Your Toronto Zoo Unveils New Fully Accessible Boardwalk in Celebration of 50th Anniversary

Toronto, ON – In celebration of its 50th anniversary and as part of our commitment to be a Zoo for all, the Toronto Zoo is proud to announce the official opening of a new, fully accessible boardwalk that provides an immersive connection between the IndoMalaya and Africa zones. This new canopy walk improves accessibility and offers guests stunning views. This boardwalk enhances the zoo experience by allowing guests to explore the beauty of the Carolinian forest from an elevated perspective to better connect with native species of birds such as Cooper’s Hawks and Pileated Woodpeckers, while looking out over Zoo highlights such as the orangutan outdoor towers and the Sumatran tiger habitat.

The official opening was attended by the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, the Honourable Raymond Cho, Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough-North and Ontario’s Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, the Honourable Vijay Thanigasalam, Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough and Associate Minister of Housing Paul Ainslie, Councillor for Scarborough-Guildwood and Chair of the Toronto Zoo’s Board of Management; and Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo. Through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP)’s Community, Culture and Recreation Stream, the Government of Canada invested $2,950,000, the Government of Ontario invested $2,458,088 and the City of Toronto invested $2,900,000 towards this project. This boardwalk is part of a series of upgrades aimed at improving accessibility and enhancing the Zoo’s guest experience.

Built with sustainable materials, the new boardwalk replaces aging infrastructure that was challenging for guests to navigate due to steep grades. Now, guests of all abilities can enjoy a smooth, accessible path through one of the Zoo’s most scenic areas, fulfilling a decades-long vision of making the Toronto Zoo’s natural landscapes and environmentally significant areas more accessible to everyone.

The new boardwalk is 315 metres in length, 3 metres wide with a 5% slope or less in sections. The decking and railing are made of Douglas fir and the structure is made of modular fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) panels which are light and durable and have a long lifespan. The panels are installed on helical piles (essentially large metal cork screws) which allows for less invasive installation and minimal impacts to trees and tree roots.

The Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program funds projects that improve cultural, recreational, and community infrastructure. Through this funding, the Toronto Zoo has been able to enhance its commitment to conservation, accessibility, and guest engagement, while marking an extraordinary milestone in its 50-year history.

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The Toronto Zoo’s Indo-Malaya Boardwalk is now longer and more accessible, offering visitors breathtaking views of the Carolinian forest and orangutan habitats. The federal government is proud to support projects that make it easier for everyone to connect with nature and enjoy the zoo’s incredible attractions.”

– The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

On behalf of the Government of Ontario, I am proud to celebrate our ongoing partnership with the Toronto Zoo, a world-class destination located in my riding of Scarborough—Rouge Park. Each year, millions of visitors come to the zoo to experience its incredible wildlife and educational offerings. To ensure that everyone can enjoy this treasured institution, our government has invested nearly $2.5 million in improving accessibility—enhancing pathways, boardwalks, and public washrooms. Today, we mark a significant milestone with the grand opening of the IndoMalaya boardwalk. This achievement is a testament to our shared commitment to making the Toronto Zoo more accessible and welcoming for all. Together, we continue to make great strides in ensuring that the zoo remains a top-tier destination for people of all abilities.”

– Vijay Thanigasalam, Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough – Rouge Park

This year marks the 50th anniversary of your Toronto Zoo and the City of Toronto is proud to join our federal and provincial counterparts by investing in our Zoo to continue to deliver incredible experiences for the millions of guests who will have the opportunity to visit. This new boardwalk is a wonderful addition and ensures guests of all abilities can make amazing memories that will last a lifetime.”

– Paul Ainslie, City of Toronto Councillor Scarborough-Guildwood and Chair, Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo.

At your Toronto Zoo, it’s our mission to connect people, animals and conservation science to fight extinction. A big part of making inclusive connections is ensuring our Zoo is accessible to all our guests and community members. This boardwalk is an iconic new addition to our site, providing our guests with a unique canopy walk experience with a design that protects the environmentally sensitive area found at the core of our site. We are incredibly grateful for the incredible financial support from the Government of Canada, Government of Ontario and the City of Toronto in bringing this project to life. This partnership exemplifies what can be achieved when we work together to build a more inclusive future for our communities.”

Dolf DeJong, Toronto Zoo CEO.

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