Runway Rivers

Ever canoed down a lost river painted on an airport runway? At YZD—the historic former Downsview airport lands—ancient waterways are reemerging in an extraordinary public art installation. Vibrant blue lines trace the paths of streams and creeks that once flowed around this land—waterways that served as vital connections long before the era of aviation. Hop into a specially designed wheeled canoe and follow these painted rivers across the Runway. As you glide along the tarmac, you'll journey through layers of Toronto’s history, from the natural watershed that first shaped this land to the technological innovations that defined it. Plus, step inside the YZD Experience Centre for a glimpse into the future—a visionary redevelopment that will redefine urban living. Runway Rivers turns YZD’s concrete canvas into a living map of memory, inviting you to experience the intersection of past, present, and future in an entirely new way.