Once a lifeless hydro corridor, the Meadoway is buzzing

For years, the hydro corridor cutting through Scarborough was a dry, empty strip of land. Powerlines dominated the landscape, and no one thought twice about what lay underneath—just weeds, dirt, and dust. But today, that same area is alive. The Meadoway now spans 16 kilometres, connecting parks, neighbourhoods, and river valleys. It’s a transformation rooted in community will and careful planning.

Trail users often pause in quiet wonder. “We always see deer down in here,” says Lisa Turnbull from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. It’s not rare to spot a mother deer guiding her fawn across the path. These animals now call the Meadoway home, tucked between city noise and the busy Ellesmere Road.

Beneath the powerlines, wildflowers bloom in swaths of colour. Among the grasses and blooms are bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. These insects flit from flower to flower, turning what was once barren soil into thriving habitat. With over 1,000 species of plants and animals already making their home here, nature has reclaimed this urban space.

The Meadoway isn’t just a meadow—it’s a network of walking and cycling trails that link seven river systems, fifteen parks, and thirteen neighbourhoods. It serves as a green artery from Toronto’s downtown all the way to Rouge National Urban Park. People coming here can escape the hustle, stepping into a peaceful stretch of nature nestled within urban life.

This resurgence wouldn’t be possible without strong partnerships. Hydro One, the City of Toronto, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and the Toronto and Region Conservation Foundation all stepped in. Funding from the Weston Family Foundation and work by countless community volunteers tied it all together. They didn’t just plant seeds—they planted hope for urban renewal.

Visitors now return again and again. They stroll shaded paths, pause by wildflower patches, and listen as birds sing overhead. It’s a chance to feel “transported out of the city,” as Turnbull puts it, even though hospital buildings and busy streets peek over the horizon. The Meadoway is proof that with vision and care, a forgotten corridor can become a vital green lifeline—buzzing, blooming and bringing people back to nature.