Morningside Legacy Project

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is undertaking Morningside Legacy Project, with support from the City of Toronto.

This project aims to restore Indigenous presence within the Toronto region by creating culturally informed spaces for ceremony, storytelling, and shared learning in Morningside Park.

Project Location

The project area is located in Morningside Park, west of Morningside Avenue and south of Ellesmere Road, in the City of Toronto.

Learn More About the Project

Project Background

TRCA has designed a series of Indigenous outdoor gathering spaces, co-developed with the Williams Treaty First Nation communities and guided by 4 Directions Conservation Consulting Services, Stefan Bolliger Associates Inc., and SpruceLab.

Together, these spaces are known as the Morningside Legacy Project.

Implemented in phases over time as funding becomes available, this project will feature five installations interpreting First Nation history and cultural significance.

Aligned with the strategic goals of both the City of Toronto and TRCA, the outdoor gathering spaces at Morningside Park will foster shared learning experiences and celebration of the natural and Indigenous cultural history of the area.

Scope of Work

Phase 1 of the project spanned from 2019 to 2022, and laid the groundwork for the project vision.

This phase included:

Completion of a site assessment
Development of an Indigenous Engagement Plan
Establishment of an Indigenous Working Group
Development of a guiding vision
Completion of preliminary design concepts

Phase 1 resulted in the development of a preliminary concept plan for an educational trail with a series of five gathering spaces.

The following concept sketches illustrate the vision for each of the areas:

concept sketch of the Morningside Legacy Project station 1 — Station 1 is an introductory space, welcoming visitors and providing an overview of First Nations history.

concept sketch of the Morningside Legacy Project station 2 — Station 2 features a healing garden designed in the shape of a turtle, reflecting Indigenous creation stories.

concept sketch of the Morningside Legacy Project station 3 — Station 3 highlights the significance of salmon and other animals in the park.

concept sketch of the Morningside Legacy Project station 4 — Station 4 offers a gathering space for storytelling and meditation, shaped like a traditional medicine wheel.

concept sketch of the Morningside Legacy Project station 5 — Station 5 celebrates the forest and is an opportunity to share more of the First Nations story through a guided walk and installations and rest areas.

In 2023, TRCA commenced Phase 2 of the project.

This phase of work included refinement of the preliminary concepts developed in Phase 1 for all five gathering areas, along with advancing detailed design of the first installation in 2024.

Implementation of the first gathering space, the introductory story, was generously funded by TD Bank Group and proudly unveiled in June 2025.