Trail winding through Toronto's new human-made island opens next month

Four years after the Lassonde Art Trail (LAT) was first announced,  the Toronto waterfront attraction is finally set to open this June, transforming into an open-air art experience for all to enjoy.

Set within Biidaasige Park on Ookwemin Minising, a new artificial island in Toronto's Port Lands, the trail spans roughly four kilometres and links 15 distinct art sites across 60 acres of parkland.

Rather than opening all at once, LAT plans to roll out the project in stages over the coming months, meaning there will be new reasons to visit throughout the year.

The first phase is set to launch June 4 and focuses on the section east of the Cherry Street bridge, where Canadian and international artists will present large-scale, site-specific works crafted from stone and other natural materials.

Featured artists include Alexandre Arrechea, Tracey Emin, Ryan Gander, and a joint collaboration between Canadian artist Caroline Monnet and Dean Baldwin Lew. Rounding out this initial announcement are works from Nadia Belerique, Tony Romano, Kara Hamilton, and Oluseye.

 

 

 

 

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The second phase will shift to the west side of the trail, opening in late July to coincide with the next stage of development at Biidaasige Park. This portion will introduce works by Hank Willis Thomas, Virginia Overton, Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka, and Ryan Gander.

Final additions to the trail's first season are expected in September. Cree artist Kent Monkman will unveil his first-ever public sculpture, while Kuwaiti artist Monira Al Qadiri will install a new piece titled "First Sun."

According to LAT, the trail sits "at the heart of a massive $1.4 billion tri-government investment in flood protection and waterfront revitalization." Rather than functioning as a static art exhibition, it's designed to evolve over time, reinventing how Toronto residents and visitors experience the waterfront through an immersive and accessible experience.

The new trail is part of a broader Port Lands redevelopment project that has been underway for more than a decade. The initiative is funded by a $25 million donation from the Pierre Lassonde Family Foundation, committed in 2022 to realizing the Art Trail.

The Lassonde Art Trail will be located at 39 Commissioners St.