Parks and Trails
HUMBER BAY EAST AND WEST PARKS
Humber Bay Park was developed by the former
Metropolitan Toronto and Region
Conservation Authority with 5.1 million
cubic metres of lake fill, at a cost of
$6.56 million.
Lieutenant-Governor John Black
Aird opened the park on June 11, 1984.
Several habitat restoration projects
have been initiated at Humber Bay Park,
including the planting of trees and shrubs, the establishment of
wildflower meadows and the creation of a
warm-water fish habitat and wetland on the east peninsula.
The park is also a popular
destination to view migrating birds.
The park has a number of amenities, such as picnic tables, walking trails, bicycle paths, and small beach areas. The Humber Bay Park Boating Federation and historic lighthouse are located at Humber Bay West, along with public boat launch ramps and moorings. Humber Bay Park East is home to Toronto's Air India Memorial.
The park maintains the recreational focus for residents
and visitors originally established
during the mid-1800s when a number of
hotels were built in the area.
TRCA
Air India Memorial – HH article in Fall 2006 issue
HUMBER BAY SHORES PARK
The Humber Bay Shores Waterfront Park is located along the waterfront, west of the Humber River, stretching along Marine Parade Drive to Park Lawn Road. Construction of the site began in July 1996 with the lake fill component of the park, and after completion of the award-winning pedestrian bridge across the Humber River in 1995.
The Humber Bay Shores Public Amenity Area was developed to create a diversity of habitats for wildlife and fish while providing an aesthetically pleasing location for recreational activities. The wetlands reflect the wilder, natural landscapes found in East Humber Bay Park, and combines fish habitat features with a storm water management area with opportunities for public access, interpretation and wildlife viewing. The park offers a separated system of walking and cycling trails, lookout areas, and closer contact with the water's edge along a series of cobble beaches and naturalized backshore areas.
The project also created a number of fish and wildlife habitat features. Three offshore islands provide a quiet backwater area for fish, complete with a diversity of features including rocky shorelines, log tangles and submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation.
It is also the home of the Butterfly Habitat, Butterfly Habitat which is maintained by HBSCA volunteers, and Spirit House. Spirit House – HH article in Summer 2006 issue
Links:
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/hbbh.htm
http://www.evergreen.ca/en/registry/view_project.php?ID=00205
http://www.thestar.com/article/472887
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=k&om=1&ll=43.618679,-79.477158&spn=0.015224,0.029268
MIMICO WATERFRONT PARK
The official opening of Phase I of the Mimico Waterfront Park on July 28, 2008 marked the (almost) end of a journey that spans the past 40 years. It was a celebration of vision, dedication and perseverance.
A press release issued on September 10, 2008 by Michael Ignatieff's office announced that funding for Phase II had been approved as part of Waterfront Toronto's long-term plan.
HSBCA has been a strong advocate for the
Park, and has participated in the many
working groups involved in its creation.
The construction and completion
of the Park is an example of a
concerted, collaborative effort of the
local community, and municipal,
provincial, and federal representatives.