Transforming the Mississauga Lake Ontario Shoreline into a Nature-rich Greenspace
We’re working in partnership with Peel Region and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), with support from the Cities of Mississauga and Toronto – to transform a degraded section of the Mississauga shoreline into a thriving 26-hectare waterfront conservation area. It will connect people and wildlife back to nature.
The conservation area is named in honour of Jim Tovey, former Mississauga Councillor and dedicated CVC Board of Director. His strong commitment to environmental conservation, the Lakeview community and broader Lake Ontario management were instrumental in getting this project off the ground.
Opening Soon
We’re excited to welcome the public to experience the new conservation area soon.
Visitors will have the opportunity to connect with nature as they observe and explore key wildlife habitat through a new and expanded network of pathways, bike lanes, trails and pedestrian bridges.
In the future, the new waterfront trail connection will support an active transportation corridor between Mississauga and Toronto and experience a brand-new section of the Waterfront Recreation Trail at the restored shoreline.
The scale and impact of this project is unique within the Great Lakes region. It is the only project of its kind happening in this area. It will be a major greenspace asset to the City of Mississauga and Peel Region, supporting healthy communities by connecting over nine kilometres of waterfront trail.
The Conservation Area Building Process
The creation of the new Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area is the culmination of over a decade of planning and construction. The building process has included:
- Environmental assessment
- Engineering and design
- Permitting
- Landform building
- Habitat restoration
- Public realm installation
- Indigenous Placemaking
Since construction began in 2016, we have reused over 262,000 cubic metres of construction rubble and 1,511,300 cubic metres of excess soil to build the new landform and enhanced shoreline.
Our restoration crews have planted over 76,320 wetland plants and 42,200 trees and shrubs by hand to provide food and habitat for wildlife.
Wildlife is moving into the new conservation area. Our monitoring staff have recorded wildlife along the new shoreline, wetland and meadow. This includes:
- 35 species of fish
- Many other animals including coyotes, white tailed deer, mink, beavers, rabbits, turtles, toads and frogs.
Through consultation with our Indigenous partners, community advisory members and partner organizations, we have designed an accessible network of trails, boardwalks, lookouts and gathering spaces. These new amenities will provide scenic connections to the lake, wetlands, grasslands and forest environments at the conservation area showcasing the diverse cultural and ecological history of the site.
The lands and the waters where the JTLCA is being constructed are part of the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN). The conservation area is located at the boundaries between the Toronto Purchase (1805) and the Head of the Lake Purchase (1818).
As part of the fundamental commitments of the project and our growing relationship with the MCFN, the JTLCA will include spaces for Indigenous teaching and placemaking to recognize the ongoing and enduring presence of Indigenous people in the Credit River Watershed.
Frequently Asked Questions
As of December 2022, we have responsibly reused approximately 1,511,300 cubic metres of clean excess soil, 69 per cent of which comes from Peel Region capital works projects. We treat this material as a valued resource to enhance the local environment and improve our waterfront. This saves Peel Region residents on transportation and tipping fees related to other regional works projects. Reusing excess soil reduces greenhouse gas emissions because it eliminates the need for thousands of trucks to drive to northern municipalities to dispose of the soil. We have responsibly reused approximately 262,000 cubic metres of clean rubble on the site.
Input received from local residents, the public and private sectors, all levels of government and Indigenous communities has been valuable in shaping the project.
We welcome your questions and comments on the continuing construction and development of the JTLCA management plan. To submit your feedback, please fill out the contact form.
Once the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area opens, it will be a day-use conservation area that will be open year-round. Visitors will enter the property via the Waterfront Trail through Marie Curtis Park on the eastern side and the future Lakeview Village parklands on the western side. Entry to the conservation area will be free for visitors.
Gallery
Project Partners
This project is generously funded by the Region of Peel.
This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada
Project Supporters
Upcoming Events
Project News
Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) invites the community to attend the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area Open House on […]
Today, Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) was awarded a $4.1 million investment from the Government of Canada through the […]
New Trails, Boardwalks, Lookouts and Gathering Spaces CVC and our partners at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and […]