CreateTO celebrates completion of the Unwin Avenue Trail in Toronto’s Port Lands

November 28, 2023 – Yesterday, CreateTO celebrated the completion of the Unwin Avenue Trail in Toronto’s Port Lands by joining landscapers from Ecoman to seed the meadow areas along the multi-use trail.

The new 400-metre trail branches off the Martin Goodman Trail and follows Unwin Avenue, improving pedestrian access to Cherry Beach Sports Fields and Cherry Beach. The project, delivered by CreateTO and championed by Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher, enhances the public realm, improves pedestrian safety, creates opportunities to build ecological growth through native species and supports the beautification of Unwin Avenue.

CreateTO partnered with The Planning Partnership to take a significant first step towards revitalizing the streetscape along Unwin Avenue, with a focus on ecological improvements and wayfinding. The design of the Unwin Avenue Trail minimizes tree impacts, introduces new tree planting and seeding, and creates naturalized wildflower meadow areas. Seeds for the meadow areas are being sourced from the Toronto Seed Strategy Pilot Orchard and other local providers.

 The project received a $750,000-non-repayable contribution from the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), to help reimagine these community spaces by improving infrastructure, while maintaining accessibility standards.

 The long-term plan is to extend the new trail further east to improve pedestrian and cycling access along the length of Unwin Avenue.  

Quotes:

“This extension to the Unwin Avenue Trail increases safety for pedestrians and cyclists travelling to and from Cherry Beach and the Cherry Beach Sports Fields and invites them to enjoy the many benefits that come with being outside in nature. This is a great example of how transforming an underutilized outdoor space can not only benefit our ecosystem, but enrich the community around it.”

— Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth)

“The Unwin Avenue Trail extension represents a community-building project that takes pedestrians and cyclists off the street and provides a safe and ecologically rich connection along Unwin Avenue to Cherry Beach and the recreation facilities. We are thankful to the Government of Canada, which enabled us to complete this section of the trail and support the animation of Unwin Avenue. This project is just one of several initiatives underway to preserve and create new green space in the Port Lands, with our next project, Leslie Lookout Park, opening to the public next summer.”

— Vic Gupta, CEO, CreateTO

About CreateTO

CreateTO was formed in 2018 as the City of Toronto’s real estate agency. The organization brings together stakeholders, partners and community members to ensure the best use of the City’s real estate assets for today and tomorrow. CreateTO manages the City’s $27 billion real estate portfolio, develops City buildings and lands for municipal purposes and delivers client-focused real estate solutions – ensuring a balance of both community and economic benefits. For more information, visit www.createto.ca.

 About FedDev Ontario

For 14 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

 Media contacts:
Susan O’Neill
CreateTO
Director, Communications and Marketing
soneill@createto.ca