GTA Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government will invest $7 million in Toronto’s Evergreen Brick Works Recovery and Climate Resilience project in an effort to protect one of Canada’s first large-scale community environmental hubs.
The province says the project showcases how climate-resilient infrastructure can help protect communities and keep residents safe from floods and other weather events.
“Evergreen Brick Works is a shining example of how we can protect Ontario’s natural spaces, infrastructure and economic opportunities, all in one place,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Not only will this investment preserve this beautiful space for future generations, but it will also serve as a model for truly sustainable urban design – supporting the development of stronger, more resilient infrastructure to protect our communities for years to come.”
The funds are being used to upgrade the Children’s Garden—an outdoor learning space that hosts more than 10,000 youth annually—along with three restored heritage buildings offering welcome space, Indigenous and ravine programming space, plus improved outdoor commons for safety and public use.
Improvements include new stormwater systems including rain gardens and permeable pavement to safely redirect water during heavy rainfall, elevated electrical and data infrastructure to prevent flood damages, installing solar panels to generate power on-site for community events and reduce pollution, and installing accessible seating, new lighting and improved safety features for the garden and amphitheatre.
In the summer of 2024, Toronto experienced a record-breaking storm that dropped 100 millimetres of rain in just two hours, flooding the Brick Works under five feet of water, and causing extensive damage to both the facility and surrounding parkland.
This project supports the government’s plan to protect Ontario by working with municipal and other partners to build resilient, sustainable housing and infrastructure.
For nearly a century, the Don Valley Brick Works was one of Canada’s leading brickyards, producing over 43 million bricks every year. In 2010, Evergreen, in partnership with the City of Toronto and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, transformed the abandoned site into an environmental education centre focused on nature, culture and community.
The site supports over 100 small businesses and farmers, hosts major community events, and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
