The Ontario government has unveiled the final designs for the new Ontario Place public space, marking a major milestone in the transformation of Toronto’s waterfront. The reimagined Ontario Place will offer more than 50 acres of free public trails, expanded green space, playgrounds, interactive fountains, new beaches, event spaces and an updated marina, all designed to create a world-class waterfront destination that will attract up to six million visitors every year.
“Infrastructure Ontario is proud to be part of the new Ontario Place, bringing this iconic destination back to life. The public realm design you see today was informed and developed through significant public engagement, Indigenous engagement, and stakeholder input. The new parking structure will ensure easy access to the site. Together, we will be creating an Ontario Place for everyone to enjoy.”
Angela Clayton – Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Ontario
The designs, informed by consultations with First Nations and Indigenous groups, were led by design firm LANDInc and showcase an accessible and inclusive green space organized into five zones: The Forum, The Mainland, The Marina, The Water’s Edge, and Brigantine Cove, which will feature the Indigenous Cultural Pavilion.
“Increasing public access to the water and restoring native plants and trees, while celebrating local Indigenous histories, creates vibrant spaces for urban communities to connect with the natural environment and promotes land-based education and overall health and well-being. The public park designs reveal a deep respect for the land and reflect the spirit of Mino Bimaadiziwin-the good life.”
Elder Shelley Charles, MinoKamik
LANDinc’s designs reflect innovative environmental initiatives at the core of this redevelopment, with the park being rehabilitated through new shoreline protection features, flood mitigation measures, soil remediation and capping, and further enhancements, ensuring Ontario Place remains a thriving, safe and sustainable destination for future generations.
The new public park at Ontario Place will preserve key heritage and recreational features of the site while connecting to all the new attractions and features, all while offering free public access to the waterfront for residents and tourists alike to explore year-round.
BRIGANTINE COVE
A north-facing sand beach offers year-round activities, complemented by a nearly 3,400 sq. ft. Indigenous Cultural Pavilion designed in collaboration with rights-bearing First Nations and urban Indigenous groups. This multi-purpose community space will be surrounded by native plantings and diverse habitats, creating a rich ecological and cultural landscape.
Adjacent to the beach, a carefully designed ecosystem will feature vegetative wetlands and repurposed shorelines supporting diverse aquatic and terrestrial wildlife.
The new east bridge, located to the east of Brigantine Cove, will be a key feature allowing additional water circulation and access for fish into the cove for refuge, connecting the Toronto waterfront to Ontario Place.
A stunning attraction is the towering Tree of Life – a multi-level treehouse with hanging pods, rope pathways and slides, while the nearby Turtle Playground with giant wooden turtles will create an immersive nature experience for all ages.
THE FORUM
At the heart of the East Island, a one-acre interactive fountain inspired by Ontario’s provincial flower, the Trillium, will serve as the park’s centerpiece. This visually striking feature will offer a dynamic water play space with vibrant evening light displays. This area will transform for various events, from markets and Indigenous pow-wows to ice sculpture festivals, ensuring year-round community engagement.
The Japanese Canadian Centennial Temple Bell, a 1,200-pound bronze Temple Bell gifted to the province in 1977 on behalf of over 17,000 Japanese Canadians living in Ontario, commemorates a century of Japanese settlement in Canada. Housed in a Raymond Moriyama-designed belfry, the carefully preserved bell will have a new home when it is reinstalled in one of the most prominent locations in the park.
New Woodland Trails: Extending from Trillium Park’s south point, new woodlots will surround existing and newly created topography, protecting the Forum during shoulder seasons. These areas will feature hundreds of diverse native trees and flora, enhancing hillside ecology and creating new wildlife habitats while allowing for visitor exploration. This significant ecological enhancement will transform the previously underutilized east island.
THE MAINLAND
Seamlessly connecting the city to the park, the mainland will feature a vibrant new sand beach designed for year-round programming including food stalls and pop-up events, plus new spaces for lively recreational activities. A gently sloping grass berm, shade trees and accessible paths will create a welcoming waterfront promenade. New gateways will provide free and easy access to the park’s multiple entrances.
THE MARINA
The new marina landscape designs feature upgraded shorelines with open-air pavilions, wide promenades, viewing steps and spaces for exploration by foot or boat and plenty of shade. Future plans include enhanced in-water and land-based boating amenities to reinvigorate Lake Ontario’s favourite marina.
THE WATER’S EDGE
Massive stones, weighing between seven to 12 tonnes, will form a natural amphitheater overlooking the ever-changing scenes of Lake Ontario. Visitors will enjoy a year-round, front row seat at the water’s edge, while the design also protects the shoreline from erosion.
“Ontario Place holds a special place in our city’s diverse heritage and LANDinc is honoured to lead the design of this public waterfront park, establishing the green heart of this world-class destination. These designs carefully integrate landscape architecture, infrastructure and the natural environment, driven by our commitment to urban park revitalization, the transformation of public spaces and the celebration of Indigenous cultures. In collaboration with our talented team, this project embodies the province’s vision of creating vibrant, sustainable and welcoming spaces for all — residents, visitors and future generations.”
Patrick Morello – Senior Principal, LANDinc
Ontario Science Centre
The Ontario Science Centre is relocating to a new facility in the heart of Ontario Place, sparking curiosity and scientific exploration for a new generation of visitors. The enlarged exhibition space will inspire young people to discover the many dimensions of science in new and exciting ways. Science based programming aligns perfectly with the original vision of Ontario Place as a hub for education and visionary innovation.
Therme Canada
Therme Canada will create an all-season, family-friendly health and wellness destination featuring water activities, relaxation spaces, and vibrant dining experiences for all ages and interests.
A festival gathering space, beach and public pier have been included as new additions to the upgraded West Island public park.
Live Nation
Live Nation Canada will revitalize the existing amphitheatre into a modern, sustainable venue for exceptional live music and entertainment experiences.
Parking
To ensure that visitors have convenient and direct access to everything Ontario Place has to offer, the province is building a new onsite, above-ground parking structure, with up to 3,500 spaces for vehicles.
