Humber Bay Park

Storm-water management facility at Humber Bay Park







Eastward view toward downtown Toronto, with butterfly garden in the foreground


On the way into Toronto Friday afternoon I stopped in Humber Bay Park. It features one of the most comprehensive restorations of natural habitat I've seen in an urban space.

Wetlands are critical to maintaining a healthy environment, not only because of the diverse plant and animal species they support, but also because they reduce flooding and act as natural filtration plants to reduce water pollution. But wetlands are declining everywhere. Along the waterfronts of cities like Toronto they have historically been eliminated due to pressure from transportation, industry, real estate and leisure activities.

Humber Bay Park cost $6.56 million to build and was opened in 1984. It incorporates Etobicoke region storm-water management facility, five cells allowing sediment to settle, improving the quality of water flowing into Lake Ontario. The cells feature floating islands of bog plants. The bay contains constructed islands and shoals to provide spawning grounds for fish. Beaver have built a lodge in the shelter of one island. Part of the parkland has been planted with trees and shrubs of the Carolinian forest zone. A vast butterfly garden includes reconstructed meadows, short-grass prairie and banks of shrubs for shelter. Nearby mudflats attract numerous shore and water birds.