Port Union Waterfront Park
The final phase of the park has transformed the shoreline east from Port Union Road to Rouge Beach Park. The park now provides 13.5 hectares of waterfront green space and 3.8 kilometers of continuous waterfront trail between Highland Creek and the Rouge River.
An official opening celebration is planned for spring 2013.
Project Update
The Port Union Waterfront Project is a unique park amenity on the Lake Ontario waterfront located between the mouth of Highland Creek and the Rouge River.
The Port Union Waterfront Park - Phase 1 has been open to the public since 2006. You can access the first phase of the park via the pedestrian bridge over Highland Creek from East Point Park or via the pedestrian underpass at the Village Common. Parking is available at East Point Park. You can access to second phase of the park from Rouge Beach Park in the east and through the pedestrian tunnel at the Rouge Hills GO Station.
Park visitors are encouraged to use public transit, including the GO Train, to visit the park.
Click to download the Phase 2 Landscape Plan - 2,336K 
Click to download the Community Newsletter, Spring 2012
The Project
The Port Union Waterfront Park Project will result in the creation of a unique park amenity on the Lake Ontario waterfront between the mouth of Highland Creek and the Rouge River. The implementation of this project will include improved recreational access to the waterfront, 3.8 km of waterfront trail, shoreline protection and the creation of additional terrestrial and aquatic habitat. Funding of $25 million for this project is provided by the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation.
Click to view Phase 1 and Phase 2 Concept Plans.
Project Objectives
The Port Union Waterfront Park Project was developed to achieve the following objectives:
- Provide safe access to the Port Union shoreline and connecting trail systems
- Integrate the recommendations of the Shoreline Regeneration and Public Safety, Natural Heritage and Public Use Strategies of TRCA's Integrated Shoreline Management Plan into any proposed development within the Port Union area
- Assist with the completion of the Lake Ontario Greenway through this section of Toronto in cooperation with the Waterfront Regeneration Trust and local municipalities
- Provide natural linkages between the lake and greenspace within the Port Union community between Highland Creek to the west and the Rouge River to the east
- Improve and enhance the terrestrial and aquatic habitats within this shoreline corridor
Project Approvals
Click to download the Port Union Waterfront Park Project Environmental Assessment Study -11,643K
TRCA received Approval to Proceed with the Port Union Waterfront Park Project from the Ministry of the Environment under subsection 7(1) of the Environmental Assessment Act on May 2, 2001. The environmental assessment was prepared as directed by the Terms of Reference, as approved by the Minister of the Environment on June 9, 1998.
In December 2003, Transport Canada, as the agency through which funds flowed from the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation, triggered the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act process. TRCA was notified on June 4, 2004, pursuant to subsection 20(1) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act that the Responsible Authority (Transport Canada) made a determination that the Port Union Waterfront Park Project could proceed.
Immediately following this notification, the Responsible Authority became Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). Further to Transport Canada's notification to proceed, HRSDC made a determination that the project would not cause significant adverse environmental effects and notified TRCA on July 28, 2004 that the project could proceed.
Further authorizations and approvals which were secured in support of the project include:
- Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation - Approved Cultural Heritage Resource Study
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans - Fish Habitat Management Authorization for the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat pursuant to subsection 35 (2) of the Fisheries Act
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans - Canada Coast Guard Section 5 (1) of the Navigable Waters Protection Act and Exemption under Section 5 (2) of the Navigable Waters Protection Act
- Ministry of Natural Resources - Section 2, Ontario Regulation 453/96, Public Lands Act
Public and Agency Consultation
The Port Union Waterfront Park Project was developed through an extensive public consultation process that included the formation of a working group, composed of private and public stakeholders, to guide the project. A comprehensive listing and details of all meetings and events pertaining to the development of the project is provided in the Environmental Assessment document. Public input and consultation continues into the implementation phase through the Working Implementation Committee and Open House Community Meetings on construction progress.
For more information, please contact Nancy Gaffney, Waterfront Specialist at 416-661-6600, ext. 5313.
