Here’s what is complete in Mississauga’s new 64-acre conservation area

Progress on the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area, a 64-acre waterfront greenspace in Mississauga, continues and is on schedule to open in 2025.

Work on the conservation area, named after Tovey, a Ward 1 councillor who died in 2018 and who is credited for bringing the project to fruition, began in 2016. The latest report to Region of Peel council says the project is on schedule for 2025. The conservation area is being built next to the new 177-acre community, a mixed-use waterfront development of 8,050 new homes.

The park will feature large wetlands, meadows, beaches and forests enhancing the shoreline for residents, migratory bird species and fish. It is a collaborative effort between the Region of Peel, Credit Valley Conservation, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the City of Mississauga.

A restored Serson Creek now flows into the conservation area. The creek was disconnected from Lake Ontario in the mid-1960s, when it was buried and piped underground, essentially becoming one of Mississauga’s “lost rivers.” Lost rivers are waterways buried beneath the ground to make way for development.

As of June 2022, over 1,780,000 m³ of excess soil and concrete rubble have been diverted from landfill for reuse for the project. Staff anticipates the site will no longer accept fill from Peel construction projects by the end of 2022. To date, 15.6 hectares of the site have been restored with meadow, forest, tree swamp and wetland habitat.

By the end of 2022, the following is expected to be complete:

• Earth filling from Peel capital works projects
• The planting of over 3,200 trees and shrubs for a total of 36,200 planted to date
• The planting of 3,000 aquatic plants for a total of 77,500 planted to date
• Complete construction of the north and central islands
• Import and placement of approximately 15,700 tonnes of cobble

Still remaining to complete the project is the construction of the south island, continued placement of cobble beaches, topsoiling, grading, plantings, maintenance access for Credit Valley Conservation staff, and refinement of public realm elements. This includes the installation of entrance features, trails, bridges, seating and Indigenous design features.

Landscape architect Brook MclIroy is designing trails, seating and bridges. The primary trail will accommodate two-way bicycle traffic and pedestrians. There will be a boardwalk and a bridge over Serson Creek and over Applewood Creek.

An amphitheatre-style seating space is also planned as a teaching and gathering spot for small groups. Two distinct sculptural features, placed at both entrances to the conservation area, will incorporate Indigenous designs.

The project’s net cost is expected to be $37 million and is on budget so far.