Ontario's largest Chinese garden is coming to Toronto

A new cultural garden is officially coming to Toronto, and organizers say it will become the largest Chinese garden in Ontario.

The project, led by the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto (CCCGT), is planned to be a 1.5-acre public green space in Scarborough.

The Asian Garden will feature traditional Chinese landscaping elements, including flowing water features and sculpted stone arrangements. It will also include handcrafted pavilions, framed vistas and indigenous plants.

According to the CCCGT, the initial concept for the garden dates back to the mid-90s as part of a larger vision for the cultural centre's expansion. Once complete in 2028, the space will serve as both a public green space and an educational hub where visitors can learn more about Chinese culture through architecture.

The garden, designed by Kasian & DTAH and set to be a year-round attraction, has already secured millions of dollars in public funding. In 2021, the federal and Ontario governments committed a combined $5.2 million for the garden through infrastructure funding programs directed at community and cultural projects in the city.

Community fundraising has also brought in close to $3 million so far, the CCCGT says.

The garden aims to be a cultural landmark and a tourist attraction in the Greater Toronto Area, and a gathering place for performances, educational programs, and community events.

The Asian Garden is expected to open by the end of 2028, adding to the city's diverse portfolio of beautiful gardens open to the public.