On this adventure, Zenning with Zay & I check out the Abandoned Ontario Place Theme Park!
The Abandoned Ontario Place Theme Park remains a haunting landmark along Toronto’s waterfront. Opened on May 22, 1971, it was designed to celebrate Ontario’s identity through futuristic architecture and family-friendly attractions. Built on three man-made islands, the park quickly gained popularity with millions of visitors exploring its iconic Cinesphere, elevated pods, water rides, and play areas.
During the late 1970s and 1980s, new attractions like bumper boats and log flumes helped boost attendance. The Forum, once a central music venue, was eventually replaced by the larger Molson Amphitheatre in 1995. Architect Eberhard Zeidler’s bold modernist design gave Ontario Place a unique and memorable visual identity.
However, by the early 2000s, public interest had started to decline. Attendance dropped below one million visitors per year, and the province struggled to justify the park’s operating costs. On February 1, 2012, the Ontario government officially shut down the theme park portion after the 2011 season, citing financial concerns and low visitor numbers.
Since then, the Abandoned Ontario Place Theme Park has become a mix of dereliction and partial revival. In 2017, the eastern island was redeveloped into Trillium Park and the William G. Davis Trail, offering a new public space with walking paths and waterfront views. The Cinesphere and Budweiser Stage remain in use, but the western section of the park—once full of life—has been left fenced off and overgrown.
In 2019, the province signed a 95-year lease with a private developer to transform the site further. Plans include an indoor water park, luxury spa, adventure playground, and upgraded concert venue. However, many heritage advocates worry that the original architecture and cultural value will be lost. Meanwhile, the project's estimated cost has ballooned to over $2.2 billion, sparking public criticism.
Today, the Abandoned Ontario Place Theme Park stands at a crossroads. While some areas have been revitalized, much of its original charm remains hidden behind locked gates and crumbling walkways. Whether the redevelopment will honor its historic roots or erase them entirely is still uncertain.
Premier Doug Ford unveiled new redevelopment plans for Ontario Place during a June 24th 2025 press conference in Toronto. As part of the announcement, he revealed a new publicly owned parking facility will be added to the site.
The proposed designs feature five key zones: the Water’s Edge, Brigantine Cove, the Forum, the Marina, and the Mainland area.
“We’re transforming Ontario Place into a world-class destination for families and tourists,” said Ford. “Visitors will have easy access whether arriving by car, GO train, or via the Ontario Line’s Exhibition Station. These investments will keep 5,000 workers employed during uncertain economic times, including those brought on by President Trump’s tariffs, and will strengthen Toronto and Ontario’s tourism industry for generations to come.”
