The Pierre Lassonde Family Foundation is donating $25 million to the City of Toronto to create a new waterfront public art trail along the banks of the new mouth of the Don River in Toronto’s transformed Port Lands.

The contribution marks the single largest arts-related gift the city has ever received and includes $10 million to commission two landmark permanent art works, and up to $15 million to establish a new non-profit organization that will manage the art trail, with the intention of raising additional matching funds to sustain the organization over the long term.

Waterfront Toronto is building the parks, as part of the Port Lands Flood Protection Project. The art trail will be a free, open-air route and will be curated by a new non-profit organization to be endowed by this gift. Two permanent pieces – one by a leading Canadian artist and another by an international artist – will anchor the trail. A rotating cycle of contemporary installations from local, national and international artists will also be featured.

Pierre Lassonde is a Canadian businessman. In a statement last week,  he said, “if one wishes to have a profound and lasting impact on the wellbeing and happiness of Torontonians, the waterfront offers a multitude of philanthropic opportunities.”

A City staff report to Toronto City Council at its meeting of 19 and 20 July will seek authority to negotiate and enter into agreements to accept the public artwork donations in the coming months. If approved, the Pierre Lassonde Family Foundation will appoint an executive director for the new non-profit organization, to be called the Lassonde Art Trail, and launch an international competition to commission the two new signature art works, in partnership with the City and Waterfront Toronto.

“Toronto’s revitalized waterfront is becoming an art destination in itself,” said Chair of Waterfront Toronto Stephen Diamond. “This gift is transformational for Toronto’s waterfront and will contribute to making Villiers Island a major destination for all.”