Toronto's waterfront promenade just got a stunning new extension

Toronto just reclaimed a little more waterfront with the opening of an extension to the popular granite-paved promenade that stretches across the city's waterfront.

The newest stretch of the Water's Edge Promenade is officially open in Toronto's burgeoning East Bayfront area, and this extension might just be the crown jewel of the path hugging the city's harbour.

The East Bayfront gained its newest landmark when Aqualuna development wrapped construction this year, and in addition to the impressive architecture, new homes, and fancy community centre inaugurated in September, the project's completion has been complemented by an extension of the busy promenade east to the Parliament Slip.

Waterfront Toronto announced the completion of the new extension this past weekend, opening up its six-metre-wide path — complete with the promenade's signature mosaic maple leaf pattern — around the south and east sides of Aqualuna.

Among the promenade extension's features, visitors will enjoy a double row of trees, custom seating, and panoramic views of Toronto Harbour, the islands, and the regenerating Port Lands area to the southeast.

Waterfront Toronto notes a "more naturalized approach" to this section of the promenade, including open planters that allow more opportunities for plant life, which is meant to blend into the naturalized landscape of the new Ookwemin Minising island in the Port Lands.

Another feature in this extension are large stones known as "erratics," which Waterfront Toronto explains were shifted from their original positions by glacial ice and deposited among differing geology. These large rocks offer protection for plantings while encouraging promenade users to rest and play.

Fronting the promenade extension is the new East Bayfront Community & Recreation Centre, which opened to the neighbourhood on Sept. 20. The promenade and community centre were designed to interact with one another via large folding doors that open up the interior to the lakefront.

The Water's Edge Promenade extension is located at 261 Queens Quay E.