides cycling and in-line skating access adjacent to the boardwalk, small pockets of wetland habitat and landscaping and park lighting. Phase Two also includes the creation of small pockets of wetland habitat and native plantings.

The Mimico Waterfront Linear Park Project was developed through an extensive public consultation process that began in 1999 and included the formation of a working group, composed of private and public stakeholders. Public input and consultation continued into the implementation phase through the Working Implementation Group.