Toronto’s newest park celebrates its official opening on Saturday, September 14, and blogTO got a sneak preview of the impressive new Leslie Lookout Park in the burgeoning Port Lands area. The 1.9-acre park was built for a cost of approximately $8.5 million, with the majority of the funding coming from project lead CreateTO, with support from the City of Toronto and FedFev Ontario. Construction for Leslie Lookout Park began in February 2022, at the east end of the Ship Channel next to the foot of the Leslie Street Spit. After two and a half years and delays to the timeline, the CCxA-designed project is finally complete and ready for the public to enjoy.
The green space also features a playground, picnic tables, and a dog park, catering to a diverse range of needs and interests. The green space is designed to be a multi-functional space, offering a variety of activities and amenities. It is intended to be a place for people to relax, socialize, and enjoy the outdoors.
The tower, with its unique design and panoramic views, promises to be a must-visit attraction. The park’s design is inspired by the natural landscape of the area, incorporating elements of the surrounding flora and fauna. This approach creates a sense of harmony and connection with the environment, fostering a feeling of tranquility and peace.
The hardscaped surfaces of the beach and lookout tower are softened by a Miyawaki-inspired forest — the largest of its kind in Canada and the first in a Toronto park. It features roughly 5,000 plants of 45 different species, including 2,470 trees and 2,473 arborescent shrubs, in addition to approximately 1,260 forbs and grasses. In another first for a Toronto park, Leslie Slip Lookout is entirely cut off from the city’s sewer system, and features porous asphalt and sand that provide stormwater management for the space. Leslie Lookout Park officially opens at 12 Leslie Street on Sept. 14. To break in the new beach and lookout, the City will host an opening ceremony at the park from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., with the public invited to enjoy activities, including a DJ and a popsicle cart offering refreshments.
