Opening of Section 3 Brings The Meadoway Closer to Realizing a Connected 16-kilometre Green Corridor across Scarborough.
August 26, 2026, Toronto, ON – On August 25, 2026 Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), alongside the Weston Family Foundation, the Government of Canada, and the City of Toronto, celebrated the opening of a new section of The Meadoway, marking an important step toward a fully connected trail and ecological corridor across Scarborough.
The newly opened portion of Section 3 extends from south of Arsandco Park, across Midland Avenue, to Marcos Boulevard, south of Lawrence Avenue East. It includes 1.1 kilometres of new multi-use trail, a signalized crossing at Midland Avenue, and a pedestrian-cyclist bridge over a tributary of Highland Creek.
Together, these improvements make it safer and easier for users to move through the corridor and connect with surrounding neighbourhoods, parks, natural areas, schools, transit routes, and other community destinations.
Once fully complete, The Meadoway will transform approximately 200 hectares of hydro corridor lands into one of Canada’s largest naturalized urban green spaces. The 16-kilometre corridor will connect the East Don Trail in the west with Rouge National Urban Park in the east, creating a continuous route through Scarborough and linking communities across the region.
The opening of Section 3 supports active transportation while helping to connect communities to nature.
The Meadoway further supports TRCA’s Trail Strategy goal of establishing a 1,000-kilometre regional trail network extending from Lake Ontario to the Greenbelt. It will also connect to the Loop Trail, an initiative led in partnership by the City of Toronto, Evergreen, the Toronto Foundation, and TRCA.
In support of the trail infrastructure, custom public-realm amenities, including benches, gathering areas, and wayfinding, are being implemented in step with the trail implementation to enhance user comfort and experience.
The project also advances TRCA’s ecological objectives for the corridor. Through the conversion of traditionally mowed monoculture turf into diverse native meadow habitat, The Meadoway supports pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while strengthening biodiversity, reducing flood risk, and supporting climate resilience.
The restoration of meadow habitat helps to strengthen biodiversity and climate resilience.
Community participation has been central to the development of The Meadoway. TRCA works with nearby residents, schools, volunteers, and community organizations through public outreach opportunities including educational field trips, guided walks, restoration activities, litter cleanups, gardening workshops, and hands-on environmental learning.
These programs give community members opportunities to help care for the corridor while learning about native plants, pollinators, invasive species, climate resilience, and the ecological importance of urban greenspaces.
The Meadoway has been made possible through the vision and transformative support of the Weston Family Foundation, working in partnership with TRCA, the City of Toronto, the Government of Canada, and local communities. TRCA has also worked closely with Hydro One Networks Inc. and Infrastructure Ontario to facilitate restoration and trail work on these provincially owned and managed lands.
Overall funding to advance The Meadoway includes a $25-million investment from the Weston Family Foundation with $19 million in additional funding raised from other sources to leverage that contribution. The federal government has invested over $5.6 million through the Natural Infrastructure Fund for the multi-use trail in Section 6 and Section 3, $1.05 million through Parks Canada for public realm enhancements, and over $4.3 million through the Active Transportation Fund supporting public realm improvements across the corridor, including permanent furnishings and wayfinding signage. The Active Transportation Funding is conditional on fulfilling all requirements related to consultation with Indigenous groups and environmental assessment obligations, and the signing of the contribution agreement.
Quotes:
“The Government of Canada is proud to support the creation of this multi-use trail through the vital greenspace in Scarborough. This trail will allow residents to travel to work, school, and other daily essentials while being active and supporting a sustainable environment.”
– Jennifer McKelvie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
“The Meadoway trail is an innovative and sustainable space, providing access to nature and active transportation routes in the midst of Scarborough. This greenspace marks an important step in transforming underused areas into vibrant community assets that create a healthy and connected environment.”
– Salma Zahid, Member of Parliament, Scarborough Centre—Don Valley East
“The Meadoway project is transforming what once was a hydro corridor into a vibrant greenspace, bringing people closer to nature while fostering stronger connections across communities. This new and critical link to Rouge National Urban Park will allow people to discover all the natural beauty and cultural heritage that Canada’s first national urban park has to offer.”
– The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature
“The Meadoway shows what is possible when ambitious philanthropy, public-sector leadership, and community commitment come together around a shared vision. Our Foundation is proud to fund a project that is transforming underused urban land into a vibrant natural corridor where people and nature can thrive. We hope The Meadoway will serve as an example for cities across Canada seeking innovative ways to strengthen biodiversity, climate resilience, and community connections.”
– Christian Bauta, Chair of the Weston Family Foundation
“The Meadoway reflects years of collaboration to transform underused spaces into vibrant greenspaces that support active transportation, strengthen climate resilience, and connect Toronto communities to parks and meadow habitat.”
– James Nowlan, Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, City of Toronto
“The opening of the new Section 3 trail and bridge puts another vital connection in place in this part of Scarborough, making it safer and easier for people to move through this part of the City while experiencing nature close to home. This milestone reflects TRCA’s continued collaboration with the Weston Family Foundation, the City of Toronto, Hydro One, Parks Canada, and other community partners to create a connected, ecologically vibrant corridor. TRCA is also grateful to the Government of Canada, through Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, for the additional funding announced, which will build on this progress by supporting further improvements to accessibility, wayfinding, and public amenities across The Meadoway.”
– John MacKenzie, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
About Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
Since 1957, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), as enabled through the provincial Conservation Authorities Act, has taken action to enhance our region’s natural environment and protect our land, water, and communities from the impacts of flooding and increasingly extreme weather events – Ontario’s leading cause of public emergencies.
As the region’s first line of defence against natural hazards, TRCA maintains vital infrastructure and provides programs and services that promote public health and safety, protecting people and property. TRCA mobilizes a science-based approach to provide sound policy advice, leveraging its position as a not-for-profit operating in the broader public sector to achieve collective impacts within our communities and across all levels of government.
TRCA’s dedication to its employees and sustainability has earned it recognition as both one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers and one of Canada’s Greenest Employers. These distinctions, along with its Certificate of Recognition (COR) certification for health and safety, highlight TRCA’s commitment to fostering a supportive, innovative, safe, and environmentally responsible workplace – dedicated to driving meaningful change and create lasting positive impacts in the communities it serves.
TRCA’s jurisdiction includes nine watersheds and their Lake Ontario shorelines, spanning six upper-tier and fifteen lower-tier municipalities and representing over five million people, over 12% of Canada’s population.
To learn more about TRCA, visit trca.ca.
Media Contact
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
Afiya Jilani
Specialist, Communication and Media Relations
Communications, Marketing and Events
afiya.jilani@trca.ca
media@trca.ca