Descriptive Transcript: Toronto’s Largest Park in a Generation Just Got Bigger

This is a descriptive transcript for our YouTube Video: Toronto’s Largest Park in a Generation Just Got Bigger

[DESCRIPTION:] The video opens with an aerial view of Biidaasige Park looking east. The Don River and Cherry South Bridge are centered in the frame. The scene transitions to a sunrise over the Toronto skyline.

[AUDIO:] Last summer we came together to open Biidaasige Park, Toronto's largest park in a generation and today that park is getting even bigger.

[DESCRIPTION:]  Kevin Sullivan, Chair of the Waterfront Toronto Board of Directors, speaks at the opening event. The shot shifts to another aerial view of the newly opened section of the park, highlighting its pathways, with the Atlas Crane and Canoe Cove visible in the background. A series of wide shots showcase different areas of the park and its abundant natural landscape and wildlife.

[AUDIO:] These ten new acres of parkland are bringing Canoe Cove, a new 3,000-person event lawn.

[DESCRIPTION:]  Aerial views continue to showcase the park's new amenities and waterfront landscape.

[AUDIO:] This is going to become Toronto's newest postcard view.

[DESCRIPTION:] The video returns to an aerial view facing west, with Canoe Cove in the foreground. The new event lawn is filled with visitors, chairs, and a podium. On-screen text reads, "TORONTO'S LARGEST PARK IN A GENERATION JUST GOT BIGGER." A water taxi, cyclists, and pedestrians move through the scene before the shot returns to the skyline looking west.

[DESCRIPTION:]  Delegates arrive by water taxi at a dock in the park and walk along the boardwalk connecting the dock to shore. A marching band comes into view, led by trumpet players and accompanied by other musicians. Delegates and guests wave streamers as they follow the band along the park pathways. The camera alternates between the musicians and the guests participating in the procession.

[AUDIO:] The band's music continues to play.

[DESCRIPTION:] Additional band members carrying large drums and a tuba join the procession as more visitors gather and follow the celebration through the park. Some participants wear Indigenous regalia and dance along the route.

[AUDIO:] And right here is where those first homes will be built. This will become a neighbourhood where everyone can live and thrive, an incredible mix of nature and culture, all connected by new public transit. When the first residents move in, they will be right next to Biidaasige Park, the largest park to open in Toronto in a generation.

[DESCRIPTION:] The Honourable Todd McCarthy, Ontario's Acting Minister of Infrastructure, speaks at a podium with the Toronto skyline and harbour behind him. A fire boat is visible in the distance. The video cuts to archival aerial footage showing the area as industrial land and parking lots before transitioning to current aerial views of the park's green landscape and the new mouth of the Don River.

[AUDIO:] If we stood here in this very same spot just a few years ago, we would have been surrounded by industrial land, at risk of flooding and with no housing potential. But today, a new community is taking shape.

[DESCRIPTION:] Councillor Paula Fletcher, representing Toronto-Danforth, speaks at the podium. Aerial footage highlights the expanded Don River and surrounding greenery. The video also captures moments from the opening celebration, including Indigenous drummers and dancers.

[AUDIO:] In 2008, we looked at how we could flood proof the east end of the city and in 2026 we have this dream turned into a new reality.  

[DESCRIPTION:] Chief Margaret Sault of Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation speaks at the podium. Scenes show visitors gathered on the event lawn, a canoe resting on the beach, a traditional water ceremony, and dancers participating in the celebration.

[AUDIO:] It's an opportunity to reconnect people with the land, the water, and the stories that have existed here for many, many generations.  

[DESCRIPTION:] Chi Nguyen, Member of Parliament for Spadina-Harbourfront, speaks at the podium. The video transitions to aerial footage of people walking, cycling, and running along the park's trails, surrounded by green space.

[AUDIO:] As new neighbourhoods continue to grow around us; spaces like this become our shared backyard.  

[DESCRIPTION:] A family speaks directly to the camera about their experience visiting the park. The video cuts to people paddling stand-up paddleboards in Canoe Cove. As the family continues speaking, they gesture toward the water while more paddlers pass by.

[AUDIO:] We came along this edge here and then walked along the promenade. Lots of space for this little guy. He was really enjoying walking near the water and watching the kayaks. Music continues.
 

[DESCRIPTION:] Laura Solano of MVVA speaks at the podium. Paddleboarders continue to explore Canoe Cove. The video then transitions to Mayor Olivia Chow speaking at the podium.

[AUDIO:] Music continues.

[DESCRIPTION:] Mayor Olivia Chow speaks at the opening event. Stone steps nestled within the landscape are shown while a child plays nearby. The video cuts to a picnic area where visitors gather beneath large red shade sails. The Toronto skyline is visible in the background.

[AUDIO:] We have the provincial and the federal government joining in because once you have a vision, when you believe in it, things can happen.

[AUDIO:] Music continues.

[DESCRIPTION:] Close-up footage shows hands shaping clay during an art activity, followed by children participating in the workshop. The scene then transitions to another aerial view of the park looking southwest.

[AUDIO:] The moment I heard about that they were going to build this Canoe Cove. I've been wanting to paddle it.

[DESCRIPTION:] A visitor speaks directly to the camera from a kayak floating on the water. Colourful fish-shaped kites sway in the breeze overhead.

[AUDIO:] The big highlight was checking out the art walk.

[DESCRIPTION:] Two visitors stand in front of a public artwork and speak directly to the camera. The scene transitions to a child and an adult seated on a large rock as they continue sharing their experience.

[AUDIO:] Checking out all the new trails and the cool Atlas Crane which we learned about. So we kind of came through near the Atlas Crane Canoe Cove along the promenade here and then climbed up to the highest point to get a little overlook.
 

[DESCRIPTION:] An aerial view looking west from behind the Atlas Crane comes into view. Two additional visitors speak directly to the camera, intercut with scenes of people walking and cycling through the park. A low-angle shot highlights the park's greenery against the Toronto skyline.

[AUDIO:] It's also been a real treat to see all of the great artwork that's dotting the new park.

[DESCRIPTION:] Various public art installations throughout the park are featured as the visitors continue speaking. The video then returns to the opening ceremony, with Chloe Catan of the Lassonde Art Trail speaking at the podium, followed by George Zegarac, President and CEO of Waterfront Toronto. An aerial shot from behind the audience shows attendees gathered along the waterfront, with a fire boat visible in the harbour.

[AUDIO:] Music continues.

[DESCRIPTION:] Stilt walkers and performers dressed in blue peacock-inspired costumes move in synchronized formations as attendees watch the performance. Julie Dabrusin, Member of Parliament for Toronto—Danforth and Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature, speaks at the opening event.

[AUDIO:] We were able to work together to make beautiful things happen for our city and I can't wait to see what more we can do.

[DESCRIPTION:] A fire boat spins in the harbour while spraying water in all directions. The video cuts to visitors relaxing on a picnic blanket on the event lawn, followed by a group photo featuring delegates, performers, stilt walkers, and dancers.

[AUDIO]: Thank you to all of the partners. Thank you to Waterfront Toronto.

[DESCRIPTION:] Animated blue waves gradually fade onto the screen, becoming fully opaque. White text fades in at the center of the screen.]   

[ON-SCREEN TEXT: The Next Wave of Waterfront Revitalization]   

[DESCRIPTION:] The animated blue waves move across the screen, resembling water. The text fades out and is replaced by new white text.]   

[ON-SCREEN TEXT: New Housing. New Destinations. New Transit.]   

[DESCRIPTION:] The screen fades to white. The Waterfront Toronto logo appears, accompanied by black text in the center of the screen. At the bottom of the screen the logos of the Government of Canada, Province of Ontario and City of Toronto appear.]   

[ON-SCREEN TEXT: Discover more waterfrontoronto.ca]