Jay Goldman

Biidaasige Park

By Toronto

Biidaasige Park, pronounced “bee-daw-si-geh” and meaning “sunlight shining toward us” in Anishinaabemowin, is located near Cherry Street on the island of Ookwemin Minising, meaning “place of the black cherry trees.” The park celebrates waterway restoration and reconciliation. The first phase of Biidaasige Park opened to the public in July, 2025, with other phases opening in future years as Ookwemin Minising is developed as a flood-protected home for approximately 16,000 people and a workplace for another 3,000. We explored the park in September, 2026.

Orange Functional by Alexandre Arrechea 2022. Steel, basketball nets. Stop 1 on the Lassonde Art Walk that meanders throughout the park.
Snowy Owl Theatre play area at Biidaasige Park
Snowy Owl Theatre play area at Biidaasige Park
A dodem animal that represent a clan or family line in the Anishinaabe, Ongwehonwe and Huron cultures. Part of the Badlands play area at Biidaasige Park.
Toronto's re-naturalized mouth of the Don River
Biidaasige Park features four new swooping, beautiful steel bridges. This is the Cherry Street "yellow bridge".
We happened to visit during the CNE Air Show, and I captured this Royal Canadian Air Force 1952 Beechcraft 3NM flying overhead.
Biidaasige Park features four new swooping, beautiful steel bridges. This is the Commissioners Street "red bridge".
Biidaasige Park features four new swooping, beautiful steel bridges. This is the Commissioners Street "red bridge".
Carved stone creatures at Biidaasige Park.