Explore Nature by the Water at Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area
Connect with nature and explore the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area, new 26-hectare waterfront park at the shore of Lake Ontario in Mississauga. Enjoy accessible pathways, boardwalks, benches and lookouts along the lake and connect to the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail as you enter and exit the park from the west side of Marie Curtis Park.
Discover the beauty of nature at this restored stretch of the shoreline with revitalized habitats and a network of trails, pedestrian bridges and a cycling trail beside the future site of Lakeview Village.
Jim Tovey park is a great spot for cycling, walking, birdwatching, dog walking and amateur photography along 3.7 kilometres of trail.
Notice of Upcoming Trail Work
Beginning the week of June 8, we’ll be completing line painting on the trails at Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area. The work will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and visitors can expect rolling trail closures. All affected areas will be fully closed to the public during the week, re-opening Fridays at 5 p.m. and on weekends. We anticipate the project will occur in three phases and take three weeks to complete. We thank you for your patience as we continue to finalize trail work at this newly opened park.
Outdoor Activities
Select an icon to learn more about activities at Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area
Trails
This multi-use, paved trail along the waterfront passes through meadows and forests, over two creeks, and features Indigenous placekeeping sites and the breakwater barges. Trail surface is primarily asphalt, with two small sections of wood decking for bridge crossings. Rest areas are no more than 90 metres apart. The trailhead is accessed through Marie Curtis Park. This is currently not a through-trail; users must retrace their steps back to the access by Marie Curtis Park.
Available Activities- Width
-
Average: 5.2 m
Minimum: 2.8 m - Grade
-
Average: 1.7%
Maximum: 5.7% - Cross Slope
-
Average: 1.4%
Maximum: 6
- Stroller Friendly
- Hiking time
- Estimated hiking time is 30 minutes (one way)
This loop trail begins and ends from the Waterfront Trail. It features the Applewood Wetland, which was created as a special reserve area to provide refuge habitat for a diversity of plants and animals. Trail surface is crushed stone and asphalt. Rest areas are no more than 90 m apart.Â
Available Activities- Width
-
Average: 3.3 m
Minimum: 3.0 m - Grade
-
Average: 4.1%
Maximum: 10.8% - Cross Slope
-
Average: 4.4%
Maximum: 7.5%
- Stroller Friendly
- Hiking time
- Estimated hiking time is 10 minutes (one way)
This trail is located off the Waterfront Trail by the mouth of Serson Creek. This boardwalk trail takes you to the edge of Serson Wetland, featuring lookouts with rest areas. This is a great spot for birdwatching and exploring nature up-close. Rest areas are no more than 90 metres apart.Â
Available Activities- Width
-
Average: 2.2 m
Minimum: 2.1 m - Grade
-
Average: 2%
Maximum: 9.5% - Cross Slope
-
Average: 5%
Maximum: 10.6%
- Stroller Friendly
- Hiking time
- Estimated hiking time is 10 minutes (one way)
This loop trail off the Waterfront Trail takes you through grasslands to a lookout at the top of the promontory. It features panoramic views of the conservation area from above and the surrounding city skyline and lake. The trail gently climbs to the lookout, with rest areas no more than 90 metres apart. Trail surface is asphalt.
Available Activities- Width
-
Average: 3.3 m
Minimum: 3 m - Grade
-
Average: 3.9%
Maximum: 10.7% - Cross Slope
-
Average: 2.9%
Maximum: 8.6%
- Stroller Friendly
- Hiking time
- Estimated hiking time is 10 minutes (one way)
This loop trail off the Waterfront Trail follows the water’s edge, offering great views of the city skyline. Trail surface is asphalt. Rest areas are no more than 90 metres apart.Â
Available Activities- Width
-
Average: 3.6 m
Minimum: 3.4 m - Grade
-
Average: 0.5%
Maximum: 4.3% - Cross Slope
-
Average: 2.6%
Maximum: 6.4%
- Stroller Friendly
- Hiking time
- Estimated hiking time is 15 minutes
Photo Gallery
An Award-Winning Waterfront Park
This innovative waterfront greenspace was created as part of an award-winning shoreline restoration project. It brings new life to the Lake Ontario edge, expanding natural habitat, adding much needed parkland, and strengthening active transportation connections between Mississauga and Toronto.
Visitors can explore a brand-new stretch of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, offering scenic views and an accessible way to experience the beauty of Lake Ontario. This park features spaces for Indigenous teaching and placemaking to recognize the ongoing and enduring presence of Indigenous People in the Credit River Watershed.
Named in honour of the late Mississauga Councillor and CVC Board Director Jim Tovey, the conservation area reflects his vision and commitment to environmental stewardship and the Lakeview community.
Project Partners and Supporters
This conservation area was developed in partnership with Credit Valley Conservation, Peel Region and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
This project was funded in part by the Government of Canada. Support was also received from the City of Mississauga, City of Toronto, Swim Drink Fish and Lakeview Community Partners Ltd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area located?
Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area is a newly created greenspace in Mississauga where visitors can enjoy trails, outdoor activities and lake views. The site is located within the Lakeview community on the Head of the Lake Treaty of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Â
It’s bordered by Lake Ontario, Marie Curtis Park (2 Forty Second St., Etobicoke), the G. E. Booth Water Resource Recovery Facility and the future Lakeview Village, a mixed-use development community.Â
How can I access Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area (JTLCA)?
Visitors can access the park by following the Waterfront Trail heading west through Marie Curtis Park. The Waterfront Trail within Jim Tovey Lakeview is not a through trail. Visitors must enter and exit through Marie Curtis Park.Â
Can you access Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area from the west?
No. Access to Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area is through Marie Curtis Park. In the future, access will open from the Lakeview Village Parks development once construction is complete.Â
Is parking available onsite at the conservation area?
No. Parking is available at Marie Curtis Park, located at 2 Forty Second St, Etobicoke. Parking is free and there are three public parking lots.Â
What activities are allowed at Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area?
Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area offers outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, dog walking, birdwatching and photography. Â
Can I fish at the conservation area?
No, fishing from the armour stone revetments, cobblestone, islands, bridges, sand beaches, wetlands, barges and creeks is unsafe and is not permitted.Â
Can I access Lake Ontario from Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area?
No. Water activities such as swimming, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding are not permitted. Visitors cannot access the lake from the park as there are no safe access points to the water. Â
Can I access Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area by boat?
No. Boats, including canoes and kayaks, are not permitted to enter Serson and Applewood wetlands and creek channels. Mooring is not permitted anywhere, including islands, barges or along shoreline due to safety considerations.Â
Is swimming allowed?
No. Swimming is not permitted anywhere on site due to the deep water and currents along the newly established shoreline.Â
Do you have equipment rentals at the park?
No. CVC currently does not offer rental equipment at this park.Â
Do I need a permit for photography at Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area?
Amateur photography is allowed. If you are a professional photographer or production company looking for film or photo locations, please check our permit information and requirements. Â
Is there public transportation that will take me to Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area?
Yes, you can get to the park by accessible transit options including TTC, GO Transit and MiWay at the Long Branch Loop/Station area. The park is a five-to-10-minute walk from the Long Branch Go Station (Lakeview West line) or the 501 Queen Streetcar loop, located at 42nd Street and Lakeshore Blvd. West. Transit options include:Â
- TTC (Toronto Transit Commission): Take the 501 Queen streetcar to Long Branch Loop. Alternatively, take the 110 Islington South or 123 Shorncliffe bus to Long Branch Loop.Â
- GO Transit: Take the Lakeshore West train to Long Branch GO Station.Â
- MiWay (Mississauga Transit): Route 23 Lakeshore and Route 5 Dixie connect to the Long Branch Loop. Â
From the Long Branch Loop/Station, walk south down 42nd Street to reach Marie Curtis Park and you can enter Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area by the Waterfront Trail.Â
There is also a bike share station at Long Branch station. Â
Â
Are washrooms available onsite?
Yes. Port-a-potties are located near the Teaching Amphitheatre and washrooms are also available at Marie Curtis Park.Â
Are trails wheelchair accessible?
Yes, there are accessible trail options at the park. Surfaces are a mix of asphalt, decking and crushed stone. Trail ratings are available on the main park map on Credit Valley Conservation’s website and kiosks at the park.Â
Can I cycle or use an e‑bike?
Yes. Cycling, e-bikes and e-scooters are permitted on the Waterfront Trail only. This is a multi-use trail. Riders are required to travel at a safe speed. You must follow local by‑laws and posted trail rules.Â
What are the hours of operation at Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area?
Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area is open to the public during daylight hours only, from sunrise to sunset. The site is open seasonally from late April through late November each year.Â
Why does the conservation area have periodic closures and trail disruptions?
Periodic closures and trail disruptions allow our staff to care for newly planted forests, wetlands and grasslands, helping them to establish and thrive. Learn more about our restoration activities and why ongoing restoration is essential in a constructed greenspace.Â
Is Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area a good park for bird watching?
Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area features rolling meadows, young forests and coastal wetlands. Situated on the north shore of Lake Ontario between two major migration ‘superhighways’, the conservation area is positioned to become a critical migration stopover. Many birds will land here to rest and refuel, while others stay all summer to raise their young. To date, 75 bird species have been observed during monitoring. Learn more about birds in the Credit River Watershed. Â
Can I use a drone at Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area?
No. Recreational drone use is prohibited on CVC properties. Permits for research, education and commercial photography will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please submit inquiries to our Park staff.Â
