New park connecting downtown Toronto to Rouge National Urban Park
By Newinhomes on Apr 13, 2018
Scarborough is getting a 500-acre linear park! Dubbed The Meadoway, the project is a collaboration between Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), the City of Toronto, and The W. Garfield Weston Foundation.
The 16 kilometers of transmission corridor in Scarborough will become one linear greenspace, connecting 34 neighbourhoods, 15 parks, four ravines, and many other natural features of our urban environment. The Meadoway is also an east-west link between downtown Toronto and Rouge National Urban Park.
“The Meadoway is the kind of community building project we’re thrilled to be a part of,” says John MacKenzie, CEO, TRCA. “By taking an underutilized infrastructure corridor and revitalizing it with plantings and new connections to the rest of the region, including Rouge National Urban Park, we are creating benefits for our natural world and the communities around The Meadoway. It truly is an innovative and remarkable conservation initiative.”
A 20 kilometer mixed-use trail will wind across The Meadoway, connecting Rouge National Urban Park and the East Don Trail. Cyclists in Scarborough will be able to access downtown without sharing a street with other vehicles for the majority of their ride.
“The Meadoway will create a transformative public space in the heart of Scarborough that will connect our communities and draw visitors from across the City and beyond,” says Mayor John Tory. “It is another example of what can be accomplished when we work with public, private and philanthropic partners to introduce innovative new public spaces for our residents to enjoy and which contribute to the ongoing vibrancy of our City.”
The Meadoway presents urban agriculture opportunities, the chance to scientifically examine meadow wildlife in an urban environment, and will definitely be a welcomed stretch of greenspace for Scarborough residents. More than 1,000 species of flora and fauna will thrive in The Meadoway, and millions of wildflowers and thousands of shrubs will be planted.
“As Canada’s cities continue to grow, we need to develop smarter ways to bring nature back into our neighbourhoods and our lives,” says Tamara Rebanks, Chair of the Conservation Committee, The W. Garfield Weston Foundation. “The Meadoway will be a catalyst for building a new kind of city park for Canada.”
With more than 500 kilometers and 4,200 acres of hydro corridors in Toronto region, The Meadoway is just the beginning of how these spaces can be used. Once complete, The Meadoway will hopefully be a world-class example of how to transform these underutilized spaces in other Canadian cities and in other countries.
