Upper Mimico Creek Restoration

One of the goals of Partners in Project Green is to expand and enhance the natural and aquatic systems in the industrial areas surrounding Toronto Pearson. The Pearson Eco-Business Zone is unique in many ways, one of which is that over 180,000 employees are within walking distance (400 metres) of natural space.

To enhance this natural space and improve local water quality Partners in Project Green has been working with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, the Region of Peel, the City of Brampton, Sithe Global and Canadian Tire, to restore a portion of the Mimico Creek that runs parallel to Goreway Road north of Intermodal Drive and south of Queen Street. 

In this portion of the Mimico Creek natural processes were absent, as the entire creek bed and portions of the floodplain were lined with concrete that channelized a once meandering stream into a straight line.

To remedy this, the concrete channel is being removed and a natural corridor design implemented that will allow the creek to once again meander and bend its way downstream. During the first two phases completed in the fall of 2007, riffles and pools were created to mimic a natural river system and improve the health of the aquatic community.

In addition to re-introducing the meandering stream, restoration efforts will also include the planting of native trees and shrubs, as well as the creation of new wetlands to treat stormwater run-off from adjacent properties.

Work will continue into 2010 until all five phases are completed in 2011. This will improve the overall headwaters of Mimico Creek, providing new fish habitat and enhancing the integrity of the entire aquatic system.