HUMBER BAY EAST AND WEST PARKS
The Humber Bay Parks system 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. An article in the Humber Happenings Fall 2006 Issue provides further information. See article HERE
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.
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, crosses Mimico Creek, and connects to the Mimico Waterfront Park at Grand Harbour. 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, which is maintained by HBSCA volunteers, and Spirit House.
Further information on the park system is provided at:
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/prd/facilities/complex/1073/index.htm
http://www.evergreen.ca/
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. Funding for the second phase was approved in September 2008 as part of Waterfront Toronto’s long-term plan. The official opening of Phase II was held on June 7, 2013.
The Park is just over one kilometer long, and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority began acquiring properties along the shoreline in 2005. Construction of Phase I, which stretches from Norris Crescent Parkette to Superior Avenue, started in June 2006. Phase II completes the park by connecting it the promenade at Grand Harbour.
HSBCA was a strong advocate for the Park, and 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.
The original concept for the development of a park along the shore of Lake Ontario was proposed in 1967 in The Waterfront Plan by Metropolitan Toronto. The plans included marinas, boat launching facilities, artificial lakes, and parks. Since then, these plans have steadily evolved through many studies and assessments, but the main reason for the development, to provide public access to the lake and to protect the habitats along the shore, has been steadfastly pursued. Phase I of the Park includes two small headlands, three cobble beaches, a rounded shoreline at the foot of Superior Avenue, sand dunes, and a partly sheltered inlets at Amos Waites Park. Phase II consists of a boardwalk and multi-use trail between Superior Avenue and Grand Harbour. The area features small pockets of wetlands between the boardwalk and the shoreline to enhance various habitats.