Winter 2025 Project Update
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) has completed construction and planting on Phase 1 of the channel. Phase 2 of the channel work will commence in fall 2025.
About the Bramalea SNAP Eco Spaces
The Bramalea SNAP Action Plan recommends revitalizing older parks into Eco Spaces, with the objective of creating public spaces that enhance the natural environment, provide opportunity, and reflect the needs of the community.
Eastbourne, Earnscliffe, Fallingdale, Edgebrooke, Folkstone, and Knightsbridge Parks are public green spaces located in the K, E, and F sections of the Bramalea neighbourhood.
The first area of focus encompasses Eastbourne, Earnscliffe, Edgebrooke, and Fallingdale Parks. These adjacent parks are connected by Mimico Creek and occupy more than 30 ha of open space.
Implementation of Eco Space design in these parks is driven by the Mimico Creek Channel Restoration Project, led by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).
Eastbourne Park Eco Space
The Eastbourne Park Eco Space Project is currently underway in the Bramalea SNAP.
In 2023, The City of Brampton, in close collaboration with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), Region of Peel, and the local community, developed a concept plan to reshape Eastbourne Park into a thriving Eco Space.
The concept plan is guided by locally inspired objectives and incorporates key principles of the City of Brampton’s Eco Park Strategy, which fosters connected communities through a network of natural spaces interwoven throughout the city.
The Concept Plan
Select the image below to view the Eastbourne Park Eco Space Concept Plan full-sized.
The Eastbourne Park Eco Space concept plan includes and builds off the TRCA-led re-naturalization of the Mimico Creek, which is an ongoing project in the park.
This is a key component of the Eco Space development, as it involves the removal of the degraded concrete-lined channel and restoring the creek into a more natural meandering form.
Re-naturalization of Mimico Creek will:
- Improve water quality and fish and wildlife habitat
- Stabilize the creek
- Mitigate local flood damage
- Reduce maintenance costs
Mimico Creek Re-Naturalization: Before and After
Select the images below to view full-sized.
Eco-Park Amenities
The Concept Plan also integrates additional Eco Park amenities to provide harmonious benefits between nature and the community. These may include:
- Log benches
- Playground and play nodes for children
- Tiny forest
- Outdoor classroom
- Bridge
- Educational signage
- Art
These features are intended to support community connections to nature by promoting health and well-being and providing educational and stewardship opportunities.
Locations of potential Eco Park amenities are subject to change.
Tiny Forest Planting
On Saturday, October 5, 2024, TRCA’s Sustainable Neighbourhoods Team, in collaboration with the City of Brampton, led a community planting for the first tiny forest in Brampton!
More than 80 participants joined us to help plant 350 native trees and shrubs at Eastbourne Park in the Bramalea SNAP neighbourhood. This densely planted area will eventually mimic the complexity of a mature forest.
Thank you to everyone who came out and helped successfully implement this exciting ecological project!
Public Engagement
Select the thumbnail below to view the Engagement Summary Report.
The Eastbourne Park Eco Space Concept Plan was developed based on extensive community and stakeholder input received during the Bramalea SNAP Action Plan development as well as through City of Brampton and TRCA-led engagement from October 2022 to June 2023.
Engagement initiatives included:
- Open House Event at Earnscliffe Recreation Centre
- Community Co-Design Group Meetings
- Eastbourne Drive Public School Classroom Engagement and Staff Surveys
- Community Pop Up Event and Survey
What’s Next
Through the Bramalea SNAP initiative, project partners will work collaboratively to support implementation of the Concept Plan, which will include fundraising and/or development of detailed plans and designs for the proposed new elements.
Learn More
To learn more about this initiative, please visit brampton.ca/ecopark/eastbournepark.
CONTACT:
Bhavisha Solanki
Coordinator, Sustainable Neighbourhoods, TRCA
bhavisha.solanki@trca.ca
(437) 388-7793
In Collaboration With:
