Residents were thrilled to hear more about the new conservation area opening next spring in Mississauga.
The $59-million, 26-hectare Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area has been in the works for nearly 10 years and as the opening date approaches, around 200 people came out to an information session to learn more this week.
The conservation area will include an accessible network of trails, boardwalks, lookouts, a gathering space, connections to wetlands, grasslands, forest environments and Lake Ontario.
Credit Valley Conservation is working in partnership with Peel Region and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, with support from the Cities of Mississauga and Toronto, to create the new waterfront conservation area in Lakeview. It is located on Lake Ontario between the future Lakeview Village development and Marie Curtis Park.
The conservation area is scheduled to open the last week of May 2026, Jesse DeJager, director, parks, lands and community engagement at Credit Valley Conservation, told INsauga.com at the open house on Nov. 27. Credit Valley Conservation is working on details for an opening celebration, he said.
DeJager said he was happy to see so many people come for the information session.
"People are energized -- they have been involved in this from the start," he said.
Most people came to the session wanting to know when it would open and how they will enter the conservation area, he said.
The conservation area was slated to open in the summer of 2025, but DeJager said there were delays in sourcing some materials. The main construction is now essentially complete, but a spring opening will showcase the greenery and wildlife, he said.
When it opens at the end of May, access to the conservation area will be through Marie Curtis Park, DeJager said. A public parking area is in the plans at Lakeview Village, which will be the main access once the mixed-use residential development is complete.
While it's not open to humans yet, wildlife has already moved in the area, DeJager said. An endangered American Eel was found, and river otters, migratory butterflies and birds are among the rare animals spotted.
Once open, residents will be able to walk and cycle through the area. Dogs will be permitted on a leash and fishing will be allowed in some areas. There is no boat launch. Conservation staff will be on hand once the area opens.
Features of the conservation area include a paved, 1.9-kilometre section of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, pedestrian bridges, 170 metres of boardwalk trail and a promontory that rises 15 metres above lake level. A barge, constructed in the late 1800s, is being repurposed as a walkway out onto the lake.
In partnership with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other local Indigenous groups, there are several placemaking features, including an east and west entrance drums -- designed to represent an Indigenous drum, and an amphitheatre.
Since construction began in 2016, the site has recycled 370,630 cubic metres of brick/block and concrete, along with soil and topsoil in the project.
Residents at the open house were happy with the progress and glad the conservation area will finally open in the spring.
"I am super excited," said Jennifer, an area resident. She said the public hasn't been able to see what is happening and the public information session gave her a behind-the-scenes look. She is particularly thrilled about the wildlife coming to the area.
"I am just lit up," she said.
Another resident said he was happy how the project has come together, but worried about crowds of people scaring away the wildlife.
Other residents expressed concerns about the impact of the neighbouring Lakeview Village development, which could bring 16,000 housing units to the area.
Councillor for the area, Stephen Dasko, said he was happy to see former councillor Jim Tovey's vision coming to fruition, exactly as he dreamed. Dasko was also thrilled to see the large turnout for the information session.
"I am ecstatic," he said.
More information on the project can be found here.