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The Lake Ontario waterfront is a special place that helps to define Toronto's character and is valued and used in many ways. In recent decades, many waterfront areas have been experiencing a transition from industrial and transportation uses to a mix of residential, commercial, cultural and recreation uses. A clean and healthy waterfront provides a much more attractive setting in which to live, work and play and is becoming an increasingly important element of Toronto's quality of life.
For example, many recreation activities take place on, in or near the water, and are enhanced by opportunities to view wildlife, catch fish and enjoy the beauty of natural landscapes. Waterfront locations provide a wonderful venue for physical exercise and relaxation, benefiting human health and well-being. Tourists are attracted to vibrant waterfronts, and show a growing interest in experiencing nature. Implementation of this aquatic habitat restoration strategy will help to foster these opportunities for both residents and visitors while generating considerable social and economic benefits for the community.
The emphasis of this strategy on ecological integrity, habitat diversity and native species will encourage the development of diverse, self-sustaining communities of fish and wildlife. In turn, these are less expensive to manage over the long term than more formal, high maintenance landscapes.
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