Joint Investment Delivers New Multi-use Path Infrastructure to Improve Active Transportation.
July 15, 2026, Toronto, ON – On July 13, 2026 Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and the City of Toronto, with support from the Government of Canada, officially celebrated the completion and opening of Phase 1 of the East Don Trail Project.
This major new 3.3-kilometre multi-use trail connection closes one of the largest remaining gaps in Toronto’s Don Valley trail network.
Councillor for Ward 14 – Toronto-Danforth and TRCA Executive Committee and Board Member Paula Fletcher, alongside the Honourable Robert Oliphant, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West and TRCA Regional Watershed Alliance federal representative, Salma Zahid, Member of Parliament for Scarborough Centre—Don Valley East, John MacKenzie, Chief Executive Officer of TRCA, and TRCA Board Member Paul Scrivener gathered for an official opening ceremony to mark this important milestone.
Project partners and supporters join TRCA at the opening of Phase 1 of the East Don Trail.
The East Don Trail Project is being delivered in three phases to create a continuous trail corridor through the East Don Valley. Earlier work completed Phase 2, extending the trail from Charles Sauriol Conservation Area near Lawrence Avenue East to Wigmore Park.
The July 13 opening marks the completion of Phase 1. This new segment completes the route from parts of the East Don Trail east of Don Mills Road and north of Taylor Creek to Bermondsey Road. It also provides north-south connections through the Don Valley to Lake Ontario, and links east to The Meadoway, which will connect the City to the Rouge National Urban Park.
Representing one of the most significant new public access points into Toronto’s ravine system in recent years, this trail connection will make it easier than ever for residents and visitors to access and explore the Don Valley’s extensive network of natural areas.
People will have new opportunities to enjoy the physical, mental, and recreational benefits of our City’s greenspaces, whether walking, cycling, commuting, exercising, or simply spending time in nature. It also offers an alternative to driving, helping to ease traffic congestion and reduce reliance on automobiles.
Construction was supported through a joint investment of $19.5 million. The Government of Canada contributed $9.75 million through Phases 1 and 2 of the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund, with the City of Toronto providing matching funding.
Navigating the complex ravine terrain, taking into account existing infrastructure, including Metrolinx lines and the Gatineau hydro corridor, required innovative engineering solutions.
Work completed as part of Phase 1 included the installation of a steel pedestrian-cycling overpass bridge, a heavy-duty concrete structural tunnel, and five new pedestrian bridges. These features allow trail users to safely pass over and beneath two sections of active Metrolinx rail lines, utility corridors and the East Don River, and local watercourses and wetlands.
Designed with consideration of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act guidelines for recreational trails, the four-metre-wide barrier-free path ensures a safe and comfortable experience for people of all ages and abilities.
The formal trail structure also addresses legacy environmental issues in the ravine. It replaces a network of informal dirt paths that contributed to soil erosion and disturbed sensitive habitat. The paved route helps direct visitors along a designated corridor while reducing impacts on surrounding natural spaces.
As part of the City and TRCA’s restoration commitment, native trees are being planted throughout the project area to strengthen habitat and support the long-term health of the ravine.
Phase 1 of the East Don Trail will connect communities and improve access to Toronto’s ravine system.
Growing communities do not have to choose between urban development and the protection of natural systems. The project shows that even the most complex landscapes can be transformed into accessible public spaces that still protect and enhance local ecosystems.
Once complete, the East Don Trail will strengthen continuity through the Don River corridor and advance TRCA’s Trail Strategy goal of creating a 1,000-kilometre-long, connected regional trail network extending from Lake Ontario to the Greenbelt.
This new segment of the East Don Trail also supports efforts by TRCA, the City, and Evergreen to connect the proposed Loop Trail and the Don River Valley to The Meadoway.
Quotes:
“The completion of phase one of the East Don Trail marks a significant step forward in the extension of the regional trail network in the Don River Corridor. The trail will allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross the East Don River and Metrolinx rail lines and provide infrastructure that promotes physical activity and offers a view of the breathtaking natural beauty of Toronto’s ravine system.”
– The Honourable Robert Oliphant, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
“By enabling safe crossing over the Don River and wetlands, the East Don Trail will offer a continuous route for pedestrians where walking and cycling are convenient and accessible. Active transit transportation infrastructure, like the East Don Trail, promotes physical activity and wellness, offers a greener way to commute, and aids in creating vibrant, connected communities.”
– Salma Zahid, Member of Parliament, Scarborough Centre—Don Valley East
“The East Don Trail is a transformational investment in how people move through and experience our city. By closing a major gap in Toronto’s trail network, we are creating safer and more accessible connections between neighbourhoods, parks, transit, and greenspaces. This project shows what is possible when all levels of government work together to build a more connected Toronto for everyone.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow, City of Toronto
“Congratulations to TRCA and the City of Toronto on this important milestone for the East Don Trail. As Metrolinx operates and expands transit across the region, we’re committed to helping our partner agencies keep their projects moving, too. We’re proud to help maintain access to trails through the Don Valley and support restoration efforts that allow residents to continue to enjoy these important public spaces today and into the future. This achievement is just one example of the strong partnership between Metrolinx, TRCA, and the City of Toronto, and we look forward to bringing many more to life as we all work together to make this an even healthier, more sustainable place to call home.”
– Michael Lindsay, President and CEO, Metrolinx
“Overcoming the complex geography of this part of the Don Valley to safely connect these communities required a truly coordinated effort. We are deeply grateful to the City of Toronto and the Government of Canada for their support and partnership in making this milestone possible. We are also appreciative of the close cooperation with Metrolinx and Hydro One as we work to achieve an important new connection between the East Don Trail and The Meadoway. Together, we have delivered a vital piece of public infrastructure that successfully balances long-term ecological protection with safe, accessible greenspace.”
– 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 highlight TRCA’s commitment to fostering a supportive, innovative, 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 almost five million people, approximately 10% 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