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If you thought Toronto’s newest waterfront attraction was impressive when Lassonde Art Trail East opened in June, there’s now another reason to head back for even more creative surprises,
Beginning Saturday, July 25, Lassonde Art Trail (LAT) West officially opens to the public, nearly doubling the size of Toronto’s newest free outdoor art experience. The expansion adds seven striking contemporary sculptures to the city’s rapidly transforming waterfront, creating one of Canada’s most ambitious public art destinations.
The opening coincides with the expansion of the magnificent Biidaasige Park, a City of Toronto park on the newly created island of Ookwemin Minising, giving residents and visitors even more ways to explore one of the city’s most dramatic waterfront transformations.
Opening Weekend Celebrations
To mark the opening of LAT West, visitors can take part in a full weekend of free public programming on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26.
Activities include guided walks along the art trail, artist talks, family-friendly art-making activities and opportunities to learn more about the newly unveiled sculptures and the transformation of Toronto’s waterfront. Visitors will also have the chance to explore the expanded Biidaasige Park, making the weekend an ideal time to experience both the new green space and the latest additions to the Lassonde Art Trail.
As always, admission to the Lassonde Art Trail and opening weekend activities is free.
If you haven’t yet explored the first phase of the project, be sure to read our complete guide to the Lassonde Art Trail East, where you’ll find everything you need to know about the sculptures, artists and what to expect on your visit.
Seven New Sculptures Join the Trail
LAT West introduces works by an impressive lineup of internationally acclaimed artists whose sculptures explore themes of nature, identity, community and our relationship with the environment.
The new installations include:
- Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka (Japanese – Canadian): against the wind, with the wind, 2026
- Lisa Hirmer (Canadian – Mexican – German): Lodestar, 2026
- Virginia Overton (American): Untitled (Juniper), 2014
- Hank Willis Thomas (American): Ernest and Ruth (Exuberant Pink), 2018 + Saverio and Daisy (Navel), 2018
- Additional artworks in Ryan Gander’s (British) Stories of relics, 2026 series
- Two sculptures are currently on view in LAT East while the other two will appear in LAT West
Together, the installations continue the Lassonde Art Trail’s mission of using public art to inspire conversation, encourage reflection and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural environment surrounding Toronto’s evolving waterfront.
More Art Still to Come
The July expansion is only the second chapter of the Lassonde Art Trail’s inaugural season.
17 Massive Sculptures Will Complete the Vision
When complete this fall, the trail will feature 17 large-scale sculptures, including 11 newly commissioned works by leading Canadian, Indigenous and international artists.
Visitors can also look forward to the arrival of celebrated Cree artist Kent Monkman’s first public sculpture and a major new installation by internationally acclaimed artist Monira Al Qadiri, further establishing the Lassonde Art Trail as one of Canada’s premier outdoor contemporary art destinations.
More Than an Outdoor Gallery
Unlike a traditional museum, the Lassonde Art Trail is designed to be experienced at your own pace. Whether you’re walking, cycling or simply enjoying a day along Toronto’s waterfront, the trail blends contemporary art with parks, trails and stunning lakefront views.
Admission is free year-round, with a mix of permanent and rotating installations giving visitors a reason to return throughout the seasons.
Planning Your Visit
The Lassonde Art Trail is free to explore and stretches across Toronto’s revitalized waterfront, connecting the East and West sections through newly created public spaces and parklands. The opening of Biidaasige Park makes this one of the city’s newest destinations for a summer walk, bike ride or weekend outing.
For those who have already explored LAT East or are discovering the trail for the first time, the opening of LAT West marks another major milestone in the transformation of Toronto’s waterfront into a vibrant destination where art, nature and public space come together.
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